Parents protest St. Saviour pastor — again
By Michèle De Meglio
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| Frustrated parents picket outside of St. Saviour Church. Photo by Ted Levin |
The battle at St. Saviour continues — this time with parents protesting during mass.
A group of frustrated parents picketed outside the church on July 19 to send a message to St. Saviour’s pastor, Rev. Daniel Murphy, and the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“We want to make the diocese aware that we do not approve of the church’s direction of letting the pastor run the school the way he sees fit without any transparency. It seems like he’s just a one-man show and, to me, it’s not the way a school should run,” said Dennis Palmetto, whose daughter attends St. Saviour Elementary School on Eighth Avenue in Park Slope.
The school has been in turmoil since parents learned of Murphy’s decision to dismiss Principal James Flanagan, who ledSt. Saviour for more than two decades.
Murphy has since appointed a new principal — Maura Lorenzen, the co-director of the Congregation Beth Elohim Early Childhood Center. Parents allege that the move reeks of cronyism, as Lorenzen is a member of the Parish Council, which is part of the decision-making process, according to an organizer of the protests.
“I just find it extremely disappointing that this was done in the poorest way possible for everyone involved,” said Cathy Lau Hunt, who has two daughters at St. Saviour. “There was a right way to do this, there was a successful way to do this and it just wasn’t done.”
“In the beginning, our hope was to reinstate Principal Flanagan for at least another year,” Palmetto said. Now, “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Instead, some parents are asking the Diocese of Brooklyn to remove Murphy.
“I feel that this is the right time to make a change,” Palmetto said.
Murphy did not return a call for comment by press time. He has previously told this paper, “We don’t publicly discuss our employees’ employment situation.”
Rev. Kieran Harrington, spokesperson for the diocese, said Murphy is currently in the fifth year of a six-year term at St. Saviour. At the end of that period, Murphy and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will have a “frank discussion” and decide whether Murphy should continue at St. Saviour or move to another parish.
In the meantime, Hunt offered a suggestion for how to ease tensions at St. Saviour and appease parents.
“What the people are hoping for is to at least bring Jim Flanagan back for six months so he can help Ms. Lorenzen transition,” Hunt said. “There should have been a successful [transition] plan in place. I understand that you want to implement change, but you have to implement change in a way that’s going to be successful.”
Harrington says Murphy makes all staffing decisions at St. Saviour.
A group of frustrated parents picketed outside the church on July 19 to send a message to St. Saviour’s pastor, Rev. Daniel Murphy, and the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“We want to make the diocese aware that we do not approve of the church’s direction of letting the pastor run the school the way he sees fit without any transparency. It seems like he’s just a one-man show and, to me, it’s not the way a school should run,” said Dennis Palmetto, whose daughter attends St. Saviour Elementary School on Eighth Avenue in Park Slope.
The school has been in turmoil since parents learned of Murphy’s decision to dismiss Principal James Flanagan, who ledSt. Saviour for more than two decades.
Murphy has since appointed a new principal — Maura Lorenzen, the co-director of the Congregation Beth Elohim Early Childhood Center. Parents allege that the move reeks of cronyism, as Lorenzen is a member of the Parish Council, which is part of the decision-making process, according to an organizer of the protests.
“I just find it extremely disappointing that this was done in the poorest way possible for everyone involved,” said Cathy Lau Hunt, who has two daughters at St. Saviour. “There was a right way to do this, there was a successful way to do this and it just wasn’t done.”
“In the beginning, our hope was to reinstate Principal Flanagan for at least another year,” Palmetto said. Now, “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Instead, some parents are asking the Diocese of Brooklyn to remove Murphy.
“I feel that this is the right time to make a change,” Palmetto said.
Murphy did not return a call for comment by press time. He has previously told this paper, “We don’t publicly discuss our employees’ employment situation.”
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In the meantime, Hunt offered a suggestion for how to ease tensions at St. Saviour and appease parents.
