Bishop's lack of concern disturbing

I am writing this message because I feel I can no longer be silent about the shortcomings and failure to lead by the head of the Joliet Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop J. Peter Sartain.

Your May 16 article regarding Catholic school mergers points out just one more failure on the part of the bishop to act appropriately.

First, I speak as a practicing Catholic. I am 79 years old, and have been a member of St. Alexander's parish in Villa Park for 73 years. I have been a pianist and organist for the church and served as choir director for 20 years. I still serve in the music ministry.

Some years ago, our pastor was arrested on charges of soliciting teen boys for sex on the Internet. He was dismissed from the parish and served time in prison. At the time, our Diocese was headed by Bishop Joseph Imesch. He was replaced by Mr. Sartain, who has virtually ignored our parish since he arrived. The parish was deeply hurt by the actions of the pastor, but Sartain has never done anything which might offer some healing.

He has not even seen fit to send an associate pastor to the parish in the roughly 10 years since this happened. Our present pastor, Rev. Tuan Van Nguyen, appointed by the bishop, has done a fine job, but it is certainly obvious that he could use some assistance.

Mr. Sartain has exhibited lack of strength by allowing that great school, Driscoll High School, to close, despite the concerned persons raising funds to save it. Our parish school has also been threatened for closing by the bishop, and has been attempting to raise funds to keep it open The bishop's lack of concern for these matters is most disturbing to all of us.

Henry Piermattei

Villa Park