“What the people are hoping for is to at least bring Jim Flanagan back for six months so he can help Ms. Lorenzen transition,” Hunt said. “There should have been a successful [transition] plan in place. I understand that you want to implement change, but you have to implement change in a way that’s going to be successful.”
Harrington says Murphy makes all staffing decisions at St. Saviour.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
M. Haigney wrote on Jul 23, 2009 12:30 AM:
" I'm one of those picketing and I'm just as angry as Millie obviously is. However, I think it's wrong to assume motives and present suspicions -- no matter how strong -- as facts.
In this situation, actions must be assessed. But assailing character is unfair to the pastor and his appointee.
Don't get me wrong: I think Fr. Murphy's decision not to renew Mr. Flanagan is terrible. I think his failure to acknowledge Mr. Flanagan's contribution to our school and our parish in any significant way is unconscionable. As a parishioner and a parent of two SSES students, I feel compelled to demand honesty and transparency regarding the dismissal of Mr. Flanagan and the selection of his chosen replacement. And I think all parishioners and parents of students should sign our petition and let Fr. Murphy know you share our concerns, our frustration and our anger.
However, though it's certainly understandable, there's no justification for treating the pastor or Ms. Lorenzen with the kind of unfairness and disrespect with which Mr. Flanagan has been treated.
Catholicism teaches that we should not judge anyone's character. And it's impossible to predict anyone's future actions. So I urge everyone involved in this situation to stay focused on the facts. It's dangerous and detrimental to us all to do otherwise. "
In this situation, actions must be assessed. But assailing character is unfair to the pastor and his appointee.
Don't get me wrong: I think Fr. Murphy's decision not to renew Mr. Flanagan is terrible. I think his failure to acknowledge Mr. Flanagan's contribution to our school and our parish in any significant way is unconscionable. As a parishioner and a parent of two SSES students, I feel compelled to demand honesty and transparency regarding the dismissal of Mr. Flanagan and the selection of his chosen replacement. And I think all parishioners and parents of students should sign our petition and let Fr. Murphy know you share our concerns, our frustration and our anger.
However, though it's certainly understandable, there's no justification for treating the pastor or Ms. Lorenzen with the kind of unfairness and disrespect with which Mr. Flanagan has been treated.
Catholicism teaches that we should not judge anyone's character. And it's impossible to predict anyone's future actions. So I urge everyone involved in this situation to stay focused on the facts. It's dangerous and detrimental to us all to do otherwise. "
Food for Thought wrote on Jul 30, 2009 2:21 PM:
" How many children does Jim Flanagan have and has he ever been married???? How refreshing to think a Principal who is married and is a parent.....with expertise in Special Education. For sure big changes are coming to SSES, it's about time. "
Joe wrote on Jul 30, 2009 6:54 PM:
" Food for Thought....I think the answer may be as many children as Rita Lavin. The big difference is that there are thousands of children whom Mr. Flanagan has positively influenced while Rita has just admittedly ruined our children's sacrements. Hopefully big changes will be coming at Saint Saviour Parish as well and the Bishop will move up that "frank discussion". "
Current Parent of 3 in St. Sav wrote on Jul 30, 2009 7:47 PM:
" Dear Food for Thought,
How refreshing it would be to have a new principal with a thimble of experience teaching Middle School! Whatta a delight it would be to retain our professional principal who still makes time to teach a class! Wouldn't it be a cool drink of water to have our children under the guidance of someone who has spent the last quarter century filling our elementary school with the Holy Spirit while at the same time maintaining intellectual rigor! "
How refreshing it would be to have a new principal with a thimble of experience teaching Middle School! Whatta a delight it would be to retain our professional principal who still makes time to teach a class! Wouldn't it be a cool drink of water to have our children under the guidance of someone who has spent the last quarter century filling our elementary school with the Holy Spirit while at the same time maintaining intellectual rigor! "
Current Parent and Parishoner wrote on Aug 1, 2009 11:39 AM:
" To Food for Thought -
I don't quite understand what Mr.Flanagan's marital status and whether he has children has to do with him being principal ? Obviously it hasn't hindered him from 25+ years of great success. As a matter of fact as I believe he is the first lay person to be principal. Obviously none of those nuns before him were married or had children. We also have many excellent teachers some who have no children and some who are not married. I don't believe it has any bearing on the quality of their teaching or the faith that is such an important part of our curriculum.
More interesting a question is if Ms.Lorenzen has children how many of her children are Catholic school educated? As I understand none.
If you say it's because of her opinion of Mr.Flanagan then why not any of the other nearby Catholic Scools?
Can't say it's the tuition because Ms. Lorenzon served on Fr.Murphy's finance committee and was a staunch proponent for RAISING our tuition.
A point that Mr.Flanagan has always been an ally to the parents on because he knows that we struggle to make the sacrifice to get our children an exemplary Catholic School education at SSES.
Here's the thing , either you believe in a Catholic School education or you don't. You either make the sacrifice or you don't. It might seem to us parents that Ms.Lorenzen doesn't.
Mr.Flanagan has a wonderful way with children and is a deeply faithful man.The children like and respect him.He visits all of the classrooms and he still teaches.
Unlike our pastor who does not visit the school because in his own words "the children drain him emotionally ".
Personally I'm not looking for refreshing, I am looking for the same great proven education that I signed up for 7 years ago when I chose to enroll my child at SSES. I am looking for a principal who parent or not understands the struggle and sacrifice the we parents make to pay our tuition. I am looking for a principal who knows every childs name and encourages them to be their best.I am looking for aprincipal who is faithful and keeps our Catholic faith as an important factor in all of the teachings.
And before this terrible situation I knew I had all that in Mr.Flanagan.
What I am looking for now however is a pastor who can address the parents, give us the respect of answers that we deserve.A pastor who can be truthful and tell us his "vision " for our school.A pastor who can heal not divide. A pastor who can treat us as the valuable human beings that we are. a pastor who can visit our children and show them love and compassion. A pastor who can help mend ou broken hearts and broken parish.
The pastor may have the final say but what I learned in Catholic schools is that it it is the people who make up the Church.
I pray that the Bishops hear our pleas and our prayers and help heal our parish.
. "
I don't quite understand what Mr.Flanagan's marital status and whether he has children has to do with him being principal ? Obviously it hasn't hindered him from 25+ years of great success. As a matter of fact as I believe he is the first lay person to be principal. Obviously none of those nuns before him were married or had children. We also have many excellent teachers some who have no children and some who are not married. I don't believe it has any bearing on the quality of their teaching or the faith that is such an important part of our curriculum.
More interesting a question is if Ms.Lorenzen has children how many of her children are Catholic school educated? As I understand none.
If you say it's because of her opinion of Mr.Flanagan then why not any of the other nearby Catholic Scools?
Can't say it's the tuition because Ms. Lorenzon served on Fr.Murphy's finance committee and was a staunch proponent for RAISING our tuition.
A point that Mr.Flanagan has always been an ally to the parents on because he knows that we struggle to make the sacrifice to get our children an exemplary Catholic School education at SSES.
Here's the thing , either you believe in a Catholic School education or you don't. You either make the sacrifice or you don't. It might seem to us parents that Ms.Lorenzen doesn't.
Mr.Flanagan has a wonderful way with children and is a deeply faithful man.The children like and respect him.He visits all of the classrooms and he still teaches.
Unlike our pastor who does not visit the school because in his own words "the children drain him emotionally ".
Personally I'm not looking for refreshing, I am looking for the same great proven education that I signed up for 7 years ago when I chose to enroll my child at SSES. I am looking for a principal who parent or not understands the struggle and sacrifice the we parents make to pay our tuition. I am looking for a principal who knows every childs name and encourages them to be their best.I am looking for aprincipal who is faithful and keeps our Catholic faith as an important factor in all of the teachings.
And before this terrible situation I knew I had all that in Mr.Flanagan.
What I am looking for now however is a pastor who can address the parents, give us the respect of answers that we deserve.A pastor who can be truthful and tell us his "vision " for our school.A pastor who can heal not divide. A pastor who can treat us as the valuable human beings that we are. a pastor who can visit our children and show them love and compassion. A pastor who can help mend ou broken hearts and broken parish.
The pastor may have the final say but what I learned in Catholic schools is that it it is the people who make up the Church.
I pray that the Bishops hear our pleas and our prayers and help heal our parish.
. "
Gertrude wrote on Aug 1, 2009 4:29 PM:
" My two children were in the school more than a decade ago. Mr. Flanagan still knows their names and often asks for them when I meet him on the street.
I can truly say from my personal experience that Mr. Flanagan is a model of the Good Shepherd who care for his sheep, each and every one of them. "
I can truly say from my personal experience that Mr. Flanagan is a model of the Good Shepherd who care for his sheep, each and every one of them. "
Joseph wrote on Aug 12, 2009 11:06 PM:
" Jeremiah 23:1-6
Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the Lord.
Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow, there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds from them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble, and none shall be missing, say the Lord.
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David, as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him: “The Lord our justice.” "
Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the Lord.
Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow, there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds from them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble, and none shall be missing, say the Lord.
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David, as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him: “The Lord our justice.” "
John H wrote on Aug 25, 2009 5:35 PM:
" You just can't make this stuff up. Our Pastor, who claims to be bringing our school and our parish in a new direction actually states on his homily hotline that he cannot give a homily on two days a year, February 3 (the day the music died) and August 16 (the day Elvis overdosed). And some of our fellow parishioners, who are traditional catholics, wonder why we question Father Murphy's decisions ? "
But you do wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:07 AM:
" John "H", you state " you just can't make this stuff up", however, intentionally twisting words, taking words out of context and misquoting statements to bolster your cause is, in effect making stuff up. It's the dog days of summer, just chill out and perhaps enjoy a cup of sHerbert. "
John H wrote on Aug 26, 2009 5:05 PM:
" Did you listen to the homily hotline ? Guess not cause if you did, you wouldn't think there was any misquoting going on "
reply to John H wrote on Aug 27, 2009 9:20 AM:
" No, I see no purpose in calling the homily hotline since I actually attend Mass and listen to homilies for the purpose of relating the gospel to my life, not in a self serving attempt to trip someone up over their own words. "
John H wrote on Aug 27, 2009 5:52 PM:
" Which part of the gospel compares how Bernie Madoff has been treated to how Jesus treated the Apostles when he first saw them after his resurrection ? Perhaps if the homilies addressed the actual gospel, as opposed to serving as a vehicle to push one's "progressive" catholism on the entire parish, then more actual parishioners of Saint Saviour wouldn't be forced to review the Bulletin weekly to see when Father Cush or Father Tighe are saying mass "
Reply to reply wrote on Sep 17, 2009 12:07 AM:
" Who is this person who says "you make stuff up" when the Elvis homily is on line for anyone to hear? "
mcwillem wrote on Sep 18, 2009 11:43 AM:
" The Elvis non homily was posted on line (youtube) by a parishioner solely for the purpose of stirring up trouble in the parish. Otherwise, that particular non homily could only be heard by someone personally dialing the hotline phone number him/herself. "
Mcgentry wrote on Sep 24, 2009 9:58 PM:
" Captain Obvious Mcwillern -- It's a public broadcast, it's a public homily line. And thanks for letting us know about stirring up trouble - I would think that a pastor who fractures and divides his parishioners everywhere he goes knows something about stirring up trouble. Thanks "
McJohn H wrote on Sep 24, 2009 10:49 PM:
" So wait....was the homily hotline a joke or is it as embarrasing as mcwillem acknowledges. Otherwise why would it stir up trouble in the parish. And I thought there was no trouble in the parish. But then again, if there is no trouble in the parish why would we need a mediator. "
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Millie wrote on Jul 22, 2009 7:38 PM: