ALL SHARED EXPERIENCES
All shared experiences are from the time this website was founded, up until the resignation of Fr. Peter Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous148:
Does anyone think it is unforgivable that our Cardinal has yet to communicate directly with the people of St. Frances de Chantal parish? On Christmas Eve, it will be two full weeks since the story of our disgraceful pastor became widespread, public knowledge. Our Cardinal has time to comment after Mass on Sunday, Dec 13, saying that he “admired’’ Miqueli’s decision to step down." (NY Post) Our Cardinal further stated, “It’s horrible, isn’t it?” and “It’s dark, it’s somber, it’s dreary. I’m sad for the good people at that parish." (NY Post - Dec 14) Apparently, although he is "sad" for us, he feels no obligation to communicate with us to assure us that he is in the process of selecting an interim pastor for our parish. He hasn't found it necessary to send us a message of support and encouragement. Is it even too much to let us know he is praying for us? We were abused by Miqueli and now we are ignored by Miqueli's boss. I am frequently shocked, but never surprised by the abuse the shepherds are willing to inflict on their flock. We'd be better off if we actually WERE sheep. At least they'd value us for our wool.
Submitted by Anonymous147:
The "malcontents" of St. Frances de Chantal Parish have had their hands forced and now the story is public. God help and save us from what I expect will be the wrath of Cardinal Dolan and ADNY authoritarian and autocrat, Msgr. Greg Mustaciuolo who is the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, friend of Miqueli and all around power-hungry pipsqueak. Let's see who they send to St. Frances de Chantal and if things can get any worse. If that is possible, those two will make it happen.
Submitted by Anonymous146:
To one and all, please do not be swayed by the words of Joseph Zwilling and any agent of the Archdiocese of New York CLAIMING that there is no evidence. This is a huge spin being put on everything that they consume and spit back out to us. Yes, audits have been conducted and no evidence was found. However, those audits were conducted BEFORE Peter Miqueli came to SFdC. Zwilling and Cardinal Dolan are omitting that important piece of information. Ms. Gudin, the former girlfriend of Keith Crist did not meet with the Archdiocese because she was asked to come alone. Frankly, I would not have gone alone either. Peter Miqueli has stated that he was untouchable because of friends in high places and something big that he could hold over the Archdiocese. Yes, he definitely has personal friends on the Priests Personnel Board. Some of these and other insiders have been referred to as the Lavender Mafia. "Lavender" would suggest strongly that they are gay or sympathetic to gay priests. As for what I have seen, heard and read, Mafia says a mouthful and I believe that a handful of the Priest Personnel Board rule with an iron fist and at least one of them considers himself Capo de Tutti Capi. This many yields TREMENDOUS power in so many arenas within the Archdiocese - with little experience or skill - that it is beyond frightening. Especially in this Year of Mercy, expect none of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy to be at the forefront with these Archdiocesan princes and kings. Their game is power and politics where absolute power is their's and it has corrupted them and the hierarchy of the Archdiocese absolutely. And if as Catholic Militant reported, the reason Peter Miqueli was given his first pastorship is correct, he is the lowest of human beings if he accepted a bribe to stay mum on possibly the worst sin of all.
Submitted by Anonymous145:
I am a parishioner of the parish and have read all these accusations and they are absolutely awful if they are true and anyone involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. BUT........ The longer this story goes on the more it seems that there is no actual proof of any of these accusations other than one woman who said she has it and was going to show it but backed out because the archdiocese changed their agreement. That seems weak. Mr. Voris you seem to have all the information on this and make extremely strong accusations without showing one ounce of proof (other than a canceled check which quite frankly means nothing). All it would take is to show one picture, email,text or any piece of evidence that everyone claims exists yet are no where to be found and this would be an open and closed case. But....the evidence is no where to be found and I am sure that if it did exist it would be plastered over every media outlet in the tri state area. Let us not forget that we live in America where you are innocent until proven guilty. But again, your entire function seems to be bashing the Catholic Church with claims that are completely unfounded. The longer this story goes on with no actual evidence the less credible these claims become and is starting to look like everything is based on a scorned ex girlfriend who appears to be less than credible. I am sure your next video will claim that the Pope probably knew about it as well. Please produce one single piece of evidence that so many people claim to have otherwise the people who filed the lawsuit should probably retain another lawyer who will be defending them when they are getting sued. I am sure this post will not make your review since it does not fit your anti catholic agenda.
>> There are details in your submission that need clarification. First of all, this website is not affiliated with Michael Voris and Church Militant. They have taken it upon themselves to follow this story, report, and investigate it. We have posted their findings on this site because it is relevant to our cause. We are very appreciative and grateful for his and Church Militant's contributions, but this website and its moderator do not have contact with Mr. Voris and Church Militant. Second, the cancelled check is absolutely relevant. Fr. Miqueli had no business or any reason to write a check for himself, especially for such a large amount of money. When we began our mission back in 2013 and founded this website in February of 2014, all we asked was that Cardinal Dolan remove Fr. Miqulei from our parish because he was not a good fit for our parish and was not the spiritual leader we needed. However, the Archdiocese failed to do anything, and so he stayed here. As his presence in our parish progressed, we learned that he was not only just a man with a bad attitude and poor leadership shills. We never went out looking for information. Anything that we have brought against Fr. Miqueli and the Archdiocese regarding his sexual escapades and his past of embezzling money was brought to us. The longer that Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese left him here, the more information was shared with us. This forced our hand to file a lawsuit to both save our parish and force the Archdiocese to act. That is why we stand by our convictions against Fr. Miqueli and the Archdiocese. Keith's girlfriend, as well as our parish, want to see justice served. We would not have put in years of effort into our cause if there was nothing substantial to fight for. Lastly, we are anything but anti-Catholic. All that we want at the end of this is to have a stronger church, a church that is honest with its parishioners and is truly centered around the faith and not money or cover-ups. It is by the Archdiocese and Cardinal Dolan's unwillingness to step in and rectify the situation, that we were forced to go to the media, which some may see as us being anti-Catholic. I can guarantee you that we are all faithful parishioners who simply want to return to having a place of worship that is not scarred by corruption and scandal. Some of those essential in this cause have been parishioners for over 50+ years. The dedication that we have to our parish is not anti-Catholic, but shows that we are strong in our faith and in our belief of what the Archdiocese of New York and the Catholic Church needs to rectify to truly return the faith the forefront.
Submitted by Anonymous144:
I have waited 15 years for this. God Bless the the people of your parish.
Submitted by Anonymous143:
As someone who knew Miqueli during his years at the seminary, it was evident to classmates and staff that he was unfit for priestly service. Despite information known knew about before and after ordination, he was allowed to proceed and even become a pastor. He was "right to life" and conservative in his attitude, both of which were tickets to ordination.
Now we all suffer the poor decisions of those responsible for his ordination and for not challenging him once it was evident there were issues following ordination. As is often said about known terrorists after an attack: someone knew something and should have come forward. Well, they knew, many priests knew, and they buried their heads in the sand. The church gets what it deserves.
Submitted by Anonymous142:
I am a certified public accountant and an attorney.
The audit will be very challenging to perform, because accurate records were not kept.
The auditors will be forced to use indirect methods to determine income.
I suspect that peter will not cooperate by detailing all of his expenditures. (The likely source for his expenditures in excess of his known resources is the collection basket.) He may refuse to talk because he does not want to incriminate himself.
The witnesses concerning Peter's expenditures need to be interviewed and cooperate with the auditors. The witnesses may not talk to the auditors.
The church's audit is likely to conclude that they are unable to express an opinion as to the accuracy of the financial statements because of lack of internal controls and inadequate records.
The criminal investigation, which can use the grand jury to obtain evidence, can compel witnesses to testify and provide records.
Another observation, the Church should have internal controls in place to catch parishes that have less than desirable internal controls. The fact that the Church did not find these internal control problems using its own systems is disturbing.
How may other parishes are being cheated?
Submitted by Anonymous141:
My heart goes out to your parishioners. I live in Brick, NJ. The pastor of my Catholic church, St. Martha's, Point Pleasant was recently arrested for sexually assaulting a minor in Trenton. What on earth has happened to the Catholic church in America? I drove past your pastor's house here in Brick tonight. The house is dark, but there is a large SUV parked in the driveway. It bears New York license plates. I will keep your parish apprised of any future activity I see. I am so sorry for what you have had to endure.
Submitted by Anonymous140:
Resignation is not enough in this case! Criminal charges need to be filed and time should be served. Cardinal Dolan should also step down and face charges as well. Enough is enough!!
Submitted by Anonymous139:
I would just like to say how relieved I am that Father Miqueli has stepped down. I am so happy for the St. Frances de Chantal family and hope that you all can begin to pick up the pieces and take back your church. I truly hope you are able to recoup all of the funds that are due your wonderful parish. I have met many of you in the past while visiting your church. I know that there are so many good people here who have gone through Hell these past three years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless all of you and give you the strength to continue with your battle.
Submitted by Anonymous138:
1011 has a long history of shutting down the voices of parishioner dissent and 'kicking the can down the road' in order to placate concerns about corrupt and immoral priests and Archdiocesan employees. In forbidding open discussion regarding irregular activities such as those at your Parish, 1011 has, until now, been able to move those they employ around to different sites (like chess pieces) in order to cover up the truth. However, in the age of the Internet Highway, it will become almost impossible for 1011 to continue their M.O. I was quickly able to find BOTH Peter Miqueli and Keith Crist as residences of the Cornell Street home in Brick, NJ simply by doing a Google search. Even if no monies have been skimmed from your Parish collection plates by Peter Miqueli for his personal use, why would the Archdiocese allow their Priest to cohabitate with another man (or woman) when he has taken the vow of celibacy? Even the appearance of impropriety is enough for the Archdiocese to have immediately forced Peter Miqueli to cease and desist. One question I do have for this forum: Why have the New York Times and WSJ been deafeningly silent on this story? Thoughts?
Submitted by Anonymous137:
This is not the only sodomite scandal that Dolan and Mustaciuolo are covering up. Readers of this site should familiarize themselves with what has been happening at Church of Our Saviour in Manhattan at 36th Street and Park Avenue. The pastor, Father Robbins is living with a catamite there on money from the collection plate. Dolan and his corrupt 1011 First Avenue bureaucrats have been told of this scandalous and criminal behavior for years and they have done nothing--nothing--to stop it.
Submitted by Anonymous136:
I was saddened that not a single mention was made by the Archdiocese to the moral accusations. It is sad that the moral authority in New York is absent. The Archdiocese in its own press release failed to address the moral scandal and is only interested if the law was broken. It seems that God's Law or even the invocation of Jesus' name is too much to expect from the Archdiocese. New York deserves better.
Submitted by Anonymous135:
Maybe the IRS should ask... How does a Priest making $22,000 per year amass a net worth of over a $1,000,000. Are any of your parishioners connected to the IRS or the Parish could be whistle blower.
Submitted by Anonymous134:
As a Bronxite and a Catholic I've followed this horrible situation for a very long time. The torment and grief that your parish has undergone really tests one's faith. I'm happy that the immoral, and corrupt person is no longer there to prologue the torture. You've won the battle. No other parish will ever accept him. All anyone has to do is google his name and all his sleaze will be evident to all. I'm concerned that forging ahead with the lawsuit will result in a phyrric victory. It will be difficult to prove since he stole cash. Taking the accomplishment of his departure is victory enough. Taking on the archdiocese will be grueling and painful. They are very powerful, and have a lot to coverup, and they will spend millions doing it.
>> Yes we have won the battle, but the war is not over. Allowing Fr. Miqueli and the Archdiocese to get off without any punishment is exactly why this issue has arisen in the first place. The Archdiocese needs to learn that these schemes and coverups that they once implemented are not tolerated and deserve punishment. We know that it will be long and grueling, but we want to make sure that something like this does not happen anywhere else in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese thinks that they are powerful and untouchable because of the essence that comes with being a priest. However, there comes a time when a coverup can only hold back so much.
Submitted by Anonymous133:
Anonymous126 mentioned the problem in Googling the address (417 Cornell Dr., Brick, NJ 08723). If you look at the smaller streets around that wrong address placement, you'll find Cornell Dr. The mailboxes in front of the houses have house numbers visible, so it's easy to figure out which is his. This should help: https://goo.gl/maps/LK71f5hCgNN2
Submitted by Anonymous132:
I am very sorry for the upheaval your lovely parish has gone through and co tines to go through but I applaud your perseverance. You are great people of faith, to continue to see this ugly situation through to its current state. Don't stop now; Miqueli may have resigned but justice hasn't been served. Whether we are parishioners or not, all of us members of the Archdiocese of NewYork are owed MANY explanations by our Cardinal. His behavior in regards to this situation is unacceptable. If the media is smart, they will continue to follow this story and expose all the ugly truth.
Submitted by Anonymous131:
I pray for your parish at this holy time of the year. I can't believe all the terrible things that this so-called pastor has done. He should be defrocked immediately, return all the money he squandered and be required to do some kind of community service. If not, he and his boyfriend should be incarcerated !
Submitted by Anonymous130:
The pastor resigned tonight. A letter was read by Deacon Coppola.I feel terrible for both Fr. Steven and Fr. Dennis. They are good priests and have done more than Fr. Miqueli in the time that he has been at our parish.The Archdoicese needs to make a visit to our parish and speak to u.They should be asking,where are the financial reports that should be provided yearly. Come on, the Archdoicese is a business, and why have we , the parish, not made aware of our financial standing. This priest is emotionally not well , as well as physical So many bouts of pneumonia and lengthy vacations,never mind he is not around for most of the week. He chose NOT to get to know the people of this parish Fr. Miqueli brought in his own people.Who oversees the job he is entrusted to? In my job, if I had anything like this, I would be fired. What has taken tha Archdiocese sooooo long to get to the bottom of this? They knew about this from more than a year ago, never mind the parishioners of Roosevelt Island.All I can say is shame on the administration of the Archdiocese, and how the heck can you draw people back into the church, when you can,t even contain your own,and especially when you had been informed. This is extremely discouraging as a Catholic. Come clean !
Submitted by Anonymous129:
As someone who had been very much a part of SFdC for more than ten years and having since moved on, my heart is broken for the good people of this parish. They deserved much better than what they received from Michael Sullivan (who has since left the priesthood and has married - no big loss) and Peter Miqueli. I cannot see how the Archdiocese can keep him as pastor any longer. Even though one is innocent until proven guilty, he has unfortunately lost all credibility after being the poster boy for bad behavior two days running in the NY Post. I hope and pray the Archdiocese will quickly send a good and holy priest to Saint Frances who can begin the healing process that is so desperately needed.
Submitted by Anonymous128:
Looks like the ADNY is going to fight hard, starting to look like a real cover-up
http://archny.org/news/flocknote-on-st-frances-de-chantal-news-story
Submitted by Anonymous127:
Dear Friends
Although I am not a member of your parrish I am a catholic. I have bern reading about this tragic situation you are all experiencing. I am in a word HORRIFIED at the behavior of the archdiocese led by Timothy Dolan. I am so sorry that your donations that you all have worked so hard to earn fell into the hands of a hypocrite pastor. I am also sorry that his demonic behavior has damaged the good priests and the well being of your church. I pray that you all stay strong and stick together to preserve the spirit and love you want the church to represent for you and your family. SHAME on Timothy Dolan and his staff. At the very least he should have removed this shameful man from his role during this investigation. I have no confidence in Timothy Dolan. Where is his moral compass? I stand in solidarity.
Respectfully
Marianne Birarelli
Boston Ma
Submitted by Anonymous126:
Interesting! I tried to locate 417 Cornell Drive in Brick on Google maps - and it insists 417 Cornell Drive is located at a commercial property on Brick Blvd. (Timeline Collectibles)! Even Google is covering for this guy.
Submitted by Anonymous125:
4:30 rosary tmrw (12/12/15) in the chapel. Come pray for our future.
Submitted by Anonymous124:
It is very sad for the parish. What an utter disgrace. Get him out. Prosecute to the fullest extent the law allows. Every Catholic in New York should write a letter to Cardinal Dolan.
Submitted by Anonymous123:
What a disgrace our Archdioces is.
The Archdiocese has long known the problems of Fr.Miqueli. The Archdiocese wants and preaches to help those that are ill, yet they do not help their own. What does Fr. Miqueli have over the Archdiocese. It sounds like a coverup to me.
The Archdiocese and CardinalDolan is to blame for what has happened to St. Frances.
They allowed this behavior to continue form Roosevelt Island to St. Frances.
Fr. Miqueli does not deserve to wear the collar. He has to be removed and never have any control EVER again in a parish.
Submitted by Anonymous122:
What in the world is happening?THE USCCB is supposed to have a O tolerance policy... it seems to only apply to those in the church who they dont fear would expose them for the traitors and pharisee's that they are!This policy includes any misbehavior!!! Every where good holy priest are being persecuted, especially if they are orthodox in their beliefs! you see Fr Peter is not the exception to the rule! He just can't hide his contempt and disdain as well as the others!!! If we believers in the past had not raised our voices all our statues icons paintings tabernacles would have been long gone.outward signs of our inward Faith.they r still trying to protestantize us
Submitted by Anonymous121:
When I think of our pastor, the song "I get by with a little help from my friends" comes to mind. With all the information that has been brought to the archdiocese , they have done nothing to get him out. Cardinal Dolan, Msgr. Mustaciuolo, Cardinal Obrien,and any other priest/friend that knows what he is up to, you should stop protecting him. The truth always comes out.
Submitted by Anonymous120:
The article printed in Roosevelt Island's paper The Wire, is eye opening to say the least. I am sure if the private bank accounts of Fr. Miqueli were audited, a criminal investigation would be warranted. How could Miqueli have bought a home in the Jersey shore, for over $240,000, mortgage free??? Could it be from stipends??!!! Wondering how much cash he also took from his former parish in the name of stipends? Remember, this is the same priest who SIGNED a contract to finance over $1,000 a month to pay for housing for his boyfriend, Keith Crist. The parishioners of SFdC saw a copy of that contract this past summer where Miqueli admits to an annual salary of $30,000. Are the parishioners of SFdC paying the rent of Miqueli's boyfriend,Keith Crist?? The parishioners of St. Frances de Chantal have not had a financial report in the 3 years since Miqueli has been pastor. WHERE IS IT??? Why hasn't the pastoral staff at the rectory produced a financial report? Does the pastoral staff benefit financially in any way for NOT publishing this report to the parishioners of SFdC??? I urge ALL parishioners to read the article from The Wire. Just go back to the home page of this web site and click to the article. We MUST keep asking questions! Since Miqueli REFUSES to speak to parishioners on these topics, I advise all parishioners to write to Cardinal Dolan and demand an independent audit! We just want answers!
Submitted by Anonymous119:
When are we going to get a financial report? Parishioners have received letters and envelopes to give more money every week. Who is running this parish? We deserve to have a financial report It is the responsibility of our pastor to give us this report. Yearly! How can he ask for more money, when we do not know the financial standing of St.Frances? Until then, we will not increase our collection. We have every right to receive this information,and the pastor is required to provide this yearly. The Archdiocese has let this slip until January, but it is 3 years too late.
Submitted by Anonymous118:
Great Googly Moogly! Our pastor has pneumonia yet again! That's three times in his three-year tenure. AND - it has been reported - he's got COPD on top of that! Coal miners in the 19th century had better lungs than our pastor. "What's next?", one might ask.
Submitted by Anonymous117:
One thing that I have always admired about SFdC Church is its music ministry. In past years, the music program was second to none. Big events like The Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday and Christmas were nothing short of spectacular. Also, there were performances of incredibly high caliber throughout the year. People would come from miles around to worship with us.
Now, under the direction of this buffoon Miqueli, it has stopped. Our music director left, and of course Miqueli has not even begun to look for a new one (although he is telling people he is looking). He has someone coming in to do weddings and funerals and the cantor is plucking notes on the piano during Sunday mass. Its all very sad,
All this makes you wonder why he is still there? Who is he able to blackmail in the Archdiocese so they won't get rid of his sorry self?
Bottom line is SFDC, one of the most thriving parishes in the ADNY is ruined. The Archdiocese of NY just stood around and watched it happen. Then they wonder why nobody trusts them, donations have ceased and people are leaving Catholic parishes and schools.
Sad, very sad!
Submitted by Anonymous116:
Tues, October 27, 2015
When is the last time there was a parish celebration at St. Frances de Chantal? Yes, we celebrate Mass daily. Yes, Christmas and Easter are welcome liturgical celebrations to which we bring our own personal joy.
My question is, when is the last time our parishioners gathered to enjoy each other’s company under a parish roof? Do you remember the joy with which we descended into the lower church lobby after Easter Vigil Mass? We enjoyed some light refreshment together. The RCIA candidates who were baptized and confirmed brought their families. Choir members sang some fun songs. Deacon Coppola beat the tambourine to our “horse & chariots” chorus from the Exodus reading. This was not an expensive undertaking, yet the joy we felt was as if it cost a fortune.
For many years, there was a ‘Thank You’ dinner provided by the parish for volunteers - the Eucharistic ministers, lectors, blood drive workers, choir members, rectory staff – all were invited to enjoy an evening together, helping themselves to hot chafing dishes provided by the pastor. It was not lavish, but it was fun and we felt appreciated…and WE appreciated it.
Sadly, our current pastor spends much more energy pitting his parishioners against one another than fostering good will and spiritual amity among them. He’s an evil magician: “Don’t watch my hands counting your cash in the privacy of my room. Look over there at those people (who speak the truth about me). THEY’RE the evil ones.”
In the Oct 25 bulletin, our pastor once again attacked his parishioners who simply want to bid a fond farewell to Father Antony, a good and holy priest who served our parish and our spiritual needs for all his tenure here. Fr. Miqueli maligned them as “a few malcontents” as he tried to justify yet another of his many evil deeds. As usual, he created an imaginary situation where “a woman came to the rectory”. As usual, the woman was “upset” – not, heaven forefend! by something Miqueli did, but by the acts of “a few malcontents” who are, of COURSE, acting against his good and kind self.
Questions: If so “few” of us create the problem in our parish, why are the pews so empty? Why are so many former SFdC parishioners filling the pews at St. Benedict? Why is Fr. Norton so very aware of the horror that St. Frances has become? Why are our collections so low? Why has he had to empty the rectory of eyewitnesses to his deeds? Why have so many people who go to him for confession reported abuse & unkindness in the confessional? This “priest” abuses everyone who happens to be in front of him when he’s in a bad mood. And, believe me, the abused among us number many more than a “few”.
At the end of his harangue in the bulletin, Fr. Miqueli had the unmitigated audacity to solicit donations “in Fr. Anthony’s (sic) name.” And – WHADDYA KNOW? – the people who want to donate should see MIQUELI!! He doesn’t even PRETEND that Fr. Antony is going to get the money. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING CHUTZPAH!!!! (And, throughout his scolding, Fr. Miqueli misspelled Fr. Antony’s name SEVEN times. Can you believe this detestable serpent cannot even bother to get the name right. What a peach!!!)
And now, this repulsive cleric has been mandated by the Archdiocese to conduct a “Sharing Our Gifts” campaign. In his letter dated October 26, Fr. Miqueli states that, “as you may know, our parish is currently conducting” this campaign. Huh? We never heard of it until we received a postcard in the mail about it on Friday, Oct 23. Apparently, our lazybones pastor was slow off the mark and the ADNY initiated the mailing over his slothful head.
In his October 26 letter, Fr. Miqueli repeated the lie he has told MANY times. He states that we are in the black for the first time in “20 years”. I believe Michael Sullivan, several parish managers, and an ADNY auditor from 2010 are in a position to dispute this mendacious declaration. Apparently, our pastor employs the method of propaganda attributed to Joseph Goebbels: “Repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
If “all our bills are paid in full”, why did he solicit money at last weekend’s Masses to purchase flowers for next weekend? At Sunday Mass on Oct 18, the flowers were half-dead on the altar and - UNBELIEVABLY! – the same dead flowers were on the altar on Oct 25. If we are so flush, why can't the parish buy fresh flowers once a week? Isn’t that a “cost of doing business” in a church? Especially one with its “bills paid in full”? This pearl of a pastor even puts the bite on local funeral homes to buy flowers for events like Confirmation – and NEVER gives credit to the businesses for their contribution. Further, he charges a $150 fee to the Confirmation candidates. Yet the parish can’t put fresh flowers on the altar of the Lord?
The misery continues! Joy, peace and spirituality will elude us until the ADNY removes this malignancy from our dear parish.
Submitted by Anonymous115:
Tues, October 20, 2015
Who put the bee in Fr. Miqueli’s bonnet today?!
Before the 9 AM Mass, he came through the street doors of the church in an aggravated state and went hurriedly to the sacristy, speaking to none of the parishioners gathered before the Mass. After vesting, he again bypassed the parishioners without a greeting, swung the door open angrily, let it swing shut and went into the church, took up a Missal from a pew and proceeded to the altar to celebrate Mass. What a blessed inspiration!!!
A number of parishioners had already been in the front pews praying the Rosary when Fr. Miqueli arrived to offer Mass. They saw none of his pastoral temper tantrum. Yet, they remarked after Mass that Fr. Miqueli appeared to be in an irritated state all through the Mass. It was noticed that he did not bestow his customary blessing on the baby who attends the 9:00Mass every day with his grandmother. And no one failed to notice the absence of a homily.
Hmmm…Perhaps his family has caused Fr. Miqueli’s stormy outlook? It has been reported by several of his siblings that they are planning to take action against him for misappropriation of their parents’ estate. May God grant them success!
Is the planned farewell gathering for Fr. Susai Antony getting under Fr. Miqueli’s skin? Fr. Antony was a beloved member of the clerical staff at St. Frances, held in esteem by all who knew him. He is indisputably a good man and, as we know, evil cannot abide the presence of good. Fr. Antony is returning to his native India, due, in no small part, to Fr. Miqueli’s behind-the-scenes machinations. Fr. Miqueli & Deacon Coppola refused to allow Fr. Antony’s farewell gathering to be announced in the bulletin or from the altar. Neither would they allow the use of the Parish Center as a venue. Regardless, the gathering will be held! All are welcome to attend and to wish Fr. Antony well on Wed, Oct 28, at 7 PM at the Redwood Club on Schurz Av (at Buttrick). No cost to attend. Our love and regard for Fr. Antony must make Fr. Miqueli burn! Good! Just a foretaste of what awaits him in the afterlife, no doubt.
Perhaps Fr. Miqueli has read the recent piece in the Roosevelt Island Main Street WIRE and the ensuing letters to the editor. Hope so! He should know that the people of St. Frances de Chantal are never going to rest until he is made to pay for his misdeeds, whether it is the State of New York, the NY Archdiocese, the parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini & St. Frances de Chantal or his family that FINALLY demand and receive just recompense.
Or, perhaps the devil had a slow day and decided to ply his pitchfork to torture one of his own.
Submitted by Anonymous114:
Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Father Richard Marrano, parochial vicar at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Manhattan; Mrs. Bogna McGarrigle, music director at a Catholic Church on the East Side of Manhattan; Ms. Jennifer Cardoni, music director at a combined parish in Westchester County. What do all these people have in common? They were the most recent music directors at SFdC who were hired by a pastor who cared about providing good liturgical music that enhanced worship in our parish. These musicians have gone on to do great things after having served in our parish.
Father Miqueli knew for at least a month that Jennifer Cardoni had accepted a position at another parish (one might ask why) and he did nothing to arrange for a suitable replacement for this position so important to the worship life of our parish community.
Since the days of Jennifer Pascual, and continued by her successors, our parish had a wonderful concert series which was largely funded by the Friends of Music at SFdC. Gone is the concert series due to the lack of support by our “pastor.” The Friends of Music became wary of contributing because who could be sure their money would go toward the music program under Father Miqueli’s leadership, or lack thereof, so they are no more.
Christi Chiapetti is a beloved member of our parish but she is not able to take on the job of music director and cantor – she does not play organ or piano. Our parish deserves a qualified music director who will lead both the adult and children’s choirs. Not only should the person be interviewed by the pastor but also by a parishioner or two who are qualified in the field of liturgical music.
Submitted by Anonymous113:
This "priest" refused my daughter the sacrament of Confirmation because he first claimed that my sister, who was to be her sponsor, was not a catholic in good standing. He demanded a letter from her parish stating that she was a parishioner. My sister got that letter and it was faxed to the parish office on Roosevelt Island. Fr Miqueli claimed he never received the letter. It was re-sent immediately by my sisters parish in Richmond, Va. One week prior to confirmation he claimed that my daughter had missed too many confirmation classes and would not be confirmed. My daughter was the only child in his class who had submitted a paper on her selected saint and missed 3 classes due to family illness. When I confronted him he said she was not to be confirmed! That was the last day either myself or my daughter ever stepped foot in the Catholic Church. This man has stolen more than just money from parishioners and is a disgrace. He needs to be stopped and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Catherine Holmes Roosevelt island , New York
Submitted by Anonymous112:
Right you are, #111! Oh, to be blessedly idle from mid-July through Labor Day!!! Wouldn’t most of us working stiffs have been happy, indeed, to enjoy a PAID hiatus of eight consecutive weeks to rest from our labors?
It was, no doubt, eight weeks of fun and frolic on Cornell Drive in Brick, NJ. And, while it was better for our parish to be relieved of the presence of this disgrace of a pastor, he has returned to the scene of his most current crimes to inflict himself upon us once again.
Our efforts to have this pastor removed will continue, unabated and unrelenting. We remain steadfast in our mission. This dishonorable man will be removed - through our efforts and the efforts of others who have joined us – and with the cooperation of the Archdiocese. He WILL be removed.
Evil cannot live among the good. This man cannot meet our eyes without blushing because he knows what we know about him. He cannot meet with his parishioners as a group because he is defenseless against our questions. He cannot maintain relationships with good people because he feels the shabbiness of his own character when faced with the excellence of another’s.
Pity this man! - because we can sometimes fool others, but we cannot deny the truth about ourselves. It is not for us to judge the man's soul. We can only judge his deeds. I fear for him that the truth of his character will, indeed, be an uncomfortable parcel to present to his Creator at the end of his life.
Submitted by Anonymous111:
Love that Miqueli gave himself off for the ENTIRE MONTH of August. He clearly cares about his parish. And where does one go for an entire month? Hmm, how about the house that he co-owns with his boyfriend Keith in Brick, New Jersey! I figure that's a good guess. Shame on Miqueli and shame on the archdiocese for doing NOTHING.
Submitted by Anonymous110:
I was shocked to see Miqueli serving mass, at 5pm, this Saturday (July 25th, 2015). O course, he was there for a reason; the anniversary of his mother's passing. We had to hear all about his mother and his family, half of who hate him! I want to see him address us about all the rumors that are going around..Perhaps we can get miqueli's boyfriend's girlfriend to come over! Miqueli's boyfriend is bisexual. She says she knows plenty!!!!! We could get security for her as she tells the parishioners about Krist and Miqueli. Let Miqueli respond, right then and there! I will continue giving $1.00 in the collection. Even that is too much! I wish Dean Cappola would come forward with the truth! We would all support him! By the way, I don't appreciate any priest sitting with his back towards the Virgin Mary. It's disrespectful!
Submitted by Anonymous109:
This is a very anti-Christian forum, hateful gossip is not the way we were taught. If you believe in the accusations you've made continue to escalate to the higher ups and let them investigate. This lynching of a priest is disgraceful. I don't expect this comment will make the forum, as the only comments posted are those in which you all agree.
>> Being a Christian is standing up for what is morally right. There is a difference between gossip and taking action. We have escalated the issues with Fr. Miqueli to the higher ups, but as they have proven, they choose not to investigate and leave us helpless. This website acts as a means to show that the Archdioceses does not care about SFdC and that the issues with Fr. Miqueli are in fact real and not just miniscule. Also, comments posted are not in which we all agree, but rather help to further our mission.
Submitted by Anonymous108:
A MESSAGE FROM A TRUE SHEPHERD TO HIS FLOCK
Wouldn't it be nice for St. Frances de Chantal to have a pastor who understands his obligations as a priest and a shepherd to his congregation?
St. Benedict Parish Bulletin – July 19, 2015
From the Pastor:
My Dear Parish Family,
Among my responsibilities as Pastor is to watch over the physical property of St. Benedict Church and School. As a Pastor, I am also responsible as steward of the money that you, the people of the parish, donate to the Church. We have two people in the parish that are appointed as Trustees of the parish. Their main responsibility is to watch over me. They are to make sure I am not doing anything that would be illegal or over spending the parish money. Obviously, the Parish Council, as well as the Parish Finance Council, also watches over the parish finances along with our bookkeeper, accountant and the Archdiocese. Still, I feel most responsible to you, the people of the parish, in every aspect of parish life, but especially with finances.
Therefore, I am informing you that we have redone the kitchen in the rectory. The cabinets were falling apart and it was generally a mess. It is a very busy kitchen. We needed to have stronger made cabinets, a new counter top and new flooring. As all of you understand, home improvements can be expensive. We did not replace any appliances, but the wonderful people at Oracle of Tiles on East Tremont Avenue did everything else. Anytime you are by the rectory, please feel free to see the new kitchen.
Also, the walls around the statues that are up front in Church are in need of repair. I have reached out to a company that does this type of work. I hope to have the repair work done soon along with a fresh coat of paint and a cleaning of the statues. I will certainly keep you informed of the progress.
Being the steward of the finances and physical property of the parish means that I need to keep all of you informed of what work is being done for your parish church. As always, any questions or concerns can be directed to me in person, via phone or email.
St. Benedict pray for us. Servant of God, Terence Cardinal Cooke, pray for us.
Fr. Stephen P. Norton
Submitted by Anonymous107:
Hi, my name is Tatyana. I am Keith Crists girlfriend. I feel for your parish and everything you are going through. Keith has done unspeakable things to me at the direction of your pastor for self serving reasons. I also have a lot of insider information about what is really going on with your pastor and Keith Crist. Whatever suspicions the parishioners have about the two of them, I am a witness and can tell you that its a lot worse than you think. Your pastor gives Keith about 4,000/month(you pastor salary is only 2400/month) for his sexual "services". All the money that he gives is your money that he steals from the donations . I also know why the archdioses is protecting Father Miqueli (he has some serious blackmail hanging over them). I hope this last bit explains everything why all your reaching out to the archdioses over the last years is falling on deaf ears. They know everything about his financial crimes but are doing nothing because of what he has hanging over them. Problem is , the money that he is stealing is your money, not the archdioses, and thats why the archdioses doesn't care , its no skin of their back. If they fire Father Miqueli, he will expose what he has hanging over them. Anyways, I have known all this for quite a while, but now I can stay quiet no longer, especially now that I recently found out the facts behind the blackmail situation.
Submitted by Anonymous106:
None of us really knows the full story, because Fr. Miqueli won't reveal...or continues to conceal the facts, and Cardinal Dolan has not mounted an investigation.
It is shameful that Cardinal Dolan and church leadership seem to care more about saving face for this pastor or covering up a very serious situation, than caring for the spiritual life of the parishioners.
Peter Miqueli has succeeded in pitting groups of parishioners against each other by manipulating and fabricating situations and stories. He has told some people that he is under attack by a small group of terrible people. He has taken advantage of the faith of others who would never have dreamed of standing up to a church leader.
"Pastor" and "Church Leader" are misnomers when it comes to Peter Miqueli. A pastor guides and grows his people as a community of faith. A leader is visionary, cultivates relationships, does what is best for that community, involves everyone, is transparent and truthful with parish issues, practices and finances.
Time after time for almost three terrible years Peter Miqueli has done what has suited him, without conferring with the community. He is away from the parish at every possible opportunity. He has very seriously neglected the spiritual formation of the youth of the parish, as well as the adults.
I think we can all see that good people have been trying to make things better. They seem to have asked many, many times to have discussions with Peter Miqueli on various topics and issues, only to be rebuffed or ignored. Parents were forced to take to social media when their children receiving the sacrament of Confirmation were being short changed by Peter Miqueli. He issued and accepted a fee from these families, advertising a retreat and confirmation robes among other things, and both were canceled until the parents made it a public issue. First Holy Communion is now part of the Saturday afternoon Mass, instead of being treated for the solemn and important sacrament that it is by keeping with the tradition of every church and holding a special mass.
A leader sees the big picture. A leader exercises good judgement. A leader tends to their responsibilities in order to strengthen and grow the organization that they are responsible for. None of this has happened.
Instead, Peter Miqueli is secretive, neglectful, does not follow Archdiocesan rules or church law. He is disrespectful toward many of the parishioners, retaliates against anyone who does not agree with him or is perceived as a potential threat...as in anyone who can report or verify any of his actions contrary to the Archdiocese or laws of NY state.
Peter Miqueli has inappropriate relationships or friends who have had part in the parish business. He has brought people who are associates from his last assignment and have zero history or connection with St. Frances de Chantal and given them leadership roles, excluding parishioners from even applying.
If his family members are coming forward to attest to his character throughout his life, what more do the parishioners need to know to open their eyes?
Each and every person who reads this should running to find out more about Peter Miqueli and his associates and his past. He is not able to lead a parish. Use the internet, read the hand-outs that we've received from concerned parishioners over the past few weeks, speak to your friends, family and neighbors. But most importantly, call the office of Cardinal Dolan and DEMAND that Fr. Miqueli be removed IMMEDIATELY.
As a parish, we need to wake up and hear what our fellow parishioners have to say. We need to demand that Cardinal Dolan begins an investigation and get to the bottom of this matter before Peter Miqueli does more damage and things get even worse.
Submitted by Anonymous105:
Interesting that ever since the flyer came out, Miqueli hasn't been around much. Obviously he is ashamed of the truth that he thought we wouldn't find out. What a coward.
So keep hiding Miqueli, it just sends us the message that you know your wall of lies is crumbling. And we can't wait until you are fully exposed as the fraud that you are.
Submitted by Anonymous104:
It has been absolutely verified that Experience #102 was posted by Richard Miqueli, a brother of Fr. Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous103:
When there is a Priest that does not follow the church and has been accused of improprieties, he should remove himself, or be forcibly removed by his parish. He is not doing so and not allowing the Archdiocese to investigate him. Remove him now. His own brother as responded to all. Remove him now.
Submitted by Anonymous102:
My name is Richard Miqueli. Peters older brother. My heart goes out to all the people who live in the parish he is a priest in. All the stories I read sound like it was growing up with him. He had absolutely no respect for his father or any of his siblings. My heart goes out to all of you
Submitted by Anonymous101:
Now Fr. Miqueli wants to remove the "cone" above the altar in the main church. With other repairs needed in the church, why is this his focus? It is an integral component in the design of the church, but he thinks it obscures the crucifix. For 45 years, this has not been a problem for any other pastor or parishioner. Why doesn't he fix the air conditioning or replace some of the many light bulbs that are out? He's been collecting money for that all along and has done nothing to improve either.
Submitted by Anonymous100:
Just saw the changes in the sanctuary at SFdC. The tabernacle is barely visible in its new location because it lacks the lighting of its former location. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, while beautiful, is much too large for that small space. I wonder how Our Blessed Mother likes overpowering her Son in the Blessed Sacrament. There should have been some prayer and discussion with the parish before making these changes including that of taking our statue of the Blessed Mother out of the church.
Submitted by Anonymous99:
Just received a letter from "The Cardinal's Annual Stewardship Appeal for 2015. This is the 1st time, I will be returning it without a pledge. I usually give a check with a substantial amount. This year, I have returned it with a note stating that unless the Pastor, Peter Miqueli is removed from OUR PARISH, I will not be donating any money!!!!!!!! Neither will my children and so many of my family members. Sorry!!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous98:
What a lovely paean to himself our pastor published in the May 3 bulletin! How nice for him that he possesses such psychological anesthesia that he can mine a complement (sic) out of some well-deserved criticism!
In his self-serving column “From the Pastor’s Desk”, our pastor engaged in some serious patting of his own back (Watch that sciatica, Father!), congratulating himself for his one-man campaign against stagnation in our faith community. While flattering himself, our pastor not-so-delicately insulted our parishioners for holding “onto the past.”
His specific charge criticizes those who question why the statue of the young Virgin Mary was banished from her place near the sanctuary where people were able to kneel in quiet, peaceful prayer. His reason for Mary’s removal is that there is a plan to move the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe into the sanctuary. One might ask why the statue could not remain while plans to move the tabernacle are completed. One might ask why BOTH the statue of the young Virgin Mary AND the image of Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe could not be displayed within or near the sanctuary. Yes, one MIGHT ask, but not without suffering the pastor’s criticism intended to forestall ANY discussion, let alone dissent, regarding his tyrannical edicts.
Perhaps this pastor is ignorant of the history of that particular statue of the young Virgin Mary. It was donated to our parish in memory of a young nurse who died on this very day, May 4, 1982. No doubt Deacon Coppola could explain what it means to our parish and to the family of the young nurse who died that day. (If the pastor would like to do his own research, he could visit the NY Times dated May 6, 1982.)
St. Frances has always been a vibrant parish, full of wonderful people living our faith and embracing all who wish to practice the Catholic faith as part of our community. We welcome all images of our Blessed Mother, wherever she is revered - Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico), OL of Fatima (Portugal), the Black Madonna of Czestochowa (Poland), OL of Monserrat (Spain), OL of Aparecida (Brazil), OL of Perpetual Help (Haiti), OL of Lourdes (France) and OL of Knock (Ireland). There is room in our hearts for Mary in all her appearances. Surely there is room for both images in our Lord’s sanctuary.
Our pastor is quite shrewd in setting up the straw man argument that people who do not agree with him simply want to “hold onto the past.” What he fails to understand is that we are happy to embrace change. What we cannot accept is a pastor who is afraid to engage in discussion with his parishioners. Instead, he hands down his diktats and publishes insulting columns in a venue (the bulletin) where no argument is possible. JC Bitner
Submitted by Anonymous97:
The woman who, with respect, told Fr. Miqueli, "Since you came here there has been a lot of change," might better have said since you came here our parish has a dictator,not a pastor.
Yes Father, that beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin has been in our church for a long time. Did you know, Fr. Miqueli, the statue was given to our parish in memory of a young nurse, Barbara Meliota, who was brutally murdered? Her family lives in our parish. Many times over the years her mother has been seen praying by that statue and many others have prayed there as well. Also, Fr. Miqueli, countless brides and grooms have placed flowers by that statue of the Virgin Mary on their wedding days. Will brides and grooms now have to go to the vestibule to place their flowers? What about the May crowning of the Blessed Mother that is a tradition at SFdC? Yesterday, while the congregation was in the nave of the church, the members of the Holy Name Society had to conduct the crowning ceremony in the church vestibule - hardly appropriate!
I would daresay parishioners would be delighted to have the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe moved into the church when the tabernacle is moved. We love our Virgin Mother. Many churches in our Archdiocese have both a statue of the Virgin Mary and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the church proper. Some even have other images of the Virgin Mary according to the culture of the people in the community. What is your problem, Fr. Miqueli, with having that beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary in the nave of the church rather than in the vestibule?
The problem between you and the parishioners, Fr. Miqueli, is your unilateral decision making that is communicated in the bulletin when you get around to it. We have no parish council or advisory council with representation from the parish community. Parishioners ask to meet with you and they are ignored. Deacon Coppola has become your intermediary when people call the rectory to request a meeting with you. The answer is either no or Father has not gotten back to him yet.
Good people of our parish who have given years of service in this parish community, because they have disagreement with you on some issue or other, have been told that they may not serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, cannot sell religious Christmas cards, cannot serve as officers of parish societies, cannot lead psalms at Tenebrae, cannot solicit donations, cannot serve as ushers, etc. This ban from service to the parish is always communicated through someone else; you do not even have the courage to speak for yourself.
This parishioner remembers the pastoral days of Msgr. Devlin, Msgr. Keehan, Msgr. Ivers, and Fr. Sullivan. At times disagreements arose but these pastors did not hide from the parishioners as you do Fr. Miqueli.
We need a pastor, not a dictator.
Submitted by Anonymous96:
Isn't it strange that our children who are making their First Holy Communion do not have their own special ceremony on an early Saturday afternoon ? This new practice of moving their First Holy Communion ceremony mingled into the 5pm mass started with fr miqueli. The huge communion crowd now fills all the collection baskets during the 5pm mass. He is very smart , isn't he?
Submitted by Anonymous95:
Please read the "From the Pastor's Desk" from May 3rd.
It is the most disgusting, pompous, and condescending thing Miqueli has yet to write in the bulletin.
Only he, an egotistical monster, would take: "Since you came here there has been a lot of change," as a compliment when it is certainly not. The change he brings is bad, never good. The only kind of change we need here, is for Miqueli to GO AWAY.
Submitted by Anonymous94:
Just count how many have left our parish: some have been dismissed by PM; some have been banned from their volunteer work at St Frances by PM, including Eucharistic ministers; some have been transferred by PM; and some have left in disgust and have chosen other parishes as their own. When will there be a financial investigation and an audit? Why is he being protected and Allowed to continue this mockery?
Submitted by Anonymous93:
Why in the world does Miqueli want to move the tabernacle??? That should be the least of his priorities. The fact that an overwhelming majority of the congregation wants him gone is much more of an issue that he has still yet to acknowledge. Oh wait, it’s because he is a LYING COWARD. Not only is he destroying the spirit of our church but now he is also tainting how our beautiful church looks. The tabernacle has been on the side of the altar since the church was built. How dare such a disgrace of a pastor and disgrace of a priest think that he should be the one to move it.
Also, in this past weekend’s bulletin “he" wrote:
"All of the flowers can be replanted around our property and the women have already volunteered to do it, so please watch out that no one takes any of our Easter plants because they will be used here in the parish. Only the women who set up the flowers on Holy Thursday are authorized to touch the flowers!”
Wow, implying that people in our parish are a bunch of thieves and then reprimanding us like children... What a great guy.
It is very confusing as to how anyone supports this menace and thinks everything happening is fine. Open your eyes!!!!! Just because he is a priest does NOT make him perfect or untouchable. If you think he is right in anything he does, you are absolutely WRONG.
Submitted by Anonymous92:
I applaud you #91! Remember, this IS the same pastor who on Palm Sunday took up a 2nd collection for palm. He stated that palm was expensive and the parish spent $2,000.00 on palm. Funny how our neighboring parishes spend less than half that amount of money on palm! Did he really spend that much money for palm? Is he capable of making accurate, safe financial decisions? I agree with #91, we DEMAND an independent audit of our parish finances!
Submitted by Anonymous91:
How very curious that entry #90 alludes to “financial improprieties” discovered by our pastor, who is now attempting to “clean house.”
Is this the same pastor who has refused to permit an audit of the parish finances by the Archdiocese? Is this the same pastor who has been reported to the Archdiocese for keeping piles of cash in his personal quarters in the rectory? Is this the same pastor who has ignored the Archdiocesan mandate to establish a Parish Finance Council? Is this the same pastor who has not held a meeting of his Pastor’s Advisory Committee since June 2014? Is this the same pastor who has not presented a budget of any kind in his entire tenure at St. Frances? Is this the same pastor who has yet to submit a Financial Statement for any year of his tenure?
This IS the pastor who praises himself for enabling the parish to pay all of its bills. And yet he cannot replace his church’s nearly two dozen lights which have been out for months. This IS the pastor who proposes to spend $50,000 to cut back the dome over our altar, move the tabernacle, remove pews along the side of the altar – all of which is discretionary, not necessary. And yet, he asks for help to repair the steam system in the school building, a $30,000 project, which is absolutely necessary for the safety & comfort of the school children.
In November of this year, at a meeting of parishioners, Bishop John Jenik quoted the debt of our parish at $1.8 million. Does anyone find it credible that St. Frances has paid that debt and is now solvent? If our pastor has moved our finances into the black, why will he not allow an audit? Why will he not submit & publish a verifiable financial report? Why will he not show deposits into our accounts that MATCH the figures published in the bulletin? Why has he never published the totals for the Easter 2013, Christmas 2013, Easter 2014 & Christmas 2014 in our bulletin?
This pastor is in violation of a great number of the New York Archdiocese Policies & Procedures. His history of transgression did not begin at St. Frances. It can be traced back to his previous parish on Roosevelt Island and beyond. It is beyond the understanding of any intelligent, faithful person why this man still holds a position of financial responsibility, not to mention the more important spiritual responsibility of a priest and pastor.
Is our pastor’s ostensible effort to “clean house” actually an attempt to deflect blame onto others for his own problematic financial practices? Beware! Anyone who is within range as this house cleaning deflects blame onto others, instead of placing it where it belongs.
Submitted by Anonymous90:
It seems to me that Fr. Miqueli discovered some financial improprieties going on in the parish and he has since tried to clean house. Of course, those who were caught with their hand in the till are now trying to shift the onus off themselves and onto him. There is no other explanation for this website. Follow the money trail, yes, but don't be surprised when it doesn't lead back to Fr. Miqueli !! The fact that this review will be censored and not published is proof of that.
>> Think what you will, but that is not the "explanation for this website." Fr. Miqueli has done much more wrong to this parish then you think.
Submitted by Anonymous89:
Have you noticed??? Since parishioners have been putting checks as opposed to cash in the collection basket, the results of the money collected is much higher!!! Just saying!
Submitted by Anonymous88:
Would not this whole question go away if the archny would send an auditor who would simply conclude that there is nothing irregular. All Is well. Give facts and figures - Christmas collections, Easter collections, second collections, etc. Would not the whole question go away if the person of Keith Crist were explained. Who is he? What is he? Why is he? The archny states that the situation has been investigated and there are no irregularities. Well someone thinks there are irregularities. In point of fact many people think there are irregularities. Why?! This is Indeed a puzzle.
Submitted by Anonymous87:
Do not give to the Cardinal's Appeal or Catholic Charities!!! Just let them know you will not give any donation, until Peter Miqueli is removed from our parish. Put a note or letter in the envelope! He's busy removing many people who have been the fabric of our parish and has cut down the days on those working in the rectory. Now, it is time to REMOVE HIM!!!!! SHAME ON DEAN GEORGE CAPPOLA!!! The parish has lost faith in him!!! He is afraid of his own shadow!!! No backbone!!! He now sits at the front desk in the rectory and guilt is written all over his face, pretending he knows nothing about what's going on!!! When Miqueli walks down the aisle of our church foliowed by Cappola, I see a tyrant accompanied by his slave Cappola!!! George Cappola, how could you stoop so low???
Submitted by Anonymous86:
For a long time my family and I stopped going to church, our faith you see had faltered, but a few weeks ago, Jesus gave me the strength to pick myself up and take my family to church. However we went to another church that is not in our neighborhood. I know you might think badly about us for not wanting to go to church but you shouldn’t. My family and I were Sunday regulars. Like you, we love our community and our loved our Parish. We support many events within our St Frances de Chantal Parish and School Community. Throughout these months my faith has struggled and let me tell you it was tough walking through the doors of a new church. We did not know anyone. The new church was overwhelming. We eased into the pew and almost immediately our hearts started to open with the joy of mass. During the Father’s gospel I cried because of the blessedness I felt not just for myself but also for my family, we were back in god’s grace. This church was full of devoted Catholics of all ages. You saw the happiness and enthusiasm on their faces. You felt it in the air. More importantly you heard it in the Father’s homily. This parish believed in and respected their leader. At the end of the mass, my family and I went to greet the priests of the parish and they were so generous. They welcomed my family in earnest and right away asked where we were from. When I told them Throggs Neck. They looked at each other and shook their heads and the Pastor said, St Frances right? Yes Father, we are from St. Frances de Chantal Parish. Nothing else had to be said, it was sadly understood. The Pastor and Deacon told us that we had a home there with them, invited us to a parish function and introduced us to a few members of their parish. It has been such a positive journey, one that I am so thankful for. But when I think of my friends at St. Frances I am saddened for what they are missing.
So I ask this, why is Father Peter Miqueli still pastor of St. Frances de Chantal Parish? I’m not writing this to bash him just to ask the question why? Whether you agree or disagree with the views written on this page or in recent articles, one thing is clear, Father Miqueli is not a good fit for the St. Frances de Chantal Parish. We are a community split apart. And unless you go outside this community you will never really understand how much we have been let down. So to the Archdiocese of NY, I ask you why is someone who is obviously not bringing this Parish together still here? What is the benefit? You are losing the faithful! If this was a business Father Miqueli would have been either transferred or fired. How can you try and push Catholic Education? How can parents trust you to run schools when you are totally biased and incapable of running a successful Parish?
To Father Peter Miqueli I ask, why are you still here? Can you answer that? I know you read this column! It is just not working out, you have been unsuccessful in building this Parish. If you are truly misunderstood, then make it right. Your most selfless act would be to leave and to let someone else try and lead St. Frances. To the SFdC parishioners I ask, why are you still there? Take your loyalty, faith and family to a parish that will welcome and appreciate it! I did!
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
Submitted by Anonymous85:
I've had a bad experience with Cardinal Dolan!! Do the research. He's creating this type of crisis all over the archdiocese. He either installs pastors who are absolute nightmares or he threatens to close churches that are thriving, and usually traditional or conservative e.g., Holy Innocents, St. Michael's, or St. Thomas More. Look up New Ways Ministries on your IPad to see the many parishes in NYC that he has made Gay friendly like Ascension or St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan. He has an agenda. The Church in New York is in deep trouble!
Submitted by Anonymous84:
On Saturday, Feb 21, 2015, the pastor of St. Frances de Chantal, in his Lenten purple vestments, five minutes before entering the church to offer Mass and consecrate the Eucharist, engaged in an unpleasant exchange with Barney Reilly, a parishioner for over thirty years, and dismissed him from his long-held voluntary position as head-usher at the 5 PM Mass. The stated reason for the dismissal is that Mr. Reilly was one of the signers of a letter mailed to parishioners in October. This letter called attention to problems in our parish, encouraged parishioners both to write letters to the Archdiocese and to reduce their weekly contributions until our questions are addressed.
The pastor had attempted to dismiss him in the past, but with the encouragement of friends & fellow-parishioners, Mr. Reilly refused to step down. There had been no complaints about his service, nor any question about his suitability to serve in this voluntary position. This time, however, the pastor told Mr. Reilly that the police would be summoned if he attempted to take his position as usher. Mr. Reilly called this bluff and replied, “Go ahead. Call the police.” The pastor then backed down from his threat, stating that, “This is not the time or place.” Really?! If it was neither the time nor the place, shouldn’t the pastor have understood that before making the threat? And to behave in such a shabby manner in a public venue moments before entering the church to offer the Mass, is so shockingly inappropriate for a Catholic priest that it defies understanding.
The outcome of this confrontation is that Mr. Reilly has been forced to relinquish his long-held voluntary position. Further abuse is simply not good for his health. He had endured the pastor’s intimidating tactics over the past several months, but was finally forced to surrender to this injustice. Mr. Reilly truly did not deserve such rude treatment, especially in view of his many years of service and certainly not at the hands of a Catholic priest.
This scenario is of a piece with previous actions taken by the pastor against parishioners who are in disagreement with him.
1) In early Dec 2014, an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist was dismissed for the unpardonable misdeed of being “in disagreement with” the pastor. This message was originally delivered by Deacon George Coppola. However, when the minister pointed out that it is the pastor’s place to take such action, the pastor made the call and dismissed the Extraordinary Minister.
2) Just after Christmas, another usher, whose custom it had been for many years to assist in collecting at the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass, received word from Deacon Coppola that he was no longer permitted to do so. I, myself, called the rectory on Dec 29th to learn the reason for the dismissal. Deacon Coppola told me that it was because the usher did not contribute to the parish. During a 10-minute conversation, Deacon Coppola was unable to answer my question, “What is the amount that a parishioner is required to contribute before he is permitted to serve the parish in a volunteer capacity?”
3) During Advent, the pastor barred members of the Holy Name Society from selling religious Christmas cards in the vestibule of St. Frances Church. This sale has been held in our parish for many, many years. The purpose of the sale is, primarily, to “Keep Christ in Christmas”; secondarily, to raise a bit of money to fund the Society’s corporal works of mercy. The pastor's reason for banning the sale is that several members of the HNS were signatories to the same parish-wide letter which resulted in Barney Reilly's dismissal.
4) Also during Advent, the pastor informed the President of the Holy Name Society that four members, two of them HNS officers, were to be dismissed from the HNS because they had been signatories to the parish-wide letter. The four members relinquished neither their membership nor their positions as officers. According to the articles of the National Association of the HNS, a member cannot be dismissed without cause. Being in disagreement with one’s pastor is not considered cause for dismissal.
Add to this the fact that, despite monthly second collections for Maintenance, nearly 40% (23 out of 58) of the lights in the church have been out for MONTHS. Yes, replacing lights in the church is costly and labor-intensive. But what is the threshold of burned-out light bulbs that will initiate action? 50%? 75%? Or will we wait for an injury to occur before replacing a bulb?
QUESTION: How many pastors does it take to replace a light bulb?
ANSWER: Apparently, more than one!
Submitted by Anonymous83:
Fr Miqueli is protected by his friend, the ArchBishop of Baltimore.
NY knows all about his faults. Don't expect anything from them.
Everything that you describe happened on Roosevelt Island and the Archdiocese knew it and did nothing.
Before he became a Pastor he bounced around a lot of Parishes. Isn't it strange that with such a scarcity of Priests that so many Parishes were willing to let him go?
Submitted by Anonymous82:
Today, December 13th, 2014, at the 5pm mass, there were no wreaths on the walls of the church, no Christmas trees on the altar and no Nativity in front of the altar. Outside the church, the annual tree lighting (which always took place 2 weeks before Christmas) did not take place nor were there children singing Christmas Carols around the tree. There was no Nativity near the tree.The outside was dark and dreary! No hot chocolate, tea, cookies and cake baked by the parents and which would have been served in the lower church. This is something we all looked forward to; the celebration of the birthday of Jesus…I miss all this!!! …….It's such a shame………...Is Peter Miqueli punishing us??? Is he trying to tear the tight knit fabric of our community ??? Well, he can't!!! He's cutting off his nose to spite his face!!! He could get rid of this one and that one, but eventually he will be the one to be rid of!…..He could run but he can't hide!!!. We have parishioners with intelligence, patience and perseverance working on this whole situation. We need GOD'S HELP!!! Keep praying!!! We want back our parish!!!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous81:
Is Peter Miqueli trying to punish the parishioner of SFdC ??? This Saturday, just 11 days before Christmas, and still no annual lighting of our Christmas Tree? The children of St.Frances would sing a few Christmas Carols, joined by their teachers, parents and friends. Then everyone watched with excitement, the lighting of the tree. .It just lit up the entire area, and we could all see the nativity, with the Virgin Mary, Joseph etc. After the lighting parents were invited to the lower level of the church for some hot chocolate,tea, and cookies and cake that the parents baked. The parent association sold fresh christmas outside. they decorated fresh wreath and sold them to help raise money. Is Peter Miqueli punishing us??? The church looks like a dungeon. We always had huge wreaths on the walls (about 6 or more) and beautiful,big Christmas Trees at the alter, There were so many poinsettias at the altar and in front of the altar. Of course,we had the beautiful Nativity in front of the altar. Let's hope we see this in church, next week, on Saturday December 20th, when I attend mass
Submitted by Anonymous80:
It is important for anyone who sees this site to share it with others who are tired of Fr. Miqueli's antics and want to restore the parish to a place of spiritual growth and renewal, and to build up our parish community to what it once was. If you have not been to one of the meetings of concerned parishioners and would like to hear about upcoming gatherings, leave your email here so the committee can reach out to you. Please, this is not a joke. If you are serious about voicing your concerns AND doing something about it, then let people know that you are in it for real. Do not post or come to a meeting if you are spying or looking for drama. Most importantly, pray for the parish and even for Fr. Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous79:
Have you seen any altar boys lately??? Parents are not giving consent for their boys to serve at any mass Miqueli serves. Also, have you noticed the collection increased last week? People are now writing out checks. We must continue to give only checks regardless if the collection is for 1,2 or 3 envelopes or whether it's 50/50. Every dollar must be accounted for. CHECKS ONLY!!! You may want to give $1.00 a month or week, in order to make a statement. In this weeks' Bronx Times Reporter (November 7th,2014) Miqueli tries to defend himself by saying that he has increased the number of parishioner who help count the money. May we please have a list of all the names of these parishioners who helped count the money for the last 6 months??? If Miqueli was really concerned about us and his own reputation, he would hold a meeting at which we could discuss all these so called "rumors." We are willing to listen! We want answers!!! He thinks these rumors will go away but they won't!!! Let the King come forward and speak to his servants!!!
Submitted by Anonymous78:
I remember every autumn season St. Frances de Chantal Parish always had those wonderful pie brochures and forms to order for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have not seen them this year nor last year. Is this another one of those things Miqueli did away with or was his absence from the parish so excessive that the drive could not be authorized in time? Is this his way of saying "Well let them eat cake"?
Submitted by Anonymous77:
Attention! Check out the latest issue of the Bronx Times Reporter.......Link:
http://www.bxtimes.com/stories/2014/45/45-pastor-2014-11-07-bx_2014_45.html
Who wants to bet that King Miqueli will now be around the school more often and doing more masses...if that were to happen that is a slight admission of guilt. On the other hand the man is so cocky that he might just be up to his old tricks. Has anyone else noticed all of the lights out in the Church and the Horrible condition of the school building. The Janitor can not fix his way out of a paper bag and is running errands all day for the school staff.
Submitted by Anonymous76:
Submit your stories, letters, etc... to [email protected] and include your name so the group can reach you.
This goes for the people from Roosevelt Island. A long, historical trail of misdeeds will only bolster our case.
And here is more fuel for the fire: CLICK HERE FOR LINK
Submitted by Anonymous75:
when I was an altar server Fr. Miqueli tried to take my money but I said no. he's a psycho
Submitted by Anonymous74:
I feel like Peter Miqueli is using same devote parishioner for his own good. I know for fact he is using people to follow him in all his bla bla bla and make to defend him when a negative comment is again him, I know one Lady who believe in him to die for him, that she does not want to admit she is cover all his none sense, and now he put her on the church trust. How she is in that position? well just because THE KING OF SFDC want
Submitted by Anonymous73:
>> Name of man described is changed to ANON as it is a second hand account.
Not long ago following the 5pm Mass just outside of the Church doors, I overheard and witnessed Fr. Miqueli lecture, or DICTATE, to the lector of that particular Mass, ANON, who is one of the finest lectors of our parish and serves as Eucharistic Minister on other Saturdays. He told ANON that as a "reminder" he can only serve in only one ministry per Mass, that no one can serve as lector and eucharistic minister in one same Mass (one of the changes Miqueli made upon becoming pastor--before him people who were lector & eucharistic ministers often did double roles upon the priest's request & need of assistance). The problem is ANON only served in one role that Mass--as Lector and nothing else, totally contrary to whatever Miqueli was suggesting. ANON tried to be a gentleman and non-argumentative about it but I was able to see the look in his face as if saying or wondering why he was being told of something that had not occurred. But what made me more uncomfortable witnessing this is that ANON is African American (or someone of color) and it seemed like Miqueli was just picking on him, accusing him and reprimanding him for something he never did. I don't know if Miqueli, who was not even the celebrant of the Mass, saw opportunity to dictate to ANON like that with a blatant false accusation, or if he has other personal or prejudicial problems, but Miqueli, in my view, just spoiled the fruitful spirituality upon exiting Mass. It hurts to see a priest like Miqueli behave in a non-Christ like manner towards a parish volunteer.
Submitted by Anonymous72:
What happen to the column Miqueli writes? He hasn't written one during all the time he took off, but he had Dean Coppola or someone else write it. NOW, he got RID of it altogether! He can't be bothered with that either!!!! If he felt he needed the room for other things, then he should have written his column on a separate sheet of paper and inserted it in the bulletin. It's probably too much work for him!!! He must think we are a bunch of gullible idiots when in essence, many of us are professionals. I noticed Miquelli likes to brag about his close relationship with Cardinal Dolan. He wants us to believe that he is indestructible because he has a close tie to the Archdioceses….to Cardinal Dolan…. to the board…..If you have to say it, it's wishful thinking…..but Money Speaks…He needs money to pay those bills….NO MONEY, NO BILLS PAID….I don't care how close he is to anyone…No More Money!!! Money should never be counted in the PRIVACY OF HIS OWN QUARTERS . WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PARISH COUNCIL, MAINTAINING A PARTNERSIP WITH GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS who assisted in counting the collection. Miquelli is not a peoples' person. He's busy doing something else while speaking to you, such as reading a note or putting something away. He cannot give you his undivided attention!!!! He never smiles… We all want our parish back. Miquelli knows what's going on…he has addressed the parishioners about the rumors…he thinks they will go away! This Sunday, I counted 72 people in church. This number included about a dozen children that were there. I gave a check for $1.00 for the month of October, 2014. I will give another check for $1.00 sometime in the month of November,2014 and $1.00 sometime in the month of December, 2014. Also, I would appreciate it very much, as would so many other parishioners, if a schedule of the following week's masses would be posted on the wall, with the names of the priest serving each of these masses. This way, I can pick the mass I feel comfortable at. That should not be an option….it should be mandatory!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous71:
There have been 70 shared experiences but few have signed the petition. Why be afraid! This is YOUR PARISH! This is OUR parish! Not Miqueli's! We are in need of spiritual leadership and he is not there! Do not be afraid to speak up because WE are the voice!!!
Submitted by Anonymous70:
I also have had nothing but uncomfortable and dismaying experiences with Miqueli. And I have not found one single human with anything nice to say about him. He yelled at me and my child during communion once in front of everyone. He is mean and nasty every time I have to go to the rectory. He only visits the school to yell at the kids for not wanting to join the altar service. He is an awful, nasty man and must be removed!!
Submitted by Anonymous69:
I have been a parishoner my entire life and have never been SO disconnected to my SPIRITUAL life! My experience is the coming and going of priests and pastors with no spiritual leadership! I had such hope for Fr. Miqueli but have been left with much disappointment! Why is St. Frances de Chantal left without spiritual guidance? This long standing, family oriented, generational and Catholic neighborhood is left time and time again without true spititual leadership! We deal with this and contjnue to believe and will..........because we have have faith! May God guide us through this difficult time and may God guide Fr.Miqueli to step down as our Pastor!
Submitted by Anonymous68:
God bless the good people whose mailing we received today. So glad that someone has taken action. Time for that group meeting. How can the people without access to computers, like the older parishioners with a long time in the parish get in touch and take action, too? This needs to go to the media to get the word out and start to shame the Archdiocese for doing nothing about this sorry excuse for a priest, let alone a pastor.
Submitted by Anonymous67:
Isn't this enough for the Arch of NY ? How can they condone the actions of one of their own? reports of immoral behavior combined with questionable handling of our donations in collection baskets ....this is not a concern? this doesn't warrant a complete investigation? When will it end? Where is the audit committee ?
Submitted by Anonymous66:
When and where will this meeting take place ????? I can't stand to see his face anymore!!! When I see him, I see the DEVIL IN DISGUISE! All he's interested in is your envelope. Saturday, October 4th, there were 3 of them. Some of us live from pay check to pay check and have tight budgets. We make one mistake and it sets us back! Some have little children and only one parent working. They drop whatever they can in the basket. Some of us don't even have a job! How dare he ask a parishioner who wanted her baby baptized, what her envelope # was. When she told Miqueli she didn't have one but she did drop whatever she could afford in the basket, his response was "Do you want to go to Heaven?" Is he kidding me? How dare he! The small chapel now looks like it's been neglected. Very few of the battery operated candles light up. The attendance is at its lowest! Two Sundays ago, I counted 54 people in all, including myself. It was terrible. The church holds about 600 people. This is unacceptable. My husband and I went to St. Benedicts, the first 3 weeks of September. There were so many people there from our parish, it was unbelievable. I came back because I missed my church but it's not the same..I miss father Anthony so much, I wish he were back. Once again, please let us know where this meeting will take place, the date and time. I have a few ideas to talk about! Thanks!
Submitted by Anonymous65:
Agreed 100% with the last comment. Where on earth does the pastor have (and cultivate) such an adversarial "relationship" with the parishioners. News flash: this is our parish and has been for almost 90 years. This guy is a new comer who has never tried to be a true pastor. What the hell is the Archdiocese thinking? He should not be in a leadership role ANYWHERE. He should definitely never be put in a position to deal with money...especially cash, or have control of important mattters that affect an institution or people.
Submitted by Anonymous64:
Want to get to HEAVEN?? Send your money, send your green..line Miqueli's pockets and let him use you for whatever benefits him. He has a hidden agenda for EVERYTHING, but why shouldn't he?? After all, he IS the Pastor, KING of Throggs Neck!
When he doesn't get exactly what he wants, he acts like a child and puts down the other parties involved. He definitely has some serious personality issues, including compulsive lying. Why would he want to be where he is hated $o much??
Submitted by Anonymous63:
Please let us know well advance when and where the meeting will take place. This will give us time to spread the word to others so they will not miss it. Thanks!!!
Submitted by Anonymous62:
Very soon a meeting will take place where all concerned parties can come together and talk. It is crucial to come to an agreement on a strategy to oust this bum.
Do not fear retaliation; share your frustrations and the stories of how Miqueli is negatively affecting the parish. For each one who remains silent, you chip away at the effort to free SFdC from this sad excuse for a priest and his side kick, Keith.
If you do nothing, it is like you are condoning his behavior and immoral and unethical behaviors and activities. The power is in our hands. Fight with us.
Submitted by Anonymous61:
My children attend this school and I must agree with all that is being written. Staff members and volunteers are miserable and in turn our kids are suffering the consequences as the enthusiasm is many times no longer their to continue extra curricular activities. It's sad because as parents we all want the best for our children and that includes over extending ourselves to pay for catholic school. It's so discouraging when you realize that you can no longer have faith in people, not even priests. It's hard to believe anymore.
Submitted by Anonymous60:
I am shocked to find this site when looking for the Holy Day Mass schedule. After the Msgr. Keating & 'friend' financial ruin of the parish why not request an audit. Accusations without proof can be dangerous and divide the parish. Since it is obvious that the rectory is monitoring this site, DO something/anything to rectify this situation. There has to be a CPA in the Parish who could look into the funds or hire an independent auditor. Finally, take it out of the ADNY's hands; if you believe you have proof, the matter could be referred to the State Attorney General, District Attorney or the IRS, but filing a false report is a crime. Tax exemption does not apply to theft or misappropriation of tax exempt funds. I am sure if anything fugzy is going on the State & Feds would love to stop the Church's tax exemption status.
Submitted by Anonymous59:
“Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought. To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears. To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool. To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen. To be led by a liar is to ask to be lied to. To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.”
Octavia Bulter, Science Fiction Writer (Words of advice for the Priest Personnel Board. I feel like this entire issue is a scary fantasy. God help the parish of St. Frances de Chantal.)
Submitted by Anonymous58:
I just came back from 5pm mass (8/2/14). I must say , I felt sorry for Father Joseph Tissera who was performing the mass. Poor man! He's retired and old but such a fine, fine man. He's been doing not only his masses but Father Miqueli's as well. Imagine that!!!!! Father Joseph DOESN'T DESERVE this! It's ABUSE! 'Father Miqueli is on a permanent summer vacation! He has abandoned the church!!! Isn't that proof enough that Father Miqueli should not be a pastor? He doesn't care!!!! There's no accountability. Let's hold a meeting right after "Labor Day". Most likely everyone should be back from vacation by then.Let's address all the issues at hand, and any evidence we have. Make a list of the data we need and then call for a thorough investigation. Then we can call the media. The media would have a field day with this.
Submitted by Anonymous57:
It would be great to have Fr. Bill Cleary or Msgr. Ed Barry come to St. Frances and totally revitalize our parish.
Submitted by Anonymous56:
I know for a FACT that well over a year ago Miqueli was told by the higher ups in the ARCHNY that he was to knock off his "lifestyle". That meant his relationship with a male person, which was deemed unacceptable by the ARCHNY.
His special friend disappeared temporarily but was back before long. Miqueli told some at the ARCHNY that there was no way he was dumping his friend. What does this show us? That the ARCHNY is very much aware of Miqueli's inappropriate behavior and does little to enforce their own weak warning. And when Miqueli throws his disregard for them into their faces, nothing happens to him. If it were you or I who were working at a Catholic organization and carrying on this type of relationship - contrary to the church's teachings - we'd be canned in a New York minute.
If a priest desires a physical relationship with anyone, then they should honor the rules of the church and step down from priestly duties and live a life where they are free to pursue such relationships without scrutiny.
I think that as a lay person, MR.Peter Miqueli would never attain the power, little as it actually is, that he has as a priest and pastor. He would have to go out and make a living for himself, which is probably not a very attractive prospect. He would have no one to treat as shabbily as he has/does the people within his employ or those who deal with the parish for their own living. He's got it made here. Even with the vast majority of the parish disgusted with him, he sits back and probably laughs at our disdain. A NORMAL PERSON WOULD SHAPE UP AND TRY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT, AND DO THE CORRECT THING. MIQUELI IS NOT A NORMAL HUMAN BEING.
Submitted by Anonymous55:
I knew father Anthony would not leave just like that! We want him back!
It's ashame that we are not doing anything about this. This has been going on for a while now, and we are doing nothing and we are suffering for it. In the short time Miqueli has been here the church is no longer what it used to be. No airconditioning, no flowers, candles that don't light up. He charges more money for so many things that were less. And it's not like a little increase, but rather 50% or more. Yet despite those large increases, we see less money being spent on our church. I can only speak for myself and my family, and our moral is low.
He doesn't even have the personality one would expect of a priest. He is rude,obnoxious ,condescending and he is always right. In no time at all, this priest, if we allow it, will make our church close. But we can't allow this. And we shouldn't have to go to a different church. Because then he is winning. Our church has many memories for everyone and there is no reason we should abandon it and let him take over. We love this church and the people that attend. It's a community.
The solution here is very simple. There is a simple way to ensure that he will no longer be at our parish.
The people of the Parish (that is us) have the power to control this situation, get rid of Father Miqueli and get Father Anthony back. Father Miqueli thinks no one is above him and he can do what ever he wants. But he is 100% dead wrong. It is us that controls him and the parish. The church is NOTHING without
our support.
We need to band together in unity and we need a meeting. Set the date and time for the meeting and we can discuss the ways that we in unity can get him out. We don't need anyone to help us, it doesn't matter who he his friends are. We don't even need the media. All we need is proof of what is going on, word of mouth, and as many people as possible that agree that Fr. Miqueli is taking our once wonderful parish down. The meeting should be attended only by those that have some proof or information or shared a bitter experience with Miquelli.
It would be nice if priests, school aids, and others who were supposed to get paid by him, but didn't, come forward.
Submitted by Anonymous54:
Fr Antony was being abused by Miqueli. He would not pay him I time and treated him disrespectfully. Not only does Miqueli not pay the church employees their due wages on time but he also does not pay the priest who work at our church. He is a a spiteful and immoral man. We need to go to the media with the truth. The ARCHNY will only react after a public scandal, so let's give them just that because the truth will prevail and the media must know the truth. We agree that there should be a town hall meeting.
Submitted by Anonymous53:
What a mislead soul. People from the rectory were fired because THEY were stealing??? What a joke.
If people only knew half of the facts about what is going on in the rectory, and the cockamamie explanations that are given, your head would spin.
Submitted by Anonymous52:
Regarding Anonymous49's comment, "Fr. Peter put an end to it".
That one priest, of no note in the Archdiocese, can "put an end to" anything regarding his very questionable behavior and down-right crappy pastoral performance says a mouthful.
Cardinal Dolan will blow off letters and even statements made to him in person.
THE ONLY option now is to go to the media. St. Frances de Chantal can survive, but only if we are blessed by the Lord and he is removed from a position which he obviously has no business being in.
Submitted by Anonymous51:
Monsignor Edward Weber is, in fact, head of Priest Personnel as of today. I called that office. But since Fr. Miqueli has two friends on the Board, it is necessary to go around this group who will not address the issues at hand.
Submitted by Anonymous50:
Why did Father Anthony leave? He was the best thing we had. My heart aches!!!! He was a true man of the cloth!!! Was it because of Father Miqueli? It kills me to even put the word Father in front of his name
Submitted by Anonymous49:
Ok so you have Ten signatures. It seems a handful of evil doers are signing anonymous over and over. maybe the people he let go we're stealing and your upset fr. Peter put an end to it
>> First of all, it is not a handful of people, but rather a large number of different people that are submitting experiences - that is a fact based on the system through which experiences are submitted. Second, your "other people stealing money" idea is entirely and ridiculously false. And third, if you believe that Fr. Miqueli is not in the wrong, then you are unfortunately part of the group who are blind to what is actually happening.
Submitted by Anonymous48:
From Whitepages.com
Keith R Crist 417 Cornell Dr
Brick, NJ 08723-5013
People Keith may know Peter A Miqueli. Miqueli owns this property. Why Brick, NJ when his family is on Long Island and he is an ARCHNY priest? Is is far enough away from prying eyes?
Submitted by Anonymous47:
A representative of the Archdiocese will just blow us off and waste our time.
Dolan and the Pope are the only ones who we should be looking to address. Add in Ken Arenholz, one of our alumni, who is the Director of Finance. Misappropriation of, and soliciting funds (under false pretenses) should be addressed with Ken.
Sadly, I think we'd get more of a response from the Pope than from the Cardinal.
Submitted by Anonymous46:
Hey, a parish Town Hall meeting is a great idea with an open microphone and we could invite the news media. Its our church and our money. We could hold the Town Hall Meeting in the parking lot of OUR CHURCH! We must open this up to the entire community to speak out.
Its a fact that Miqueli and Cappola are cowards and they will not dare show up to face the truth in public in front of the media or in fornt of our community even with no media.
Lets organized it and get this down. Anyone in agreement?
Submitted by Anonymous45:
No more letters. We must demand to meet with the official of the ARCHNY face to face. We must demand a formal meeting. We must call the media and organize a town hall meeting at St Frances to expose the truth of what is happening to the entire church community. No more hiding the facts and being silent by just writing letters. Letters will be ignored and simply placed in his personnel file and the officials will do nothing.
My heart bleeds for the good and holy priest of our community area who suffer the stigma and disgraceful embarrassment of men like " Fr. Peter Miqueli and Deacon George Cappola.
What a shame.
Submitted by Anonymous44:
What kind of situation is this if the majority of the parishioners don't have ANY trust in the pastor and think he's immoral? A very large group of people who aren't connected don't make this stuff up. The total lack of trust is based on actions, deeds and attitude... and a veil of secrecy around all parish operations and finances, where there was none before. Something is being hidden...by Fr. Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous43:
I would be interested to know who paid for Keith Crist's fee for the pilgrimage if he was Deacon George's "helper". If parish funds were used to take him along, or if George had to pay from Keith's vacation, that would be horrible and wrong.
Submitted by Anonymous42:
Anonymous39: What will Cardinal Dolan say if this scandalous affair hits the media? He'll take the side of Miqueli, for sure.
The only thing that the Archdiocese will notice and react to is when the parishioners stop making donations to the collection. If they aren't getting their cut, they will want to know what's happening and will investigate. They will get someone good and likeable into the rectory if he causes the well to run dry.
We can support SFdC by making our contributions to the school where we know that it is being handled properly and helping the kids. Miqueli takes up collections at church that are supposed to go to the school - and they don't. That is confirmed. This is misappropriation of funds and maybe even a form of fraud.
Submitted by Anonymous41:
Oh my God, our Church is now being closed after 9am mass as ordered by the Mr. Miqueli and according to Mr. George Cappolla it's because it cost to much money to keep a light on in the adoration chapel! So closing the church is the answer.
Now we can't even go pray in our church during the day. We are suffering and the worse is yet to come. Satan is rejoicing because these men controlling our church are evil and have betrayed the sacrament of holy orders, and the Church.
May God help us!
Submitted by Anonymous40:
This is man peter miqueli is disgraceful and demonic.
I can't even bring myself to call him a priest and even less give him the title of father. He is living in relationship as the partner of a homosexual prostitute named keith crist, a man who migueli took with him to rome, the holy land, and to his own mother's funeral/wake service. The man has no shame and his mother must be turning in her grave!
He uses everyone to cover up for him especially the employees in the rectory. He fired everyone and has only 2 people he can control and intimidate because they are yes people. One is some woman he hired personally and the other is deacon George Cappolla, both who are yes people, and a have a huge role in miqueli's cover up.
Mr. George Cappola is involved covering up Miqueli's homosexual relationship with keith, his financial misdeeds with our parish collection and the improper counting of money, all the missing Sunday second collections, false financial reporting, and the scandalous sexual misconduct of this disgraceful man.
The fact is that George Cappolla serves to enable Peter Miqueli by covering everything up for him. They are both habitual liars and will lie to your face as well as to the archny- dolan, walsch, and safe environment. George Cappola is supposed to be a representative of the safe environment in archny. His name appears in the Catholic NY as a contact person for reporting sexual misconduct of clergy, and laity in the archny. What a joke!
We must go public and demand that both Miqueli and George be removed and investigated. What kind of a man turns his back on the people he is supposed to be protecting. Especially our children! George Cappolaa is the person that is supposed to report sexual misconduct allegations to safe environment in archy and investigate, but instead he covers everything up. Our ch8ldren are at risk and in danger at sfdc. We must go public and reveal these predators for what they are. No wonder the catholic church is so disgraced, its because of men like these who disgrace their holy orders. Hey mr. Cappola we are going to expose you also. You have betrayed our community, our children, and the church! Resign from sfdc and as a safe environment contact or be prepared for you and your wife and children to suffer the shameful and disgraceful consequences of the truth when you and miqueli are finally publically exposed to the news media for what you are doing to the Church.
Submitted by Anonymous39:
Cardinal Dolan, please explain why every other church in our area of the Bronx has had Pastors put in place, who have clearly established themselves as true spiritual leaders. Such as Fr. Steve Norton at St.Benedicts, Msgr. Graham at St.Raymonds and Fr. Derivan at St.Teresas. Fr. Derivan is replacing Fr. Grippo. Fr. Derivan is one of the most respected priests in the diocese. Why does St. Teresa's receive such blessings from you and yet we are expected to embrace such punishment. Why in the wake of Fr. Sullivan's abrupt departure, would you recklessly assign someone here with a such a sordid past, deviant character and scandalous reputation. You frequently testify to the media your devotion and allegiance to your parishioners of this diocese. Your response to those who have reached out to you regarding this matter expresses anything but concern for our parish. In not so many words, you have regarded us as complainers who will never be happy with who ever you have chosen to put here. It is time to stop sweeping all of our grave concerns under your cathedral rugs and take what we are saying seriously. The last thing anyone wants is scandal which will result in yet another media frenzy. What will you have say to the cameras then?
Submitted by Anonymous38:
DEFINITELY write to Cardinal Dolan at his residence at 452 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
DEFINITELY DO NOT contact his brother who invited us to do so below. That would be a fruitless effort. The Miqueli family (hopefully) doesn't have to put up with his nonsense. And if their brother is like our "pastor", then I feel sorry for them. In fact, why hasn't Fr. Miqueli ever publicly addressed our issues? I think we know why.
The bottom line is, priests are just people, not rulers or kings of their parishes like Fr. Miqueli thinks he is. If he even made an effort to connect with the parishioners or try to improve his pastoral or business skills, that would have been met with positivity from the parish. Instead he distances himself from the people, is totally aloof and uncooperative, and he makes it known that he doesn't need or want parishioner support or involvement. To have the pastor pretty much tell everyone to back off and mind our business is an outrage.
WHAT is going on behind the closed doors of the rectory? And why is he pushing out almost everyone who might be able to see what's happening?
No one can expect or demand respect. It must be earned by your deeds. So if Fr. Miqueli is wondering why people have zero respect for him and are working to get rid of him, he has no further to look than in his own mirror and heart. He knows that he has done nothing to be a true pastor.
Msgr. Jordan, Msgr. Halpin and Msgr. Devlin must be rolling over in their graves to see this unqualified, sorry excuse for a parish leader to be dragging the church community down into ashes and not having the Archdiocese do a damned thing about it.
Submitted by Anonymous37:
Wow!!! You know something is seriously wrong with Miqueli when his own brother signs the petition to get rid of him and includes this info:
joseph miqueli PASADENA, MD about 1 month ago
I am Joseph Miqueli.Peter miquelis older brother.my phone number is 4103027063. My heart goes out to your congregation. I feel very sorry that he is anybody's pastor,& I am embarrassed that he is my brother.
Submitted by Anonymous36:
I have three friends who are pastors at parishes within the Archdiocese of NY. When it was announced that Fr. Miqueli would be coming to St. Frances de Chantal Parish all three said "bad fit" at three separate times and places.
He had a well-known reputation among his brother priests before he even got to Throggs Neck.
The Archdiocese sent us a dud and they knew it.
Submitted by Anonymous35:
To the poster who considers enrolling their child at SFdC school, do so with confidence.
Almost all Catholic elementary school have come from under parish control in 2013-2014. Fr. Miqueli's role is essentially as chaplain. Fortunately this poor example of a pastor and spiritual advisor to kids or adults never has much at all to do with the school.
He has no influence or impact on St. Frances de Chantal School.
Submitted by Anonymous34:
To Fr. Miqueli's relatives who have chosen to post here. You are not at our parish and experiencing the MANY horrible things that parishioners, school families (parents and children), employees and other are shocked and disgusted to be confronted with. I, too, would defend my brother. Your experience with him is totally different than ours.
Fr. Miqueli has neither the people, administrative or financial skills to be a pastor. His poor judgement and actions have been chronicled in the media. He has been warned more than once by the Archdiocese about his "special friend", Keith. He apparently has no regard for the mandates of his superiors at the Archdiocese because Keith was back at the rectory not long after his ban. If Keith has any care for Fr. Miqueli, he would be doing him a favor by staying away from the parish and neighborhood so as to keep controversy at a low.
St. Frances de Chantal people - did you know that because a parish is a non-profit institution that you are entitle to walk right into the rectory and ask to see the books? And by law, you are entitled to have the book presented to you immediately? Use that right; I am sure you will not see any financials because there is much to hide.
Lots of people have written to the vicar, Msgr. Graham. However, the next step up the ladder is the Priest Personnel board and with two good friends (Tony Sorgie and Msgr. Greg Muscante) having A LOT of pull, it will never make it anywhere by going through the proper channels.
One Monsignor who if very well aware of our situation and of Fr. Miqueli told more than one person that "the only way to get rid of him is by contacting Rome directly."
Going to the media may work, too. So sad that things are so political and un-transparent at the Archdiocese that this may be the only way to get the attention of Cardinal Dolan. It gives a black eye to a once-great parish and to our community.
If everyone stopped their weekly donations to the church and make the contributions to the school then I guarantee you that Cardinal Dolan would take notice. But this action would have to be accompanied by a storm of letters directly to his office explaining that your support of SFdC will not be to the church until Fr. Miqueli is gone.
St. Benedict's is a thriving church full of former SFdC parishioners. Why? Because pastors are in short supply and we've been less than fortunate of late. St. Benedict's has been lucky to get someone with those skills who is a true teacher and shepherd of his flock. Fr. Miqueli behaves like an selfish teenager who makes life miserable unless he gets things his way.
BRING BACK FR. BILL CLEARY. That should be our demand. People would flock back to the parish and school and fill the collection plate like never before. Fact is that Fr. Miqueli absolutely thinks he is the king of the parish and we peons are to be treated as such.
A PARISH IS ITS PEOPLE. ST. FRANCES DE CHANTAL IS OUR PARISH - NOT FR. MIQUELI'S. BAND TOGETHER AND WITH A SINGLULAR, CONCERTED EFFORT, HE (AND KEITH) WILL BE A BAD, DISTANT MEMORY.
We all know who the key players are in trying to get rid of Miqueli. Everyone needs to band together and work as a single unit....and act NOW.
Submitted by Anonymous33:
From the pastor's desk, July 20th bulletin:
"...so that I can focus on some of the administrational aspects of the parish that need more attention."
Sure, ok. Whatever you say.
It's hard to believe he still writes these lies in the church bulletin to make it seem as though he is actually doing something.
Submitted by Anonymous32:
People please be careful you might be mislead or even if you're not stop and think about who will take his place once you remove him from his duties. This page/petition might be to get you to put someone who wants knock down the church and put up a shop in its place or even turn the church into something that is no longer a holy place of worship. please stop and remember that not everything said on the internet is true and even if something was once true it can be turned into a lie.
>> We are parishioners trying to save our parish. What you are saying is exactly what we are trying to prevent. Yes, not everything on the internet can be true, but what this page stands for is far from a lie.
Submitted by Anonymous31:
I am peters brother please feel free to ask me any and all questions. Richie Miqueli [email protected]
Submitted by Anonymous30:
I am considering enrolling my toddler at SFDC school. How much involvement will the pastor and his "friend" have at the school? How connected are the school and this church?
I am astonished that the archdiocese allows this man to preach. I also wonder why very few people have signed the petition.
Submitted by Anonymous29:
Why all these people do not sign their name when make any evil comment? why ? Theresa
Submitted by Anonymous28:
Why is it that Fr. Miqueli seems to never say mass? Way to take advantage of your fellow priests. I feel so sorry for Fr. Antony and Fr. Joseph.
Submitted by Anonymous27:
How and why is it taking over 4 weeks to count the Easter collection? Also for the past couple of months, the collection report in the bulletin has been delayed several times, even on normal Sundays. Suspicious.
Submitted by Anonymous26:
I am upset at the parishioners of SFdC for not doing more to get rid of this menace. Fr. Miqueli is a lying cheat who needs to be run out of this great parish. It is upsetting that people still refuse to open their eyes and see the evil that is right in front of them. The Archdioceses does know about Keith but refuses to do anything about him. Shame on them. Whatever "proof" Keith has is a lie considering his well known past of violence and threats. So thank goodness we have his prayers...
Submitted by Anonymous25:
James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Submitted by Anonymous24:
Why is there DJ equipment being stored in plain sight in the Church?
Submitted by Anonymous23:
My child is making Confirmation this year. Fr. Miqueli says he wants to keep costs down, so how is it that the Confirmation fee has gone from $75 to $150? We used to be able to keep the robes, now we are expected to return them. The children used to go on retreat, and there is no indication that they will even do that this year. How do you explain this? Where is all this money going, because it is most definitely not benefiting the children.
Submitted by Anonymous22:
I think that it's disgraceful that for first time in decades, the children making First Holy Communion will not have a special day dedicated to this significant event. My child included. Instead they will receive their Sacrament with the congregation at regular Sunday Mass instead of having their own special day. I guess this is how he will get away with taking up a collection during Sacraments. Last year, a basket was passed around during Confirmation, how tactless. A collection has never been taken up during Confirmation. Maybe this is he how pays his Cardinal friend for his services.
Submitted by Anonymous21:
Shame on the Archdiocese of NY! You have knowledge of the antics of Fr. Miqueli, and still do nothing about it. How can you choose this life of service to God and then completely disregard all his teachings? How many lawsuits does it take before you handle your business? Those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.
Submitted by Anonymous20:
I am sure that there are many more stories out there. How many more things need to be happen before action is taken? Our once thriving parish is now so broken. Mass attendance is down, the children of the parish don't want to participate as they once did, Parish Council is non existent, and the cooperation of the many organizations has fallen apart. When Fr. Michael Sullivan came to our parish, he ruffled a few feathers at first and some people were unhappy. However, he proved to be a hard working, dedicated, honest and open, spiritual priest. His intentions were transparent; that our parish and school would grow, and endure for another 80 years. Fr. Miqueli is not the same type of priest that Fr. Sullivan was. Even Fr. Grace, who was only here for about 2 months, was more available and participated in the events of our community than Fr. Miqueli has in the almost 2 years he has been pastor.
Submitted by Anonymous19:
It's amazing how many people are writing and sharing their experiences here. Parishioners of SFdC have written letters to the clergy listed here on this website. The Arch tells you to report the information, you do as they advise, are told that changes will be made or the situation looked into, with the final response being that there is nothing that can be done and that St. Frances de Chantal is never happy with their pastor, and are constant complainers. It is sad that parishes all over the Bronx and Westchester are talking about SFdC and what a joke our parish as become. It is disgraceful that the Catholic Church has such a lack of interest in its parishioners.
Submitted by Anonymous18:
I don't know about some of the things he is being accused of but I do know that he is untrustworthy, a liar, is barley ever around. He is LAZY! It does appear that many of the things being said about him are true.
Submitted by Anonymous17:
I did not want to believe the stories about this priest Peter Miqueli but the truth is that he is always pushing a second collection on Sunday and the money is not accounted for or announced in our church bulletin. Something is not right with this man and it seems that he is unfit to be a pastor and that the archny has sent our GREAT parish St Frances de Chantal another one of their problem priest. I wonder who paid for his lover Keith's trip to Italy and Israel, Miqueli or our second collections. I also was on the parish pilgarmiage to Israel and it was very clear to me and everyone else on the trip that Miqueli and Keith are in love with each other. Their body language does not lie and sparks fly when they are near eachother. Any one who has a chance to spend some time around them will easily pick up on their intimate relationship and it is clear that they are both homosexuals and intimately involved.. Hey Peter Miqueli, stop disgracing the Church Have the COURAGE to accept the truth about yourself and leave the priesthood before you scandalize our parish and the archny
Submitted by Anonymous16:
I am from St frances cabrini on Roosevelt island. Peter Miqueli is thief he can not be trusted with the collection money. He nearly bankrupted our community and left us in financial ruins. Be aware because this man loves money. He and keith were the only ones allowed to count the collection money and always did so in the privacy of his apartment. Any money collected from a second collection was seldom and I dare say never accounted for. People are afraid to come forward with this truth because he has friends in high places within the archny who also protect him and will do nothing to expose this thief. the archny should audit the financial records for the 12 years during which he served as a thieving pastor. He is a common crook!
Submitted by Anonymous15:
Sadly, the accusations that are being made about this priest Peter Miqueli are TRUE. He is a very shady person and since his arrival as pastor of sdfc in the Bronx he has lived a life of secret weekly "hook ups" and getaways with his lover Keith. I was on the parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land and so was Miqueli's lover. In fact, they both flew down as partners on another airline and also flew back without us. The cover up was that supposedly Keith was on the trip as the personal aide to Deacon George Cappolla who clearly is aware of everything that is happening at the parish and protects the pastor with his silence to a fault. Shame on you Mr. Cappolla it is clear that you have chosen serving and covering up for Peter Miqueli instead of serving the church.
Submitted by Anonymous14:
Where are you going to get the funds to help you with your lawsuit? Possibly the second collections from mass that are never recorded. Thank you for your prayers.
God bless.
Submitted by Anonymous13:
Have you all not been listening to scripture readings?
Luke 16:10
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."
1 Corinthians 15:18
"Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
I have proof to defy your cowardly and anonymous false accusations, and apart from praying for all of you, I am left with no other choice than to pursue a lawsuit.
God Bless,
Keith
Submitted by Anonymous12:
Fr. Peter Miqueli is a disgraceful man and has betrayed the priesthood. He should be removed as pastor of sfdc and he is unfit to be a priest. This man had the audacity not even show up for mass or confessions on Palm Sunday, instead he was at his house in Brick, NJ for the entire week before Palm Sunday. Peter Miqueli is a immoral man and disgrace to our community and the ARCHNY.
Submitted by Anonymous11:
Not only did Fr. Peter Miqueli take Keith Crist with him on our parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but he didn't travel with us. Instead, he flew to Italy on a different airline with his lover (Keith Crist) and then took a flight from Rome, Italy to Israel. At the end of our pilgrimage he did not return back to the New York with us. Instead, he and Keith Crist flew back to Italy and spent five days alone with each other in Rome. This man is a disgrace to the priesthood and should be removed from St. Frances de Chantal immediately. When they finally returned to New York, Fr. Miqueli came back to the parish for one day and then left to be with Keith Crist in their home located in Brick, NJ.
Submitted by Anonymous10:
I'm sorry to hear of your problems with Miqueli. I could write a book about him from St. Frances Cabrini, but I'm not sure it would do you any good. You see the Director of Priests' Personnel is now Anthony Sorgie, who way back in seminary days, added Miqueli to the choir so he could accompany them to Rome. The female doc, is a psychiatrist, that presents as borderline psychotic - that's an impression not a diagnosis. Her name is Ruth and, since Miqueli's associates are mostly from 'Courage,' I believe she must be as well - or someone he worked with when 'counselling' schizophrenics and drug addicts. This was at a time that he told others that he was working as an elevator operator. Ruth only arrived on the Island after Miqueli took over.
His first act was to take $12k collected by NYPD retired detective Mary Fitzgerald, and apply it to the 'candle' fund. The candles on R Is were electric, btw. He drove the octogenarian Daughter of Charity off the Island and said she 'would never be buried on Roosevelt Island.'
He got rid of Sr Regina. She and I had our issues, but he chased her off for 'hiring illegals' in the Thrift Shop. That brought in about 3k a month, I believe and yes, the CYO was disbanded.
As for 'hiring illegals,' for a time he had as parish secretary, an illegal that hit all the marks of a Saudi agent. Seriously. She met the wrong person in me.
So they started the 'crazy lady' rumors.
Miqueli did not show up for Mass one morning, and the SEcurity and Maintenance had to break into the apartment. They told me off the record that there was a young man in bed with him.
His closest associate on St. F Cab was an obnoxious women who had been told by the FBI to clear out of the Javits Center and never return during a mob raid. This woman, the CCD director for 20 years or more only spoke to me once in the whole time, and that was to try to ascertain whether the local pro-Aborts attempts to have me audited were successful. Her apartment was raided by the NYPD and her son arrested - there was an arsenal and shedload of drugs in her apartment, and she and Miqueli are still buddy buddy.
He was obnoxious to me, while using me, as he did everyone.
He would start Exposition then sit in the office, smoking.
He would drive one away from Adoration or silent prayer as the Chapel was next to the office and he didn't want any one listening in.
The first Holy Thursday, he would not wash the feet of the parishioners but brought over a very sweet, but overweight and older Franciscan with ortho problems to kneel down and do it for him. He ran this dear man ragged saying that the parishioners were selfish and wouldn't help him.
This, of course, was false. He discarded so much good will.
In Lent he went on vacation to Florida.
After two attempts on my life on that crazy place - because if Christ is not honored as King, then guess who takes over - I found support and solace with the Good Shepherd, Protestant community.
I don't wish him harm; but if this Keith Crist is what he appears to be, Miqueli needs to take a long hard look at his life and choices and start changing them.
Be grateful that he does not go to the school. He seems instinctively or consciously to avoid contact with youth.
He survived CAbrini because it is not a strong, Faith based Parish; it is divisive,predominantly left wing and 'cafeteria' and Roosevelt Island, per se, is run on Alinsky principles.
As for Cardinal Dolan, I have one question: Anthony Sorgie as Director of Priests' Personnel - why?
Submitted by Anonymous9:
St. Frances Cabrini is not a tiny parish. The services were full and there was a thriving community until Peter Miqueli arrived. Immediately the CYO was disbanded and all the good work of our parish ended. Our beloved parish minister resigned and moved off the island the minute he arrived. He is the worst kind of person and how anyone, let alone a church would sanction his employment is a disgrace.
Submitted by Anonymous8:
I live on Roosevelt Island and am not a member or the parish but every single thing you say happened here. No records, no care for the community and a very tyranical human. He "chased" a person at a funeral to eat the communion wafer faster. He was an embarassment to the community. The happiest day was the one when everyone heard he was leaving. Watch out our your parish will be ruined.
Submitted by Anonymous7:
Although I do not appreciate the uncharitable characterization of St. Frances Cabrini as a "tiny 'parish'", as a parishioner there I must say that your overall depiction of Father Miqueli is all too accurate. His fixation on cash collections was fanatical, and he had a cohort - an alleged Secular Franciscan "Doctor" - with whom he ran the parish into the ground. If one placed checks in the collection plate, they would take up to six months to clear, presumably as an incentive for parishioners to drop in greenbacks. You can forget about spiritual direction. It would be interesting to find out why the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who helped to establish St. Frances in the 1970s, suddenly left around 2010. (I did not appreciate the Mets jacket, either.) There should be a rigorous examination of this scandalous priest - if the sin of scandal is still recognized as a sin in these days of public depravity.
Submitted by Anonymous6:
He has a cardinal in his back pocket.I would think the Arch would consider this an embarrassment and get rid of him. Shameful!
Submitted by Anonymous5:
He refused Baptism to a baby, because a member of the party was late. And didn't have the balls to tell them himself and had a parishioner go back and tell the parents he was not coming back to do the Baptism. He is a real peach.
Submitted by Anonymous4:
Listen to the latest " Nonsense"...he has a Confirmation meeting on 1/27/14 and just about everyone is on time...He instructs the CCD head liason to tell all of us he will be late becacuse parents are never on time. Then he shows with a Mets jacket on....Hey Miqueli...this is the Bronx. All paper work is handed out, he answers questions.....And orders everyone that the ROBES must be returned after the ceremony in June.....We are paying for the ROBES....He will get them back burned before we hand them back. And the final straw is the papers with the increased fees are handed out after he leaves......HE is a Coward......
Submitted by Anonymous3:
The religious education at the parish is of no importance to the Pastor. Apart form the parish school's CCD Program there is nothing else. Fr. Peter Miqueli is LAZY and Selfish! He is unfit to be a Pastor of a parish that has so much to offer. The parish does not have a proper RCIA program and he is never around. All they care about is money and are always pushing a second collection just about every Sunday. Fr. Miqueli has a lot to learn about being a priest during this time of new evangelization. God help us.
Submitted by Anonymous2:
Ed Weber is no longer on the Priest Personnel Board. In fact, Miqueli has two friends on that board and nothing will get to the entire board. It is our task to go right over their heads and let everyone know that he has friends who are protecting him from the people of the parish. The parish is the people, and if everyone doesn't band together instead of going separately to the Arch or by sending letters, nothing will ever happen. He has NO BUSINESS being the spiritual and administrative leader of a parish, and you hit the nail right on the head with your description of him.
Submitted by Anonymous1:
Do a Google search of Miqueli and his buddy Keith Crist.......and what pops up is the 2 of them with the same address in Brick NJ......
>> Links regarding the submission above:
Keith - Miqueli
Does anyone think it is unforgivable that our Cardinal has yet to communicate directly with the people of St. Frances de Chantal parish? On Christmas Eve, it will be two full weeks since the story of our disgraceful pastor became widespread, public knowledge. Our Cardinal has time to comment after Mass on Sunday, Dec 13, saying that he “admired’’ Miqueli’s decision to step down." (NY Post) Our Cardinal further stated, “It’s horrible, isn’t it?” and “It’s dark, it’s somber, it’s dreary. I’m sad for the good people at that parish." (NY Post - Dec 14) Apparently, although he is "sad" for us, he feels no obligation to communicate with us to assure us that he is in the process of selecting an interim pastor for our parish. He hasn't found it necessary to send us a message of support and encouragement. Is it even too much to let us know he is praying for us? We were abused by Miqueli and now we are ignored by Miqueli's boss. I am frequently shocked, but never surprised by the abuse the shepherds are willing to inflict on their flock. We'd be better off if we actually WERE sheep. At least they'd value us for our wool.
Submitted by Anonymous147:
The "malcontents" of St. Frances de Chantal Parish have had their hands forced and now the story is public. God help and save us from what I expect will be the wrath of Cardinal Dolan and ADNY authoritarian and autocrat, Msgr. Greg Mustaciuolo who is the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, friend of Miqueli and all around power-hungry pipsqueak. Let's see who they send to St. Frances de Chantal and if things can get any worse. If that is possible, those two will make it happen.
Submitted by Anonymous146:
To one and all, please do not be swayed by the words of Joseph Zwilling and any agent of the Archdiocese of New York CLAIMING that there is no evidence. This is a huge spin being put on everything that they consume and spit back out to us. Yes, audits have been conducted and no evidence was found. However, those audits were conducted BEFORE Peter Miqueli came to SFdC. Zwilling and Cardinal Dolan are omitting that important piece of information. Ms. Gudin, the former girlfriend of Keith Crist did not meet with the Archdiocese because she was asked to come alone. Frankly, I would not have gone alone either. Peter Miqueli has stated that he was untouchable because of friends in high places and something big that he could hold over the Archdiocese. Yes, he definitely has personal friends on the Priests Personnel Board. Some of these and other insiders have been referred to as the Lavender Mafia. "Lavender" would suggest strongly that they are gay or sympathetic to gay priests. As for what I have seen, heard and read, Mafia says a mouthful and I believe that a handful of the Priest Personnel Board rule with an iron fist and at least one of them considers himself Capo de Tutti Capi. This many yields TREMENDOUS power in so many arenas within the Archdiocese - with little experience or skill - that it is beyond frightening. Especially in this Year of Mercy, expect none of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy to be at the forefront with these Archdiocesan princes and kings. Their game is power and politics where absolute power is their's and it has corrupted them and the hierarchy of the Archdiocese absolutely. And if as Catholic Militant reported, the reason Peter Miqueli was given his first pastorship is correct, he is the lowest of human beings if he accepted a bribe to stay mum on possibly the worst sin of all.
Submitted by Anonymous145:
I am a parishioner of the parish and have read all these accusations and they are absolutely awful if they are true and anyone involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. BUT........ The longer this story goes on the more it seems that there is no actual proof of any of these accusations other than one woman who said she has it and was going to show it but backed out because the archdiocese changed their agreement. That seems weak. Mr. Voris you seem to have all the information on this and make extremely strong accusations without showing one ounce of proof (other than a canceled check which quite frankly means nothing). All it would take is to show one picture, email,text or any piece of evidence that everyone claims exists yet are no where to be found and this would be an open and closed case. But....the evidence is no where to be found and I am sure that if it did exist it would be plastered over every media outlet in the tri state area. Let us not forget that we live in America where you are innocent until proven guilty. But again, your entire function seems to be bashing the Catholic Church with claims that are completely unfounded. The longer this story goes on with no actual evidence the less credible these claims become and is starting to look like everything is based on a scorned ex girlfriend who appears to be less than credible. I am sure your next video will claim that the Pope probably knew about it as well. Please produce one single piece of evidence that so many people claim to have otherwise the people who filed the lawsuit should probably retain another lawyer who will be defending them when they are getting sued. I am sure this post will not make your review since it does not fit your anti catholic agenda.
>> There are details in your submission that need clarification. First of all, this website is not affiliated with Michael Voris and Church Militant. They have taken it upon themselves to follow this story, report, and investigate it. We have posted their findings on this site because it is relevant to our cause. We are very appreciative and grateful for his and Church Militant's contributions, but this website and its moderator do not have contact with Mr. Voris and Church Militant. Second, the cancelled check is absolutely relevant. Fr. Miqueli had no business or any reason to write a check for himself, especially for such a large amount of money. When we began our mission back in 2013 and founded this website in February of 2014, all we asked was that Cardinal Dolan remove Fr. Miqulei from our parish because he was not a good fit for our parish and was not the spiritual leader we needed. However, the Archdiocese failed to do anything, and so he stayed here. As his presence in our parish progressed, we learned that he was not only just a man with a bad attitude and poor leadership shills. We never went out looking for information. Anything that we have brought against Fr. Miqueli and the Archdiocese regarding his sexual escapades and his past of embezzling money was brought to us. The longer that Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese left him here, the more information was shared with us. This forced our hand to file a lawsuit to both save our parish and force the Archdiocese to act. That is why we stand by our convictions against Fr. Miqueli and the Archdiocese. Keith's girlfriend, as well as our parish, want to see justice served. We would not have put in years of effort into our cause if there was nothing substantial to fight for. Lastly, we are anything but anti-Catholic. All that we want at the end of this is to have a stronger church, a church that is honest with its parishioners and is truly centered around the faith and not money or cover-ups. It is by the Archdiocese and Cardinal Dolan's unwillingness to step in and rectify the situation, that we were forced to go to the media, which some may see as us being anti-Catholic. I can guarantee you that we are all faithful parishioners who simply want to return to having a place of worship that is not scarred by corruption and scandal. Some of those essential in this cause have been parishioners for over 50+ years. The dedication that we have to our parish is not anti-Catholic, but shows that we are strong in our faith and in our belief of what the Archdiocese of New York and the Catholic Church needs to rectify to truly return the faith the forefront.
Submitted by Anonymous144:
I have waited 15 years for this. God Bless the the people of your parish.
Submitted by Anonymous143:
As someone who knew Miqueli during his years at the seminary, it was evident to classmates and staff that he was unfit for priestly service. Despite information known knew about before and after ordination, he was allowed to proceed and even become a pastor. He was "right to life" and conservative in his attitude, both of which were tickets to ordination.
Now we all suffer the poor decisions of those responsible for his ordination and for not challenging him once it was evident there were issues following ordination. As is often said about known terrorists after an attack: someone knew something and should have come forward. Well, they knew, many priests knew, and they buried their heads in the sand. The church gets what it deserves.
Submitted by Anonymous142:
I am a certified public accountant and an attorney.
The audit will be very challenging to perform, because accurate records were not kept.
The auditors will be forced to use indirect methods to determine income.
I suspect that peter will not cooperate by detailing all of his expenditures. (The likely source for his expenditures in excess of his known resources is the collection basket.) He may refuse to talk because he does not want to incriminate himself.
The witnesses concerning Peter's expenditures need to be interviewed and cooperate with the auditors. The witnesses may not talk to the auditors.
The church's audit is likely to conclude that they are unable to express an opinion as to the accuracy of the financial statements because of lack of internal controls and inadequate records.
The criminal investigation, which can use the grand jury to obtain evidence, can compel witnesses to testify and provide records.
Another observation, the Church should have internal controls in place to catch parishes that have less than desirable internal controls. The fact that the Church did not find these internal control problems using its own systems is disturbing.
How may other parishes are being cheated?
Submitted by Anonymous141:
My heart goes out to your parishioners. I live in Brick, NJ. The pastor of my Catholic church, St. Martha's, Point Pleasant was recently arrested for sexually assaulting a minor in Trenton. What on earth has happened to the Catholic church in America? I drove past your pastor's house here in Brick tonight. The house is dark, but there is a large SUV parked in the driveway. It bears New York license plates. I will keep your parish apprised of any future activity I see. I am so sorry for what you have had to endure.
Submitted by Anonymous140:
Resignation is not enough in this case! Criminal charges need to be filed and time should be served. Cardinal Dolan should also step down and face charges as well. Enough is enough!!
Submitted by Anonymous139:
I would just like to say how relieved I am that Father Miqueli has stepped down. I am so happy for the St. Frances de Chantal family and hope that you all can begin to pick up the pieces and take back your church. I truly hope you are able to recoup all of the funds that are due your wonderful parish. I have met many of you in the past while visiting your church. I know that there are so many good people here who have gone through Hell these past three years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless all of you and give you the strength to continue with your battle.
Submitted by Anonymous138:
1011 has a long history of shutting down the voices of parishioner dissent and 'kicking the can down the road' in order to placate concerns about corrupt and immoral priests and Archdiocesan employees. In forbidding open discussion regarding irregular activities such as those at your Parish, 1011 has, until now, been able to move those they employ around to different sites (like chess pieces) in order to cover up the truth. However, in the age of the Internet Highway, it will become almost impossible for 1011 to continue their M.O. I was quickly able to find BOTH Peter Miqueli and Keith Crist as residences of the Cornell Street home in Brick, NJ simply by doing a Google search. Even if no monies have been skimmed from your Parish collection plates by Peter Miqueli for his personal use, why would the Archdiocese allow their Priest to cohabitate with another man (or woman) when he has taken the vow of celibacy? Even the appearance of impropriety is enough for the Archdiocese to have immediately forced Peter Miqueli to cease and desist. One question I do have for this forum: Why have the New York Times and WSJ been deafeningly silent on this story? Thoughts?
Submitted by Anonymous137:
This is not the only sodomite scandal that Dolan and Mustaciuolo are covering up. Readers of this site should familiarize themselves with what has been happening at Church of Our Saviour in Manhattan at 36th Street and Park Avenue. The pastor, Father Robbins is living with a catamite there on money from the collection plate. Dolan and his corrupt 1011 First Avenue bureaucrats have been told of this scandalous and criminal behavior for years and they have done nothing--nothing--to stop it.
Submitted by Anonymous136:
I was saddened that not a single mention was made by the Archdiocese to the moral accusations. It is sad that the moral authority in New York is absent. The Archdiocese in its own press release failed to address the moral scandal and is only interested if the law was broken. It seems that God's Law or even the invocation of Jesus' name is too much to expect from the Archdiocese. New York deserves better.
Submitted by Anonymous135:
Maybe the IRS should ask... How does a Priest making $22,000 per year amass a net worth of over a $1,000,000. Are any of your parishioners connected to the IRS or the Parish could be whistle blower.
Submitted by Anonymous134:
As a Bronxite and a Catholic I've followed this horrible situation for a very long time. The torment and grief that your parish has undergone really tests one's faith. I'm happy that the immoral, and corrupt person is no longer there to prologue the torture. You've won the battle. No other parish will ever accept him. All anyone has to do is google his name and all his sleaze will be evident to all. I'm concerned that forging ahead with the lawsuit will result in a phyrric victory. It will be difficult to prove since he stole cash. Taking the accomplishment of his departure is victory enough. Taking on the archdiocese will be grueling and painful. They are very powerful, and have a lot to coverup, and they will spend millions doing it.
>> Yes we have won the battle, but the war is not over. Allowing Fr. Miqueli and the Archdiocese to get off without any punishment is exactly why this issue has arisen in the first place. The Archdiocese needs to learn that these schemes and coverups that they once implemented are not tolerated and deserve punishment. We know that it will be long and grueling, but we want to make sure that something like this does not happen anywhere else in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese thinks that they are powerful and untouchable because of the essence that comes with being a priest. However, there comes a time when a coverup can only hold back so much.
Submitted by Anonymous133:
Anonymous126 mentioned the problem in Googling the address (417 Cornell Dr., Brick, NJ 08723). If you look at the smaller streets around that wrong address placement, you'll find Cornell Dr. The mailboxes in front of the houses have house numbers visible, so it's easy to figure out which is his. This should help: https://goo.gl/maps/LK71f5hCgNN2
Submitted by Anonymous132:
I am very sorry for the upheaval your lovely parish has gone through and co tines to go through but I applaud your perseverance. You are great people of faith, to continue to see this ugly situation through to its current state. Don't stop now; Miqueli may have resigned but justice hasn't been served. Whether we are parishioners or not, all of us members of the Archdiocese of NewYork are owed MANY explanations by our Cardinal. His behavior in regards to this situation is unacceptable. If the media is smart, they will continue to follow this story and expose all the ugly truth.
Submitted by Anonymous131:
I pray for your parish at this holy time of the year. I can't believe all the terrible things that this so-called pastor has done. He should be defrocked immediately, return all the money he squandered and be required to do some kind of community service. If not, he and his boyfriend should be incarcerated !
Submitted by Anonymous130:
The pastor resigned tonight. A letter was read by Deacon Coppola.I feel terrible for both Fr. Steven and Fr. Dennis. They are good priests and have done more than Fr. Miqueli in the time that he has been at our parish.The Archdoicese needs to make a visit to our parish and speak to u.They should be asking,where are the financial reports that should be provided yearly. Come on, the Archdoicese is a business, and why have we , the parish, not made aware of our financial standing. This priest is emotionally not well , as well as physical So many bouts of pneumonia and lengthy vacations,never mind he is not around for most of the week. He chose NOT to get to know the people of this parish Fr. Miqueli brought in his own people.Who oversees the job he is entrusted to? In my job, if I had anything like this, I would be fired. What has taken tha Archdiocese sooooo long to get to the bottom of this? They knew about this from more than a year ago, never mind the parishioners of Roosevelt Island.All I can say is shame on the administration of the Archdiocese, and how the heck can you draw people back into the church, when you can,t even contain your own,and especially when you had been informed. This is extremely discouraging as a Catholic. Come clean !
Submitted by Anonymous129:
As someone who had been very much a part of SFdC for more than ten years and having since moved on, my heart is broken for the good people of this parish. They deserved much better than what they received from Michael Sullivan (who has since left the priesthood and has married - no big loss) and Peter Miqueli. I cannot see how the Archdiocese can keep him as pastor any longer. Even though one is innocent until proven guilty, he has unfortunately lost all credibility after being the poster boy for bad behavior two days running in the NY Post. I hope and pray the Archdiocese will quickly send a good and holy priest to Saint Frances who can begin the healing process that is so desperately needed.
Submitted by Anonymous128:
Looks like the ADNY is going to fight hard, starting to look like a real cover-up
http://archny.org/news/flocknote-on-st-frances-de-chantal-news-story
Submitted by Anonymous127:
Dear Friends
Although I am not a member of your parrish I am a catholic. I have bern reading about this tragic situation you are all experiencing. I am in a word HORRIFIED at the behavior of the archdiocese led by Timothy Dolan. I am so sorry that your donations that you all have worked so hard to earn fell into the hands of a hypocrite pastor. I am also sorry that his demonic behavior has damaged the good priests and the well being of your church. I pray that you all stay strong and stick together to preserve the spirit and love you want the church to represent for you and your family. SHAME on Timothy Dolan and his staff. At the very least he should have removed this shameful man from his role during this investigation. I have no confidence in Timothy Dolan. Where is his moral compass? I stand in solidarity.
Respectfully
Marianne Birarelli
Boston Ma
Submitted by Anonymous126:
Interesting! I tried to locate 417 Cornell Drive in Brick on Google maps - and it insists 417 Cornell Drive is located at a commercial property on Brick Blvd. (Timeline Collectibles)! Even Google is covering for this guy.
Submitted by Anonymous125:
4:30 rosary tmrw (12/12/15) in the chapel. Come pray for our future.
Submitted by Anonymous124:
It is very sad for the parish. What an utter disgrace. Get him out. Prosecute to the fullest extent the law allows. Every Catholic in New York should write a letter to Cardinal Dolan.
Submitted by Anonymous123:
What a disgrace our Archdioces is.
The Archdiocese has long known the problems of Fr.Miqueli. The Archdiocese wants and preaches to help those that are ill, yet they do not help their own. What does Fr. Miqueli have over the Archdiocese. It sounds like a coverup to me.
The Archdiocese and CardinalDolan is to blame for what has happened to St. Frances.
They allowed this behavior to continue form Roosevelt Island to St. Frances.
Fr. Miqueli does not deserve to wear the collar. He has to be removed and never have any control EVER again in a parish.
Submitted by Anonymous122:
What in the world is happening?THE USCCB is supposed to have a O tolerance policy... it seems to only apply to those in the church who they dont fear would expose them for the traitors and pharisee's that they are!This policy includes any misbehavior!!! Every where good holy priest are being persecuted, especially if they are orthodox in their beliefs! you see Fr Peter is not the exception to the rule! He just can't hide his contempt and disdain as well as the others!!! If we believers in the past had not raised our voices all our statues icons paintings tabernacles would have been long gone.outward signs of our inward Faith.they r still trying to protestantize us
Submitted by Anonymous121:
When I think of our pastor, the song "I get by with a little help from my friends" comes to mind. With all the information that has been brought to the archdiocese , they have done nothing to get him out. Cardinal Dolan, Msgr. Mustaciuolo, Cardinal Obrien,and any other priest/friend that knows what he is up to, you should stop protecting him. The truth always comes out.
Submitted by Anonymous120:
The article printed in Roosevelt Island's paper The Wire, is eye opening to say the least. I am sure if the private bank accounts of Fr. Miqueli were audited, a criminal investigation would be warranted. How could Miqueli have bought a home in the Jersey shore, for over $240,000, mortgage free??? Could it be from stipends??!!! Wondering how much cash he also took from his former parish in the name of stipends? Remember, this is the same priest who SIGNED a contract to finance over $1,000 a month to pay for housing for his boyfriend, Keith Crist. The parishioners of SFdC saw a copy of that contract this past summer where Miqueli admits to an annual salary of $30,000. Are the parishioners of SFdC paying the rent of Miqueli's boyfriend,Keith Crist?? The parishioners of St. Frances de Chantal have not had a financial report in the 3 years since Miqueli has been pastor. WHERE IS IT??? Why hasn't the pastoral staff at the rectory produced a financial report? Does the pastoral staff benefit financially in any way for NOT publishing this report to the parishioners of SFdC??? I urge ALL parishioners to read the article from The Wire. Just go back to the home page of this web site and click to the article. We MUST keep asking questions! Since Miqueli REFUSES to speak to parishioners on these topics, I advise all parishioners to write to Cardinal Dolan and demand an independent audit! We just want answers!
Submitted by Anonymous119:
When are we going to get a financial report? Parishioners have received letters and envelopes to give more money every week. Who is running this parish? We deserve to have a financial report It is the responsibility of our pastor to give us this report. Yearly! How can he ask for more money, when we do not know the financial standing of St.Frances? Until then, we will not increase our collection. We have every right to receive this information,and the pastor is required to provide this yearly. The Archdiocese has let this slip until January, but it is 3 years too late.
Submitted by Anonymous118:
Great Googly Moogly! Our pastor has pneumonia yet again! That's three times in his three-year tenure. AND - it has been reported - he's got COPD on top of that! Coal miners in the 19th century had better lungs than our pastor. "What's next?", one might ask.
Submitted by Anonymous117:
One thing that I have always admired about SFdC Church is its music ministry. In past years, the music program was second to none. Big events like The Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday and Christmas were nothing short of spectacular. Also, there were performances of incredibly high caliber throughout the year. People would come from miles around to worship with us.
Now, under the direction of this buffoon Miqueli, it has stopped. Our music director left, and of course Miqueli has not even begun to look for a new one (although he is telling people he is looking). He has someone coming in to do weddings and funerals and the cantor is plucking notes on the piano during Sunday mass. Its all very sad,
All this makes you wonder why he is still there? Who is he able to blackmail in the Archdiocese so they won't get rid of his sorry self?
Bottom line is SFDC, one of the most thriving parishes in the ADNY is ruined. The Archdiocese of NY just stood around and watched it happen. Then they wonder why nobody trusts them, donations have ceased and people are leaving Catholic parishes and schools.
Sad, very sad!
Submitted by Anonymous116:
Tues, October 27, 2015
When is the last time there was a parish celebration at St. Frances de Chantal? Yes, we celebrate Mass daily. Yes, Christmas and Easter are welcome liturgical celebrations to which we bring our own personal joy.
My question is, when is the last time our parishioners gathered to enjoy each other’s company under a parish roof? Do you remember the joy with which we descended into the lower church lobby after Easter Vigil Mass? We enjoyed some light refreshment together. The RCIA candidates who were baptized and confirmed brought their families. Choir members sang some fun songs. Deacon Coppola beat the tambourine to our “horse & chariots” chorus from the Exodus reading. This was not an expensive undertaking, yet the joy we felt was as if it cost a fortune.
For many years, there was a ‘Thank You’ dinner provided by the parish for volunteers - the Eucharistic ministers, lectors, blood drive workers, choir members, rectory staff – all were invited to enjoy an evening together, helping themselves to hot chafing dishes provided by the pastor. It was not lavish, but it was fun and we felt appreciated…and WE appreciated it.
Sadly, our current pastor spends much more energy pitting his parishioners against one another than fostering good will and spiritual amity among them. He’s an evil magician: “Don’t watch my hands counting your cash in the privacy of my room. Look over there at those people (who speak the truth about me). THEY’RE the evil ones.”
In the Oct 25 bulletin, our pastor once again attacked his parishioners who simply want to bid a fond farewell to Father Antony, a good and holy priest who served our parish and our spiritual needs for all his tenure here. Fr. Miqueli maligned them as “a few malcontents” as he tried to justify yet another of his many evil deeds. As usual, he created an imaginary situation where “a woman came to the rectory”. As usual, the woman was “upset” – not, heaven forefend! by something Miqueli did, but by the acts of “a few malcontents” who are, of COURSE, acting against his good and kind self.
Questions: If so “few” of us create the problem in our parish, why are the pews so empty? Why are so many former SFdC parishioners filling the pews at St. Benedict? Why is Fr. Norton so very aware of the horror that St. Frances has become? Why are our collections so low? Why has he had to empty the rectory of eyewitnesses to his deeds? Why have so many people who go to him for confession reported abuse & unkindness in the confessional? This “priest” abuses everyone who happens to be in front of him when he’s in a bad mood. And, believe me, the abused among us number many more than a “few”.
At the end of his harangue in the bulletin, Fr. Miqueli had the unmitigated audacity to solicit donations “in Fr. Anthony’s (sic) name.” And – WHADDYA KNOW? – the people who want to donate should see MIQUELI!! He doesn’t even PRETEND that Fr. Antony is going to get the money. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING CHUTZPAH!!!! (And, throughout his scolding, Fr. Miqueli misspelled Fr. Antony’s name SEVEN times. Can you believe this detestable serpent cannot even bother to get the name right. What a peach!!!)
And now, this repulsive cleric has been mandated by the Archdiocese to conduct a “Sharing Our Gifts” campaign. In his letter dated October 26, Fr. Miqueli states that, “as you may know, our parish is currently conducting” this campaign. Huh? We never heard of it until we received a postcard in the mail about it on Friday, Oct 23. Apparently, our lazybones pastor was slow off the mark and the ADNY initiated the mailing over his slothful head.
In his October 26 letter, Fr. Miqueli repeated the lie he has told MANY times. He states that we are in the black for the first time in “20 years”. I believe Michael Sullivan, several parish managers, and an ADNY auditor from 2010 are in a position to dispute this mendacious declaration. Apparently, our pastor employs the method of propaganda attributed to Joseph Goebbels: “Repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
If “all our bills are paid in full”, why did he solicit money at last weekend’s Masses to purchase flowers for next weekend? At Sunday Mass on Oct 18, the flowers were half-dead on the altar and - UNBELIEVABLY! – the same dead flowers were on the altar on Oct 25. If we are so flush, why can't the parish buy fresh flowers once a week? Isn’t that a “cost of doing business” in a church? Especially one with its “bills paid in full”? This pearl of a pastor even puts the bite on local funeral homes to buy flowers for events like Confirmation – and NEVER gives credit to the businesses for their contribution. Further, he charges a $150 fee to the Confirmation candidates. Yet the parish can’t put fresh flowers on the altar of the Lord?
The misery continues! Joy, peace and spirituality will elude us until the ADNY removes this malignancy from our dear parish.
Submitted by Anonymous115:
Tues, October 20, 2015
Who put the bee in Fr. Miqueli’s bonnet today?!
Before the 9 AM Mass, he came through the street doors of the church in an aggravated state and went hurriedly to the sacristy, speaking to none of the parishioners gathered before the Mass. After vesting, he again bypassed the parishioners without a greeting, swung the door open angrily, let it swing shut and went into the church, took up a Missal from a pew and proceeded to the altar to celebrate Mass. What a blessed inspiration!!!
A number of parishioners had already been in the front pews praying the Rosary when Fr. Miqueli arrived to offer Mass. They saw none of his pastoral temper tantrum. Yet, they remarked after Mass that Fr. Miqueli appeared to be in an irritated state all through the Mass. It was noticed that he did not bestow his customary blessing on the baby who attends the 9:00Mass every day with his grandmother. And no one failed to notice the absence of a homily.
Hmmm…Perhaps his family has caused Fr. Miqueli’s stormy outlook? It has been reported by several of his siblings that they are planning to take action against him for misappropriation of their parents’ estate. May God grant them success!
Is the planned farewell gathering for Fr. Susai Antony getting under Fr. Miqueli’s skin? Fr. Antony was a beloved member of the clerical staff at St. Frances, held in esteem by all who knew him. He is indisputably a good man and, as we know, evil cannot abide the presence of good. Fr. Antony is returning to his native India, due, in no small part, to Fr. Miqueli’s behind-the-scenes machinations. Fr. Miqueli & Deacon Coppola refused to allow Fr. Antony’s farewell gathering to be announced in the bulletin or from the altar. Neither would they allow the use of the Parish Center as a venue. Regardless, the gathering will be held! All are welcome to attend and to wish Fr. Antony well on Wed, Oct 28, at 7 PM at the Redwood Club on Schurz Av (at Buttrick). No cost to attend. Our love and regard for Fr. Antony must make Fr. Miqueli burn! Good! Just a foretaste of what awaits him in the afterlife, no doubt.
Perhaps Fr. Miqueli has read the recent piece in the Roosevelt Island Main Street WIRE and the ensuing letters to the editor. Hope so! He should know that the people of St. Frances de Chantal are never going to rest until he is made to pay for his misdeeds, whether it is the State of New York, the NY Archdiocese, the parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini & St. Frances de Chantal or his family that FINALLY demand and receive just recompense.
Or, perhaps the devil had a slow day and decided to ply his pitchfork to torture one of his own.
Submitted by Anonymous114:
Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Father Richard Marrano, parochial vicar at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Manhattan; Mrs. Bogna McGarrigle, music director at a Catholic Church on the East Side of Manhattan; Ms. Jennifer Cardoni, music director at a combined parish in Westchester County. What do all these people have in common? They were the most recent music directors at SFdC who were hired by a pastor who cared about providing good liturgical music that enhanced worship in our parish. These musicians have gone on to do great things after having served in our parish.
Father Miqueli knew for at least a month that Jennifer Cardoni had accepted a position at another parish (one might ask why) and he did nothing to arrange for a suitable replacement for this position so important to the worship life of our parish community.
Since the days of Jennifer Pascual, and continued by her successors, our parish had a wonderful concert series which was largely funded by the Friends of Music at SFdC. Gone is the concert series due to the lack of support by our “pastor.” The Friends of Music became wary of contributing because who could be sure their money would go toward the music program under Father Miqueli’s leadership, or lack thereof, so they are no more.
Christi Chiapetti is a beloved member of our parish but she is not able to take on the job of music director and cantor – she does not play organ or piano. Our parish deserves a qualified music director who will lead both the adult and children’s choirs. Not only should the person be interviewed by the pastor but also by a parishioner or two who are qualified in the field of liturgical music.
Submitted by Anonymous113:
This "priest" refused my daughter the sacrament of Confirmation because he first claimed that my sister, who was to be her sponsor, was not a catholic in good standing. He demanded a letter from her parish stating that she was a parishioner. My sister got that letter and it was faxed to the parish office on Roosevelt Island. Fr Miqueli claimed he never received the letter. It was re-sent immediately by my sisters parish in Richmond, Va. One week prior to confirmation he claimed that my daughter had missed too many confirmation classes and would not be confirmed. My daughter was the only child in his class who had submitted a paper on her selected saint and missed 3 classes due to family illness. When I confronted him he said she was not to be confirmed! That was the last day either myself or my daughter ever stepped foot in the Catholic Church. This man has stolen more than just money from parishioners and is a disgrace. He needs to be stopped and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Catherine Holmes Roosevelt island , New York
Submitted by Anonymous112:
Right you are, #111! Oh, to be blessedly idle from mid-July through Labor Day!!! Wouldn’t most of us working stiffs have been happy, indeed, to enjoy a PAID hiatus of eight consecutive weeks to rest from our labors?
It was, no doubt, eight weeks of fun and frolic on Cornell Drive in Brick, NJ. And, while it was better for our parish to be relieved of the presence of this disgrace of a pastor, he has returned to the scene of his most current crimes to inflict himself upon us once again.
Our efforts to have this pastor removed will continue, unabated and unrelenting. We remain steadfast in our mission. This dishonorable man will be removed - through our efforts and the efforts of others who have joined us – and with the cooperation of the Archdiocese. He WILL be removed.
Evil cannot live among the good. This man cannot meet our eyes without blushing because he knows what we know about him. He cannot meet with his parishioners as a group because he is defenseless against our questions. He cannot maintain relationships with good people because he feels the shabbiness of his own character when faced with the excellence of another’s.
Pity this man! - because we can sometimes fool others, but we cannot deny the truth about ourselves. It is not for us to judge the man's soul. We can only judge his deeds. I fear for him that the truth of his character will, indeed, be an uncomfortable parcel to present to his Creator at the end of his life.
Submitted by Anonymous111:
Love that Miqueli gave himself off for the ENTIRE MONTH of August. He clearly cares about his parish. And where does one go for an entire month? Hmm, how about the house that he co-owns with his boyfriend Keith in Brick, New Jersey! I figure that's a good guess. Shame on Miqueli and shame on the archdiocese for doing NOTHING.
Submitted by Anonymous110:
I was shocked to see Miqueli serving mass, at 5pm, this Saturday (July 25th, 2015). O course, he was there for a reason; the anniversary of his mother's passing. We had to hear all about his mother and his family, half of who hate him! I want to see him address us about all the rumors that are going around..Perhaps we can get miqueli's boyfriend's girlfriend to come over! Miqueli's boyfriend is bisexual. She says she knows plenty!!!!! We could get security for her as she tells the parishioners about Krist and Miqueli. Let Miqueli respond, right then and there! I will continue giving $1.00 in the collection. Even that is too much! I wish Dean Cappola would come forward with the truth! We would all support him! By the way, I don't appreciate any priest sitting with his back towards the Virgin Mary. It's disrespectful!
Submitted by Anonymous109:
This is a very anti-Christian forum, hateful gossip is not the way we were taught. If you believe in the accusations you've made continue to escalate to the higher ups and let them investigate. This lynching of a priest is disgraceful. I don't expect this comment will make the forum, as the only comments posted are those in which you all agree.
>> Being a Christian is standing up for what is morally right. There is a difference between gossip and taking action. We have escalated the issues with Fr. Miqueli to the higher ups, but as they have proven, they choose not to investigate and leave us helpless. This website acts as a means to show that the Archdioceses does not care about SFdC and that the issues with Fr. Miqueli are in fact real and not just miniscule. Also, comments posted are not in which we all agree, but rather help to further our mission.
Submitted by Anonymous108:
A MESSAGE FROM A TRUE SHEPHERD TO HIS FLOCK
Wouldn't it be nice for St. Frances de Chantal to have a pastor who understands his obligations as a priest and a shepherd to his congregation?
St. Benedict Parish Bulletin – July 19, 2015
From the Pastor:
My Dear Parish Family,
Among my responsibilities as Pastor is to watch over the physical property of St. Benedict Church and School. As a Pastor, I am also responsible as steward of the money that you, the people of the parish, donate to the Church. We have two people in the parish that are appointed as Trustees of the parish. Their main responsibility is to watch over me. They are to make sure I am not doing anything that would be illegal or over spending the parish money. Obviously, the Parish Council, as well as the Parish Finance Council, also watches over the parish finances along with our bookkeeper, accountant and the Archdiocese. Still, I feel most responsible to you, the people of the parish, in every aspect of parish life, but especially with finances.
Therefore, I am informing you that we have redone the kitchen in the rectory. The cabinets were falling apart and it was generally a mess. It is a very busy kitchen. We needed to have stronger made cabinets, a new counter top and new flooring. As all of you understand, home improvements can be expensive. We did not replace any appliances, but the wonderful people at Oracle of Tiles on East Tremont Avenue did everything else. Anytime you are by the rectory, please feel free to see the new kitchen.
Also, the walls around the statues that are up front in Church are in need of repair. I have reached out to a company that does this type of work. I hope to have the repair work done soon along with a fresh coat of paint and a cleaning of the statues. I will certainly keep you informed of the progress.
Being the steward of the finances and physical property of the parish means that I need to keep all of you informed of what work is being done for your parish church. As always, any questions or concerns can be directed to me in person, via phone or email.
St. Benedict pray for us. Servant of God, Terence Cardinal Cooke, pray for us.
Fr. Stephen P. Norton
Submitted by Anonymous107:
Hi, my name is Tatyana. I am Keith Crists girlfriend. I feel for your parish and everything you are going through. Keith has done unspeakable things to me at the direction of your pastor for self serving reasons. I also have a lot of insider information about what is really going on with your pastor and Keith Crist. Whatever suspicions the parishioners have about the two of them, I am a witness and can tell you that its a lot worse than you think. Your pastor gives Keith about 4,000/month(you pastor salary is only 2400/month) for his sexual "services". All the money that he gives is your money that he steals from the donations . I also know why the archdioses is protecting Father Miqueli (he has some serious blackmail hanging over them). I hope this last bit explains everything why all your reaching out to the archdioses over the last years is falling on deaf ears. They know everything about his financial crimes but are doing nothing because of what he has hanging over them. Problem is , the money that he is stealing is your money, not the archdioses, and thats why the archdioses doesn't care , its no skin of their back. If they fire Father Miqueli, he will expose what he has hanging over them. Anyways, I have known all this for quite a while, but now I can stay quiet no longer, especially now that I recently found out the facts behind the blackmail situation.
Submitted by Anonymous106:
None of us really knows the full story, because Fr. Miqueli won't reveal...or continues to conceal the facts, and Cardinal Dolan has not mounted an investigation.
It is shameful that Cardinal Dolan and church leadership seem to care more about saving face for this pastor or covering up a very serious situation, than caring for the spiritual life of the parishioners.
Peter Miqueli has succeeded in pitting groups of parishioners against each other by manipulating and fabricating situations and stories. He has told some people that he is under attack by a small group of terrible people. He has taken advantage of the faith of others who would never have dreamed of standing up to a church leader.
"Pastor" and "Church Leader" are misnomers when it comes to Peter Miqueli. A pastor guides and grows his people as a community of faith. A leader is visionary, cultivates relationships, does what is best for that community, involves everyone, is transparent and truthful with parish issues, practices and finances.
Time after time for almost three terrible years Peter Miqueli has done what has suited him, without conferring with the community. He is away from the parish at every possible opportunity. He has very seriously neglected the spiritual formation of the youth of the parish, as well as the adults.
I think we can all see that good people have been trying to make things better. They seem to have asked many, many times to have discussions with Peter Miqueli on various topics and issues, only to be rebuffed or ignored. Parents were forced to take to social media when their children receiving the sacrament of Confirmation were being short changed by Peter Miqueli. He issued and accepted a fee from these families, advertising a retreat and confirmation robes among other things, and both were canceled until the parents made it a public issue. First Holy Communion is now part of the Saturday afternoon Mass, instead of being treated for the solemn and important sacrament that it is by keeping with the tradition of every church and holding a special mass.
A leader sees the big picture. A leader exercises good judgement. A leader tends to their responsibilities in order to strengthen and grow the organization that they are responsible for. None of this has happened.
Instead, Peter Miqueli is secretive, neglectful, does not follow Archdiocesan rules or church law. He is disrespectful toward many of the parishioners, retaliates against anyone who does not agree with him or is perceived as a potential threat...as in anyone who can report or verify any of his actions contrary to the Archdiocese or laws of NY state.
Peter Miqueli has inappropriate relationships or friends who have had part in the parish business. He has brought people who are associates from his last assignment and have zero history or connection with St. Frances de Chantal and given them leadership roles, excluding parishioners from even applying.
If his family members are coming forward to attest to his character throughout his life, what more do the parishioners need to know to open their eyes?
Each and every person who reads this should running to find out more about Peter Miqueli and his associates and his past. He is not able to lead a parish. Use the internet, read the hand-outs that we've received from concerned parishioners over the past few weeks, speak to your friends, family and neighbors. But most importantly, call the office of Cardinal Dolan and DEMAND that Fr. Miqueli be removed IMMEDIATELY.
As a parish, we need to wake up and hear what our fellow parishioners have to say. We need to demand that Cardinal Dolan begins an investigation and get to the bottom of this matter before Peter Miqueli does more damage and things get even worse.
Submitted by Anonymous105:
Interesting that ever since the flyer came out, Miqueli hasn't been around much. Obviously he is ashamed of the truth that he thought we wouldn't find out. What a coward.
So keep hiding Miqueli, it just sends us the message that you know your wall of lies is crumbling. And we can't wait until you are fully exposed as the fraud that you are.
Submitted by Anonymous104:
It has been absolutely verified that Experience #102 was posted by Richard Miqueli, a brother of Fr. Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous103:
When there is a Priest that does not follow the church and has been accused of improprieties, he should remove himself, or be forcibly removed by his parish. He is not doing so and not allowing the Archdiocese to investigate him. Remove him now. His own brother as responded to all. Remove him now.
Submitted by Anonymous102:
My name is Richard Miqueli. Peters older brother. My heart goes out to all the people who live in the parish he is a priest in. All the stories I read sound like it was growing up with him. He had absolutely no respect for his father or any of his siblings. My heart goes out to all of you
Submitted by Anonymous101:
Now Fr. Miqueli wants to remove the "cone" above the altar in the main church. With other repairs needed in the church, why is this his focus? It is an integral component in the design of the church, but he thinks it obscures the crucifix. For 45 years, this has not been a problem for any other pastor or parishioner. Why doesn't he fix the air conditioning or replace some of the many light bulbs that are out? He's been collecting money for that all along and has done nothing to improve either.
Submitted by Anonymous100:
Just saw the changes in the sanctuary at SFdC. The tabernacle is barely visible in its new location because it lacks the lighting of its former location. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, while beautiful, is much too large for that small space. I wonder how Our Blessed Mother likes overpowering her Son in the Blessed Sacrament. There should have been some prayer and discussion with the parish before making these changes including that of taking our statue of the Blessed Mother out of the church.
Submitted by Anonymous99:
Just received a letter from "The Cardinal's Annual Stewardship Appeal for 2015. This is the 1st time, I will be returning it without a pledge. I usually give a check with a substantial amount. This year, I have returned it with a note stating that unless the Pastor, Peter Miqueli is removed from OUR PARISH, I will not be donating any money!!!!!!!! Neither will my children and so many of my family members. Sorry!!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous98:
What a lovely paean to himself our pastor published in the May 3 bulletin! How nice for him that he possesses such psychological anesthesia that he can mine a complement (sic) out of some well-deserved criticism!
In his self-serving column “From the Pastor’s Desk”, our pastor engaged in some serious patting of his own back (Watch that sciatica, Father!), congratulating himself for his one-man campaign against stagnation in our faith community. While flattering himself, our pastor not-so-delicately insulted our parishioners for holding “onto the past.”
His specific charge criticizes those who question why the statue of the young Virgin Mary was banished from her place near the sanctuary where people were able to kneel in quiet, peaceful prayer. His reason for Mary’s removal is that there is a plan to move the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe into the sanctuary. One might ask why the statue could not remain while plans to move the tabernacle are completed. One might ask why BOTH the statue of the young Virgin Mary AND the image of Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe could not be displayed within or near the sanctuary. Yes, one MIGHT ask, but not without suffering the pastor’s criticism intended to forestall ANY discussion, let alone dissent, regarding his tyrannical edicts.
Perhaps this pastor is ignorant of the history of that particular statue of the young Virgin Mary. It was donated to our parish in memory of a young nurse who died on this very day, May 4, 1982. No doubt Deacon Coppola could explain what it means to our parish and to the family of the young nurse who died that day. (If the pastor would like to do his own research, he could visit the NY Times dated May 6, 1982.)
St. Frances has always been a vibrant parish, full of wonderful people living our faith and embracing all who wish to practice the Catholic faith as part of our community. We welcome all images of our Blessed Mother, wherever she is revered - Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico), OL of Fatima (Portugal), the Black Madonna of Czestochowa (Poland), OL of Monserrat (Spain), OL of Aparecida (Brazil), OL of Perpetual Help (Haiti), OL of Lourdes (France) and OL of Knock (Ireland). There is room in our hearts for Mary in all her appearances. Surely there is room for both images in our Lord’s sanctuary.
Our pastor is quite shrewd in setting up the straw man argument that people who do not agree with him simply want to “hold onto the past.” What he fails to understand is that we are happy to embrace change. What we cannot accept is a pastor who is afraid to engage in discussion with his parishioners. Instead, he hands down his diktats and publishes insulting columns in a venue (the bulletin) where no argument is possible. JC Bitner
Submitted by Anonymous97:
The woman who, with respect, told Fr. Miqueli, "Since you came here there has been a lot of change," might better have said since you came here our parish has a dictator,not a pastor.
Yes Father, that beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin has been in our church for a long time. Did you know, Fr. Miqueli, the statue was given to our parish in memory of a young nurse, Barbara Meliota, who was brutally murdered? Her family lives in our parish. Many times over the years her mother has been seen praying by that statue and many others have prayed there as well. Also, Fr. Miqueli, countless brides and grooms have placed flowers by that statue of the Virgin Mary on their wedding days. Will brides and grooms now have to go to the vestibule to place their flowers? What about the May crowning of the Blessed Mother that is a tradition at SFdC? Yesterday, while the congregation was in the nave of the church, the members of the Holy Name Society had to conduct the crowning ceremony in the church vestibule - hardly appropriate!
I would daresay parishioners would be delighted to have the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe moved into the church when the tabernacle is moved. We love our Virgin Mother. Many churches in our Archdiocese have both a statue of the Virgin Mary and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the church proper. Some even have other images of the Virgin Mary according to the culture of the people in the community. What is your problem, Fr. Miqueli, with having that beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary in the nave of the church rather than in the vestibule?
The problem between you and the parishioners, Fr. Miqueli, is your unilateral decision making that is communicated in the bulletin when you get around to it. We have no parish council or advisory council with representation from the parish community. Parishioners ask to meet with you and they are ignored. Deacon Coppola has become your intermediary when people call the rectory to request a meeting with you. The answer is either no or Father has not gotten back to him yet.
Good people of our parish who have given years of service in this parish community, because they have disagreement with you on some issue or other, have been told that they may not serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, cannot sell religious Christmas cards, cannot serve as officers of parish societies, cannot lead psalms at Tenebrae, cannot solicit donations, cannot serve as ushers, etc. This ban from service to the parish is always communicated through someone else; you do not even have the courage to speak for yourself.
This parishioner remembers the pastoral days of Msgr. Devlin, Msgr. Keehan, Msgr. Ivers, and Fr. Sullivan. At times disagreements arose but these pastors did not hide from the parishioners as you do Fr. Miqueli.
We need a pastor, not a dictator.
Submitted by Anonymous96:
Isn't it strange that our children who are making their First Holy Communion do not have their own special ceremony on an early Saturday afternoon ? This new practice of moving their First Holy Communion ceremony mingled into the 5pm mass started with fr miqueli. The huge communion crowd now fills all the collection baskets during the 5pm mass. He is very smart , isn't he?
Submitted by Anonymous95:
Please read the "From the Pastor's Desk" from May 3rd.
It is the most disgusting, pompous, and condescending thing Miqueli has yet to write in the bulletin.
Only he, an egotistical monster, would take: "Since you came here there has been a lot of change," as a compliment when it is certainly not. The change he brings is bad, never good. The only kind of change we need here, is for Miqueli to GO AWAY.
Submitted by Anonymous94:
Just count how many have left our parish: some have been dismissed by PM; some have been banned from their volunteer work at St Frances by PM, including Eucharistic ministers; some have been transferred by PM; and some have left in disgust and have chosen other parishes as their own. When will there be a financial investigation and an audit? Why is he being protected and Allowed to continue this mockery?
Submitted by Anonymous93:
Why in the world does Miqueli want to move the tabernacle??? That should be the least of his priorities. The fact that an overwhelming majority of the congregation wants him gone is much more of an issue that he has still yet to acknowledge. Oh wait, it’s because he is a LYING COWARD. Not only is he destroying the spirit of our church but now he is also tainting how our beautiful church looks. The tabernacle has been on the side of the altar since the church was built. How dare such a disgrace of a pastor and disgrace of a priest think that he should be the one to move it.
Also, in this past weekend’s bulletin “he" wrote:
"All of the flowers can be replanted around our property and the women have already volunteered to do it, so please watch out that no one takes any of our Easter plants because they will be used here in the parish. Only the women who set up the flowers on Holy Thursday are authorized to touch the flowers!”
Wow, implying that people in our parish are a bunch of thieves and then reprimanding us like children... What a great guy.
It is very confusing as to how anyone supports this menace and thinks everything happening is fine. Open your eyes!!!!! Just because he is a priest does NOT make him perfect or untouchable. If you think he is right in anything he does, you are absolutely WRONG.
Submitted by Anonymous92:
I applaud you #91! Remember, this IS the same pastor who on Palm Sunday took up a 2nd collection for palm. He stated that palm was expensive and the parish spent $2,000.00 on palm. Funny how our neighboring parishes spend less than half that amount of money on palm! Did he really spend that much money for palm? Is he capable of making accurate, safe financial decisions? I agree with #91, we DEMAND an independent audit of our parish finances!
Submitted by Anonymous91:
How very curious that entry #90 alludes to “financial improprieties” discovered by our pastor, who is now attempting to “clean house.”
Is this the same pastor who has refused to permit an audit of the parish finances by the Archdiocese? Is this the same pastor who has been reported to the Archdiocese for keeping piles of cash in his personal quarters in the rectory? Is this the same pastor who has ignored the Archdiocesan mandate to establish a Parish Finance Council? Is this the same pastor who has not held a meeting of his Pastor’s Advisory Committee since June 2014? Is this the same pastor who has not presented a budget of any kind in his entire tenure at St. Frances? Is this the same pastor who has yet to submit a Financial Statement for any year of his tenure?
This IS the pastor who praises himself for enabling the parish to pay all of its bills. And yet he cannot replace his church’s nearly two dozen lights which have been out for months. This IS the pastor who proposes to spend $50,000 to cut back the dome over our altar, move the tabernacle, remove pews along the side of the altar – all of which is discretionary, not necessary. And yet, he asks for help to repair the steam system in the school building, a $30,000 project, which is absolutely necessary for the safety & comfort of the school children.
In November of this year, at a meeting of parishioners, Bishop John Jenik quoted the debt of our parish at $1.8 million. Does anyone find it credible that St. Frances has paid that debt and is now solvent? If our pastor has moved our finances into the black, why will he not allow an audit? Why will he not submit & publish a verifiable financial report? Why will he not show deposits into our accounts that MATCH the figures published in the bulletin? Why has he never published the totals for the Easter 2013, Christmas 2013, Easter 2014 & Christmas 2014 in our bulletin?
This pastor is in violation of a great number of the New York Archdiocese Policies & Procedures. His history of transgression did not begin at St. Frances. It can be traced back to his previous parish on Roosevelt Island and beyond. It is beyond the understanding of any intelligent, faithful person why this man still holds a position of financial responsibility, not to mention the more important spiritual responsibility of a priest and pastor.
Is our pastor’s ostensible effort to “clean house” actually an attempt to deflect blame onto others for his own problematic financial practices? Beware! Anyone who is within range as this house cleaning deflects blame onto others, instead of placing it where it belongs.
Submitted by Anonymous90:
It seems to me that Fr. Miqueli discovered some financial improprieties going on in the parish and he has since tried to clean house. Of course, those who were caught with their hand in the till are now trying to shift the onus off themselves and onto him. There is no other explanation for this website. Follow the money trail, yes, but don't be surprised when it doesn't lead back to Fr. Miqueli !! The fact that this review will be censored and not published is proof of that.
>> Think what you will, but that is not the "explanation for this website." Fr. Miqueli has done much more wrong to this parish then you think.
Submitted by Anonymous89:
Have you noticed??? Since parishioners have been putting checks as opposed to cash in the collection basket, the results of the money collected is much higher!!! Just saying!
Submitted by Anonymous88:
Would not this whole question go away if the archny would send an auditor who would simply conclude that there is nothing irregular. All Is well. Give facts and figures - Christmas collections, Easter collections, second collections, etc. Would not the whole question go away if the person of Keith Crist were explained. Who is he? What is he? Why is he? The archny states that the situation has been investigated and there are no irregularities. Well someone thinks there are irregularities. In point of fact many people think there are irregularities. Why?! This is Indeed a puzzle.
Submitted by Anonymous87:
Do not give to the Cardinal's Appeal or Catholic Charities!!! Just let them know you will not give any donation, until Peter Miqueli is removed from our parish. Put a note or letter in the envelope! He's busy removing many people who have been the fabric of our parish and has cut down the days on those working in the rectory. Now, it is time to REMOVE HIM!!!!! SHAME ON DEAN GEORGE CAPPOLA!!! The parish has lost faith in him!!! He is afraid of his own shadow!!! No backbone!!! He now sits at the front desk in the rectory and guilt is written all over his face, pretending he knows nothing about what's going on!!! When Miqueli walks down the aisle of our church foliowed by Cappola, I see a tyrant accompanied by his slave Cappola!!! George Cappola, how could you stoop so low???
Submitted by Anonymous86:
For a long time my family and I stopped going to church, our faith you see had faltered, but a few weeks ago, Jesus gave me the strength to pick myself up and take my family to church. However we went to another church that is not in our neighborhood. I know you might think badly about us for not wanting to go to church but you shouldn’t. My family and I were Sunday regulars. Like you, we love our community and our loved our Parish. We support many events within our St Frances de Chantal Parish and School Community. Throughout these months my faith has struggled and let me tell you it was tough walking through the doors of a new church. We did not know anyone. The new church was overwhelming. We eased into the pew and almost immediately our hearts started to open with the joy of mass. During the Father’s gospel I cried because of the blessedness I felt not just for myself but also for my family, we were back in god’s grace. This church was full of devoted Catholics of all ages. You saw the happiness and enthusiasm on their faces. You felt it in the air. More importantly you heard it in the Father’s homily. This parish believed in and respected their leader. At the end of the mass, my family and I went to greet the priests of the parish and they were so generous. They welcomed my family in earnest and right away asked where we were from. When I told them Throggs Neck. They looked at each other and shook their heads and the Pastor said, St Frances right? Yes Father, we are from St. Frances de Chantal Parish. Nothing else had to be said, it was sadly understood. The Pastor and Deacon told us that we had a home there with them, invited us to a parish function and introduced us to a few members of their parish. It has been such a positive journey, one that I am so thankful for. But when I think of my friends at St. Frances I am saddened for what they are missing.
So I ask this, why is Father Peter Miqueli still pastor of St. Frances de Chantal Parish? I’m not writing this to bash him just to ask the question why? Whether you agree or disagree with the views written on this page or in recent articles, one thing is clear, Father Miqueli is not a good fit for the St. Frances de Chantal Parish. We are a community split apart. And unless you go outside this community you will never really understand how much we have been let down. So to the Archdiocese of NY, I ask you why is someone who is obviously not bringing this Parish together still here? What is the benefit? You are losing the faithful! If this was a business Father Miqueli would have been either transferred or fired. How can you try and push Catholic Education? How can parents trust you to run schools when you are totally biased and incapable of running a successful Parish?
To Father Peter Miqueli I ask, why are you still here? Can you answer that? I know you read this column! It is just not working out, you have been unsuccessful in building this Parish. If you are truly misunderstood, then make it right. Your most selfless act would be to leave and to let someone else try and lead St. Frances. To the SFdC parishioners I ask, why are you still there? Take your loyalty, faith and family to a parish that will welcome and appreciate it! I did!
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
Submitted by Anonymous85:
I've had a bad experience with Cardinal Dolan!! Do the research. He's creating this type of crisis all over the archdiocese. He either installs pastors who are absolute nightmares or he threatens to close churches that are thriving, and usually traditional or conservative e.g., Holy Innocents, St. Michael's, or St. Thomas More. Look up New Ways Ministries on your IPad to see the many parishes in NYC that he has made Gay friendly like Ascension or St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan. He has an agenda. The Church in New York is in deep trouble!
Submitted by Anonymous84:
On Saturday, Feb 21, 2015, the pastor of St. Frances de Chantal, in his Lenten purple vestments, five minutes before entering the church to offer Mass and consecrate the Eucharist, engaged in an unpleasant exchange with Barney Reilly, a parishioner for over thirty years, and dismissed him from his long-held voluntary position as head-usher at the 5 PM Mass. The stated reason for the dismissal is that Mr. Reilly was one of the signers of a letter mailed to parishioners in October. This letter called attention to problems in our parish, encouraged parishioners both to write letters to the Archdiocese and to reduce their weekly contributions until our questions are addressed.
The pastor had attempted to dismiss him in the past, but with the encouragement of friends & fellow-parishioners, Mr. Reilly refused to step down. There had been no complaints about his service, nor any question about his suitability to serve in this voluntary position. This time, however, the pastor told Mr. Reilly that the police would be summoned if he attempted to take his position as usher. Mr. Reilly called this bluff and replied, “Go ahead. Call the police.” The pastor then backed down from his threat, stating that, “This is not the time or place.” Really?! If it was neither the time nor the place, shouldn’t the pastor have understood that before making the threat? And to behave in such a shabby manner in a public venue moments before entering the church to offer the Mass, is so shockingly inappropriate for a Catholic priest that it defies understanding.
The outcome of this confrontation is that Mr. Reilly has been forced to relinquish his long-held voluntary position. Further abuse is simply not good for his health. He had endured the pastor’s intimidating tactics over the past several months, but was finally forced to surrender to this injustice. Mr. Reilly truly did not deserve such rude treatment, especially in view of his many years of service and certainly not at the hands of a Catholic priest.
This scenario is of a piece with previous actions taken by the pastor against parishioners who are in disagreement with him.
1) In early Dec 2014, an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist was dismissed for the unpardonable misdeed of being “in disagreement with” the pastor. This message was originally delivered by Deacon George Coppola. However, when the minister pointed out that it is the pastor’s place to take such action, the pastor made the call and dismissed the Extraordinary Minister.
2) Just after Christmas, another usher, whose custom it had been for many years to assist in collecting at the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass, received word from Deacon Coppola that he was no longer permitted to do so. I, myself, called the rectory on Dec 29th to learn the reason for the dismissal. Deacon Coppola told me that it was because the usher did not contribute to the parish. During a 10-minute conversation, Deacon Coppola was unable to answer my question, “What is the amount that a parishioner is required to contribute before he is permitted to serve the parish in a volunteer capacity?”
3) During Advent, the pastor barred members of the Holy Name Society from selling religious Christmas cards in the vestibule of St. Frances Church. This sale has been held in our parish for many, many years. The purpose of the sale is, primarily, to “Keep Christ in Christmas”; secondarily, to raise a bit of money to fund the Society’s corporal works of mercy. The pastor's reason for banning the sale is that several members of the HNS were signatories to the same parish-wide letter which resulted in Barney Reilly's dismissal.
4) Also during Advent, the pastor informed the President of the Holy Name Society that four members, two of them HNS officers, were to be dismissed from the HNS because they had been signatories to the parish-wide letter. The four members relinquished neither their membership nor their positions as officers. According to the articles of the National Association of the HNS, a member cannot be dismissed without cause. Being in disagreement with one’s pastor is not considered cause for dismissal.
Add to this the fact that, despite monthly second collections for Maintenance, nearly 40% (23 out of 58) of the lights in the church have been out for MONTHS. Yes, replacing lights in the church is costly and labor-intensive. But what is the threshold of burned-out light bulbs that will initiate action? 50%? 75%? Or will we wait for an injury to occur before replacing a bulb?
QUESTION: How many pastors does it take to replace a light bulb?
ANSWER: Apparently, more than one!
Submitted by Anonymous83:
Fr Miqueli is protected by his friend, the ArchBishop of Baltimore.
NY knows all about his faults. Don't expect anything from them.
Everything that you describe happened on Roosevelt Island and the Archdiocese knew it and did nothing.
Before he became a Pastor he bounced around a lot of Parishes. Isn't it strange that with such a scarcity of Priests that so many Parishes were willing to let him go?
Submitted by Anonymous82:
Today, December 13th, 2014, at the 5pm mass, there were no wreaths on the walls of the church, no Christmas trees on the altar and no Nativity in front of the altar. Outside the church, the annual tree lighting (which always took place 2 weeks before Christmas) did not take place nor were there children singing Christmas Carols around the tree. There was no Nativity near the tree.The outside was dark and dreary! No hot chocolate, tea, cookies and cake baked by the parents and which would have been served in the lower church. This is something we all looked forward to; the celebration of the birthday of Jesus…I miss all this!!! …….It's such a shame………...Is Peter Miqueli punishing us??? Is he trying to tear the tight knit fabric of our community ??? Well, he can't!!! He's cutting off his nose to spite his face!!! He could get rid of this one and that one, but eventually he will be the one to be rid of!…..He could run but he can't hide!!!. We have parishioners with intelligence, patience and perseverance working on this whole situation. We need GOD'S HELP!!! Keep praying!!! We want back our parish!!!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous81:
Is Peter Miqueli trying to punish the parishioner of SFdC ??? This Saturday, just 11 days before Christmas, and still no annual lighting of our Christmas Tree? The children of St.Frances would sing a few Christmas Carols, joined by their teachers, parents and friends. Then everyone watched with excitement, the lighting of the tree. .It just lit up the entire area, and we could all see the nativity, with the Virgin Mary, Joseph etc. After the lighting parents were invited to the lower level of the church for some hot chocolate,tea, and cookies and cake that the parents baked. The parent association sold fresh christmas outside. they decorated fresh wreath and sold them to help raise money. Is Peter Miqueli punishing us??? The church looks like a dungeon. We always had huge wreaths on the walls (about 6 or more) and beautiful,big Christmas Trees at the alter, There were so many poinsettias at the altar and in front of the altar. Of course,we had the beautiful Nativity in front of the altar. Let's hope we see this in church, next week, on Saturday December 20th, when I attend mass
Submitted by Anonymous80:
It is important for anyone who sees this site to share it with others who are tired of Fr. Miqueli's antics and want to restore the parish to a place of spiritual growth and renewal, and to build up our parish community to what it once was. If you have not been to one of the meetings of concerned parishioners and would like to hear about upcoming gatherings, leave your email here so the committee can reach out to you. Please, this is not a joke. If you are serious about voicing your concerns AND doing something about it, then let people know that you are in it for real. Do not post or come to a meeting if you are spying or looking for drama. Most importantly, pray for the parish and even for Fr. Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous79:
Have you seen any altar boys lately??? Parents are not giving consent for their boys to serve at any mass Miqueli serves. Also, have you noticed the collection increased last week? People are now writing out checks. We must continue to give only checks regardless if the collection is for 1,2 or 3 envelopes or whether it's 50/50. Every dollar must be accounted for. CHECKS ONLY!!! You may want to give $1.00 a month or week, in order to make a statement. In this weeks' Bronx Times Reporter (November 7th,2014) Miqueli tries to defend himself by saying that he has increased the number of parishioner who help count the money. May we please have a list of all the names of these parishioners who helped count the money for the last 6 months??? If Miqueli was really concerned about us and his own reputation, he would hold a meeting at which we could discuss all these so called "rumors." We are willing to listen! We want answers!!! He thinks these rumors will go away but they won't!!! Let the King come forward and speak to his servants!!!
Submitted by Anonymous78:
I remember every autumn season St. Frances de Chantal Parish always had those wonderful pie brochures and forms to order for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have not seen them this year nor last year. Is this another one of those things Miqueli did away with or was his absence from the parish so excessive that the drive could not be authorized in time? Is this his way of saying "Well let them eat cake"?
Submitted by Anonymous77:
Attention! Check out the latest issue of the Bronx Times Reporter.......Link:
http://www.bxtimes.com/stories/2014/45/45-pastor-2014-11-07-bx_2014_45.html
Who wants to bet that King Miqueli will now be around the school more often and doing more masses...if that were to happen that is a slight admission of guilt. On the other hand the man is so cocky that he might just be up to his old tricks. Has anyone else noticed all of the lights out in the Church and the Horrible condition of the school building. The Janitor can not fix his way out of a paper bag and is running errands all day for the school staff.
Submitted by Anonymous76:
Submit your stories, letters, etc... to [email protected] and include your name so the group can reach you.
This goes for the people from Roosevelt Island. A long, historical trail of misdeeds will only bolster our case.
And here is more fuel for the fire: CLICK HERE FOR LINK
Submitted by Anonymous75:
when I was an altar server Fr. Miqueli tried to take my money but I said no. he's a psycho
Submitted by Anonymous74:
I feel like Peter Miqueli is using same devote parishioner for his own good. I know for fact he is using people to follow him in all his bla bla bla and make to defend him when a negative comment is again him, I know one Lady who believe in him to die for him, that she does not want to admit she is cover all his none sense, and now he put her on the church trust. How she is in that position? well just because THE KING OF SFDC want
Submitted by Anonymous73:
>> Name of man described is changed to ANON as it is a second hand account.
Not long ago following the 5pm Mass just outside of the Church doors, I overheard and witnessed Fr. Miqueli lecture, or DICTATE, to the lector of that particular Mass, ANON, who is one of the finest lectors of our parish and serves as Eucharistic Minister on other Saturdays. He told ANON that as a "reminder" he can only serve in only one ministry per Mass, that no one can serve as lector and eucharistic minister in one same Mass (one of the changes Miqueli made upon becoming pastor--before him people who were lector & eucharistic ministers often did double roles upon the priest's request & need of assistance). The problem is ANON only served in one role that Mass--as Lector and nothing else, totally contrary to whatever Miqueli was suggesting. ANON tried to be a gentleman and non-argumentative about it but I was able to see the look in his face as if saying or wondering why he was being told of something that had not occurred. But what made me more uncomfortable witnessing this is that ANON is African American (or someone of color) and it seemed like Miqueli was just picking on him, accusing him and reprimanding him for something he never did. I don't know if Miqueli, who was not even the celebrant of the Mass, saw opportunity to dictate to ANON like that with a blatant false accusation, or if he has other personal or prejudicial problems, but Miqueli, in my view, just spoiled the fruitful spirituality upon exiting Mass. It hurts to see a priest like Miqueli behave in a non-Christ like manner towards a parish volunteer.
Submitted by Anonymous72:
What happen to the column Miqueli writes? He hasn't written one during all the time he took off, but he had Dean Coppola or someone else write it. NOW, he got RID of it altogether! He can't be bothered with that either!!!! If he felt he needed the room for other things, then he should have written his column on a separate sheet of paper and inserted it in the bulletin. It's probably too much work for him!!! He must think we are a bunch of gullible idiots when in essence, many of us are professionals. I noticed Miquelli likes to brag about his close relationship with Cardinal Dolan. He wants us to believe that he is indestructible because he has a close tie to the Archdioceses….to Cardinal Dolan…. to the board…..If you have to say it, it's wishful thinking…..but Money Speaks…He needs money to pay those bills….NO MONEY, NO BILLS PAID….I don't care how close he is to anyone…No More Money!!! Money should never be counted in the PRIVACY OF HIS OWN QUARTERS . WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PARISH COUNCIL, MAINTAINING A PARTNERSIP WITH GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS who assisted in counting the collection. Miquelli is not a peoples' person. He's busy doing something else while speaking to you, such as reading a note or putting something away. He cannot give you his undivided attention!!!! He never smiles… We all want our parish back. Miquelli knows what's going on…he has addressed the parishioners about the rumors…he thinks they will go away! This Sunday, I counted 72 people in church. This number included about a dozen children that were there. I gave a check for $1.00 for the month of October, 2014. I will give another check for $1.00 sometime in the month of November,2014 and $1.00 sometime in the month of December, 2014. Also, I would appreciate it very much, as would so many other parishioners, if a schedule of the following week's masses would be posted on the wall, with the names of the priest serving each of these masses. This way, I can pick the mass I feel comfortable at. That should not be an option….it should be mandatory!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous71:
There have been 70 shared experiences but few have signed the petition. Why be afraid! This is YOUR PARISH! This is OUR parish! Not Miqueli's! We are in need of spiritual leadership and he is not there! Do not be afraid to speak up because WE are the voice!!!
Submitted by Anonymous70:
I also have had nothing but uncomfortable and dismaying experiences with Miqueli. And I have not found one single human with anything nice to say about him. He yelled at me and my child during communion once in front of everyone. He is mean and nasty every time I have to go to the rectory. He only visits the school to yell at the kids for not wanting to join the altar service. He is an awful, nasty man and must be removed!!
Submitted by Anonymous69:
I have been a parishoner my entire life and have never been SO disconnected to my SPIRITUAL life! My experience is the coming and going of priests and pastors with no spiritual leadership! I had such hope for Fr. Miqueli but have been left with much disappointment! Why is St. Frances de Chantal left without spiritual guidance? This long standing, family oriented, generational and Catholic neighborhood is left time and time again without true spititual leadership! We deal with this and contjnue to believe and will..........because we have have faith! May God guide us through this difficult time and may God guide Fr.Miqueli to step down as our Pastor!
Submitted by Anonymous68:
God bless the good people whose mailing we received today. So glad that someone has taken action. Time for that group meeting. How can the people without access to computers, like the older parishioners with a long time in the parish get in touch and take action, too? This needs to go to the media to get the word out and start to shame the Archdiocese for doing nothing about this sorry excuse for a priest, let alone a pastor.
Submitted by Anonymous67:
Isn't this enough for the Arch of NY ? How can they condone the actions of one of their own? reports of immoral behavior combined with questionable handling of our donations in collection baskets ....this is not a concern? this doesn't warrant a complete investigation? When will it end? Where is the audit committee ?
Submitted by Anonymous66:
When and where will this meeting take place ????? I can't stand to see his face anymore!!! When I see him, I see the DEVIL IN DISGUISE! All he's interested in is your envelope. Saturday, October 4th, there were 3 of them. Some of us live from pay check to pay check and have tight budgets. We make one mistake and it sets us back! Some have little children and only one parent working. They drop whatever they can in the basket. Some of us don't even have a job! How dare he ask a parishioner who wanted her baby baptized, what her envelope # was. When she told Miqueli she didn't have one but she did drop whatever she could afford in the basket, his response was "Do you want to go to Heaven?" Is he kidding me? How dare he! The small chapel now looks like it's been neglected. Very few of the battery operated candles light up. The attendance is at its lowest! Two Sundays ago, I counted 54 people in all, including myself. It was terrible. The church holds about 600 people. This is unacceptable. My husband and I went to St. Benedicts, the first 3 weeks of September. There were so many people there from our parish, it was unbelievable. I came back because I missed my church but it's not the same..I miss father Anthony so much, I wish he were back. Once again, please let us know where this meeting will take place, the date and time. I have a few ideas to talk about! Thanks!
Submitted by Anonymous65:
Agreed 100% with the last comment. Where on earth does the pastor have (and cultivate) such an adversarial "relationship" with the parishioners. News flash: this is our parish and has been for almost 90 years. This guy is a new comer who has never tried to be a true pastor. What the hell is the Archdiocese thinking? He should not be in a leadership role ANYWHERE. He should definitely never be put in a position to deal with money...especially cash, or have control of important mattters that affect an institution or people.
Submitted by Anonymous64:
Want to get to HEAVEN?? Send your money, send your green..line Miqueli's pockets and let him use you for whatever benefits him. He has a hidden agenda for EVERYTHING, but why shouldn't he?? After all, he IS the Pastor, KING of Throggs Neck!
When he doesn't get exactly what he wants, he acts like a child and puts down the other parties involved. He definitely has some serious personality issues, including compulsive lying. Why would he want to be where he is hated $o much??
Submitted by Anonymous63:
Please let us know well advance when and where the meeting will take place. This will give us time to spread the word to others so they will not miss it. Thanks!!!
Submitted by Anonymous62:
Very soon a meeting will take place where all concerned parties can come together and talk. It is crucial to come to an agreement on a strategy to oust this bum.
Do not fear retaliation; share your frustrations and the stories of how Miqueli is negatively affecting the parish. For each one who remains silent, you chip away at the effort to free SFdC from this sad excuse for a priest and his side kick, Keith.
If you do nothing, it is like you are condoning his behavior and immoral and unethical behaviors and activities. The power is in our hands. Fight with us.
Submitted by Anonymous61:
My children attend this school and I must agree with all that is being written. Staff members and volunteers are miserable and in turn our kids are suffering the consequences as the enthusiasm is many times no longer their to continue extra curricular activities. It's sad because as parents we all want the best for our children and that includes over extending ourselves to pay for catholic school. It's so discouraging when you realize that you can no longer have faith in people, not even priests. It's hard to believe anymore.
Submitted by Anonymous60:
I am shocked to find this site when looking for the Holy Day Mass schedule. After the Msgr. Keating & 'friend' financial ruin of the parish why not request an audit. Accusations without proof can be dangerous and divide the parish. Since it is obvious that the rectory is monitoring this site, DO something/anything to rectify this situation. There has to be a CPA in the Parish who could look into the funds or hire an independent auditor. Finally, take it out of the ADNY's hands; if you believe you have proof, the matter could be referred to the State Attorney General, District Attorney or the IRS, but filing a false report is a crime. Tax exemption does not apply to theft or misappropriation of tax exempt funds. I am sure if anything fugzy is going on the State & Feds would love to stop the Church's tax exemption status.
Submitted by Anonymous59:
“Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought. To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears. To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool. To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen. To be led by a liar is to ask to be lied to. To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.”
Octavia Bulter, Science Fiction Writer (Words of advice for the Priest Personnel Board. I feel like this entire issue is a scary fantasy. God help the parish of St. Frances de Chantal.)
Submitted by Anonymous58:
I just came back from 5pm mass (8/2/14). I must say , I felt sorry for Father Joseph Tissera who was performing the mass. Poor man! He's retired and old but such a fine, fine man. He's been doing not only his masses but Father Miqueli's as well. Imagine that!!!!! Father Joseph DOESN'T DESERVE this! It's ABUSE! 'Father Miqueli is on a permanent summer vacation! He has abandoned the church!!! Isn't that proof enough that Father Miqueli should not be a pastor? He doesn't care!!!! There's no accountability. Let's hold a meeting right after "Labor Day". Most likely everyone should be back from vacation by then.Let's address all the issues at hand, and any evidence we have. Make a list of the data we need and then call for a thorough investigation. Then we can call the media. The media would have a field day with this.
Submitted by Anonymous57:
It would be great to have Fr. Bill Cleary or Msgr. Ed Barry come to St. Frances and totally revitalize our parish.
Submitted by Anonymous56:
I know for a FACT that well over a year ago Miqueli was told by the higher ups in the ARCHNY that he was to knock off his "lifestyle". That meant his relationship with a male person, which was deemed unacceptable by the ARCHNY.
His special friend disappeared temporarily but was back before long. Miqueli told some at the ARCHNY that there was no way he was dumping his friend. What does this show us? That the ARCHNY is very much aware of Miqueli's inappropriate behavior and does little to enforce their own weak warning. And when Miqueli throws his disregard for them into their faces, nothing happens to him. If it were you or I who were working at a Catholic organization and carrying on this type of relationship - contrary to the church's teachings - we'd be canned in a New York minute.
If a priest desires a physical relationship with anyone, then they should honor the rules of the church and step down from priestly duties and live a life where they are free to pursue such relationships without scrutiny.
I think that as a lay person, MR.Peter Miqueli would never attain the power, little as it actually is, that he has as a priest and pastor. He would have to go out and make a living for himself, which is probably not a very attractive prospect. He would have no one to treat as shabbily as he has/does the people within his employ or those who deal with the parish for their own living. He's got it made here. Even with the vast majority of the parish disgusted with him, he sits back and probably laughs at our disdain. A NORMAL PERSON WOULD SHAPE UP AND TRY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT, AND DO THE CORRECT THING. MIQUELI IS NOT A NORMAL HUMAN BEING.
Submitted by Anonymous55:
I knew father Anthony would not leave just like that! We want him back!
It's ashame that we are not doing anything about this. This has been going on for a while now, and we are doing nothing and we are suffering for it. In the short time Miqueli has been here the church is no longer what it used to be. No airconditioning, no flowers, candles that don't light up. He charges more money for so many things that were less. And it's not like a little increase, but rather 50% or more. Yet despite those large increases, we see less money being spent on our church. I can only speak for myself and my family, and our moral is low.
He doesn't even have the personality one would expect of a priest. He is rude,obnoxious ,condescending and he is always right. In no time at all, this priest, if we allow it, will make our church close. But we can't allow this. And we shouldn't have to go to a different church. Because then he is winning. Our church has many memories for everyone and there is no reason we should abandon it and let him take over. We love this church and the people that attend. It's a community.
The solution here is very simple. There is a simple way to ensure that he will no longer be at our parish.
The people of the Parish (that is us) have the power to control this situation, get rid of Father Miqueli and get Father Anthony back. Father Miqueli thinks no one is above him and he can do what ever he wants. But he is 100% dead wrong. It is us that controls him and the parish. The church is NOTHING without
our support.
We need to band together in unity and we need a meeting. Set the date and time for the meeting and we can discuss the ways that we in unity can get him out. We don't need anyone to help us, it doesn't matter who he his friends are. We don't even need the media. All we need is proof of what is going on, word of mouth, and as many people as possible that agree that Fr. Miqueli is taking our once wonderful parish down. The meeting should be attended only by those that have some proof or information or shared a bitter experience with Miquelli.
It would be nice if priests, school aids, and others who were supposed to get paid by him, but didn't, come forward.
Submitted by Anonymous54:
Fr Antony was being abused by Miqueli. He would not pay him I time and treated him disrespectfully. Not only does Miqueli not pay the church employees their due wages on time but he also does not pay the priest who work at our church. He is a a spiteful and immoral man. We need to go to the media with the truth. The ARCHNY will only react after a public scandal, so let's give them just that because the truth will prevail and the media must know the truth. We agree that there should be a town hall meeting.
Submitted by Anonymous53:
What a mislead soul. People from the rectory were fired because THEY were stealing??? What a joke.
If people only knew half of the facts about what is going on in the rectory, and the cockamamie explanations that are given, your head would spin.
Submitted by Anonymous52:
Regarding Anonymous49's comment, "Fr. Peter put an end to it".
That one priest, of no note in the Archdiocese, can "put an end to" anything regarding his very questionable behavior and down-right crappy pastoral performance says a mouthful.
Cardinal Dolan will blow off letters and even statements made to him in person.
THE ONLY option now is to go to the media. St. Frances de Chantal can survive, but only if we are blessed by the Lord and he is removed from a position which he obviously has no business being in.
Submitted by Anonymous51:
Monsignor Edward Weber is, in fact, head of Priest Personnel as of today. I called that office. But since Fr. Miqueli has two friends on the Board, it is necessary to go around this group who will not address the issues at hand.
Submitted by Anonymous50:
Why did Father Anthony leave? He was the best thing we had. My heart aches!!!! He was a true man of the cloth!!! Was it because of Father Miqueli? It kills me to even put the word Father in front of his name
Submitted by Anonymous49:
Ok so you have Ten signatures. It seems a handful of evil doers are signing anonymous over and over. maybe the people he let go we're stealing and your upset fr. Peter put an end to it
>> First of all, it is not a handful of people, but rather a large number of different people that are submitting experiences - that is a fact based on the system through which experiences are submitted. Second, your "other people stealing money" idea is entirely and ridiculously false. And third, if you believe that Fr. Miqueli is not in the wrong, then you are unfortunately part of the group who are blind to what is actually happening.
Submitted by Anonymous48:
From Whitepages.com
Keith R Crist 417 Cornell Dr
Brick, NJ 08723-5013
People Keith may know Peter A Miqueli. Miqueli owns this property. Why Brick, NJ when his family is on Long Island and he is an ARCHNY priest? Is is far enough away from prying eyes?
Submitted by Anonymous47:
A representative of the Archdiocese will just blow us off and waste our time.
Dolan and the Pope are the only ones who we should be looking to address. Add in Ken Arenholz, one of our alumni, who is the Director of Finance. Misappropriation of, and soliciting funds (under false pretenses) should be addressed with Ken.
Sadly, I think we'd get more of a response from the Pope than from the Cardinal.
Submitted by Anonymous46:
Hey, a parish Town Hall meeting is a great idea with an open microphone and we could invite the news media. Its our church and our money. We could hold the Town Hall Meeting in the parking lot of OUR CHURCH! We must open this up to the entire community to speak out.
Its a fact that Miqueli and Cappola are cowards and they will not dare show up to face the truth in public in front of the media or in fornt of our community even with no media.
Lets organized it and get this down. Anyone in agreement?
Submitted by Anonymous45:
No more letters. We must demand to meet with the official of the ARCHNY face to face. We must demand a formal meeting. We must call the media and organize a town hall meeting at St Frances to expose the truth of what is happening to the entire church community. No more hiding the facts and being silent by just writing letters. Letters will be ignored and simply placed in his personnel file and the officials will do nothing.
My heart bleeds for the good and holy priest of our community area who suffer the stigma and disgraceful embarrassment of men like " Fr. Peter Miqueli and Deacon George Cappola.
What a shame.
Submitted by Anonymous44:
What kind of situation is this if the majority of the parishioners don't have ANY trust in the pastor and think he's immoral? A very large group of people who aren't connected don't make this stuff up. The total lack of trust is based on actions, deeds and attitude... and a veil of secrecy around all parish operations and finances, where there was none before. Something is being hidden...by Fr. Miqueli.
Submitted by Anonymous43:
I would be interested to know who paid for Keith Crist's fee for the pilgrimage if he was Deacon George's "helper". If parish funds were used to take him along, or if George had to pay from Keith's vacation, that would be horrible and wrong.
Submitted by Anonymous42:
Anonymous39: What will Cardinal Dolan say if this scandalous affair hits the media? He'll take the side of Miqueli, for sure.
The only thing that the Archdiocese will notice and react to is when the parishioners stop making donations to the collection. If they aren't getting their cut, they will want to know what's happening and will investigate. They will get someone good and likeable into the rectory if he causes the well to run dry.
We can support SFdC by making our contributions to the school where we know that it is being handled properly and helping the kids. Miqueli takes up collections at church that are supposed to go to the school - and they don't. That is confirmed. This is misappropriation of funds and maybe even a form of fraud.
Submitted by Anonymous41:
Oh my God, our Church is now being closed after 9am mass as ordered by the Mr. Miqueli and according to Mr. George Cappolla it's because it cost to much money to keep a light on in the adoration chapel! So closing the church is the answer.
Now we can't even go pray in our church during the day. We are suffering and the worse is yet to come. Satan is rejoicing because these men controlling our church are evil and have betrayed the sacrament of holy orders, and the Church.
May God help us!
Submitted by Anonymous40:
This is man peter miqueli is disgraceful and demonic.
I can't even bring myself to call him a priest and even less give him the title of father. He is living in relationship as the partner of a homosexual prostitute named keith crist, a man who migueli took with him to rome, the holy land, and to his own mother's funeral/wake service. The man has no shame and his mother must be turning in her grave!
He uses everyone to cover up for him especially the employees in the rectory. He fired everyone and has only 2 people he can control and intimidate because they are yes people. One is some woman he hired personally and the other is deacon George Cappolla, both who are yes people, and a have a huge role in miqueli's cover up.
Mr. George Cappola is involved covering up Miqueli's homosexual relationship with keith, his financial misdeeds with our parish collection and the improper counting of money, all the missing Sunday second collections, false financial reporting, and the scandalous sexual misconduct of this disgraceful man.
The fact is that George Cappolla serves to enable Peter Miqueli by covering everything up for him. They are both habitual liars and will lie to your face as well as to the archny- dolan, walsch, and safe environment. George Cappola is supposed to be a representative of the safe environment in archny. His name appears in the Catholic NY as a contact person for reporting sexual misconduct of clergy, and laity in the archny. What a joke!
We must go public and demand that both Miqueli and George be removed and investigated. What kind of a man turns his back on the people he is supposed to be protecting. Especially our children! George Cappolaa is the person that is supposed to report sexual misconduct allegations to safe environment in archy and investigate, but instead he covers everything up. Our ch8ldren are at risk and in danger at sfdc. We must go public and reveal these predators for what they are. No wonder the catholic church is so disgraced, its because of men like these who disgrace their holy orders. Hey mr. Cappola we are going to expose you also. You have betrayed our community, our children, and the church! Resign from sfdc and as a safe environment contact or be prepared for you and your wife and children to suffer the shameful and disgraceful consequences of the truth when you and miqueli are finally publically exposed to the news media for what you are doing to the Church.
Submitted by Anonymous39:
Cardinal Dolan, please explain why every other church in our area of the Bronx has had Pastors put in place, who have clearly established themselves as true spiritual leaders. Such as Fr. Steve Norton at St.Benedicts, Msgr. Graham at St.Raymonds and Fr. Derivan at St.Teresas. Fr. Derivan is replacing Fr. Grippo. Fr. Derivan is one of the most respected priests in the diocese. Why does St. Teresa's receive such blessings from you and yet we are expected to embrace such punishment. Why in the wake of Fr. Sullivan's abrupt departure, would you recklessly assign someone here with a such a sordid past, deviant character and scandalous reputation. You frequently testify to the media your devotion and allegiance to your parishioners of this diocese. Your response to those who have reached out to you regarding this matter expresses anything but concern for our parish. In not so many words, you have regarded us as complainers who will never be happy with who ever you have chosen to put here. It is time to stop sweeping all of our grave concerns under your cathedral rugs and take what we are saying seriously. The last thing anyone wants is scandal which will result in yet another media frenzy. What will you have say to the cameras then?
Submitted by Anonymous38:
DEFINITELY write to Cardinal Dolan at his residence at 452 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
DEFINITELY DO NOT contact his brother who invited us to do so below. That would be a fruitless effort. The Miqueli family (hopefully) doesn't have to put up with his nonsense. And if their brother is like our "pastor", then I feel sorry for them. In fact, why hasn't Fr. Miqueli ever publicly addressed our issues? I think we know why.
The bottom line is, priests are just people, not rulers or kings of their parishes like Fr. Miqueli thinks he is. If he even made an effort to connect with the parishioners or try to improve his pastoral or business skills, that would have been met with positivity from the parish. Instead he distances himself from the people, is totally aloof and uncooperative, and he makes it known that he doesn't need or want parishioner support or involvement. To have the pastor pretty much tell everyone to back off and mind our business is an outrage.
WHAT is going on behind the closed doors of the rectory? And why is he pushing out almost everyone who might be able to see what's happening?
No one can expect or demand respect. It must be earned by your deeds. So if Fr. Miqueli is wondering why people have zero respect for him and are working to get rid of him, he has no further to look than in his own mirror and heart. He knows that he has done nothing to be a true pastor.
Msgr. Jordan, Msgr. Halpin and Msgr. Devlin must be rolling over in their graves to see this unqualified, sorry excuse for a parish leader to be dragging the church community down into ashes and not having the Archdiocese do a damned thing about it.
Submitted by Anonymous37:
Wow!!! You know something is seriously wrong with Miqueli when his own brother signs the petition to get rid of him and includes this info:
joseph miqueli PASADENA, MD about 1 month ago
I am Joseph Miqueli.Peter miquelis older brother.my phone number is 4103027063. My heart goes out to your congregation. I feel very sorry that he is anybody's pastor,& I am embarrassed that he is my brother.
Submitted by Anonymous36:
I have three friends who are pastors at parishes within the Archdiocese of NY. When it was announced that Fr. Miqueli would be coming to St. Frances de Chantal Parish all three said "bad fit" at three separate times and places.
He had a well-known reputation among his brother priests before he even got to Throggs Neck.
The Archdiocese sent us a dud and they knew it.
Submitted by Anonymous35:
To the poster who considers enrolling their child at SFdC school, do so with confidence.
Almost all Catholic elementary school have come from under parish control in 2013-2014. Fr. Miqueli's role is essentially as chaplain. Fortunately this poor example of a pastor and spiritual advisor to kids or adults never has much at all to do with the school.
He has no influence or impact on St. Frances de Chantal School.
Submitted by Anonymous34:
To Fr. Miqueli's relatives who have chosen to post here. You are not at our parish and experiencing the MANY horrible things that parishioners, school families (parents and children), employees and other are shocked and disgusted to be confronted with. I, too, would defend my brother. Your experience with him is totally different than ours.
Fr. Miqueli has neither the people, administrative or financial skills to be a pastor. His poor judgement and actions have been chronicled in the media. He has been warned more than once by the Archdiocese about his "special friend", Keith. He apparently has no regard for the mandates of his superiors at the Archdiocese because Keith was back at the rectory not long after his ban. If Keith has any care for Fr. Miqueli, he would be doing him a favor by staying away from the parish and neighborhood so as to keep controversy at a low.
St. Frances de Chantal people - did you know that because a parish is a non-profit institution that you are entitle to walk right into the rectory and ask to see the books? And by law, you are entitled to have the book presented to you immediately? Use that right; I am sure you will not see any financials because there is much to hide.
Lots of people have written to the vicar, Msgr. Graham. However, the next step up the ladder is the Priest Personnel board and with two good friends (Tony Sorgie and Msgr. Greg Muscante) having A LOT of pull, it will never make it anywhere by going through the proper channels.
One Monsignor who if very well aware of our situation and of Fr. Miqueli told more than one person that "the only way to get rid of him is by contacting Rome directly."
Going to the media may work, too. So sad that things are so political and un-transparent at the Archdiocese that this may be the only way to get the attention of Cardinal Dolan. It gives a black eye to a once-great parish and to our community.
If everyone stopped their weekly donations to the church and make the contributions to the school then I guarantee you that Cardinal Dolan would take notice. But this action would have to be accompanied by a storm of letters directly to his office explaining that your support of SFdC will not be to the church until Fr. Miqueli is gone.
St. Benedict's is a thriving church full of former SFdC parishioners. Why? Because pastors are in short supply and we've been less than fortunate of late. St. Benedict's has been lucky to get someone with those skills who is a true teacher and shepherd of his flock. Fr. Miqueli behaves like an selfish teenager who makes life miserable unless he gets things his way.
BRING BACK FR. BILL CLEARY. That should be our demand. People would flock back to the parish and school and fill the collection plate like never before. Fact is that Fr. Miqueli absolutely thinks he is the king of the parish and we peons are to be treated as such.
A PARISH IS ITS PEOPLE. ST. FRANCES DE CHANTAL IS OUR PARISH - NOT FR. MIQUELI'S. BAND TOGETHER AND WITH A SINGLULAR, CONCERTED EFFORT, HE (AND KEITH) WILL BE A BAD, DISTANT MEMORY.
We all know who the key players are in trying to get rid of Miqueli. Everyone needs to band together and work as a single unit....and act NOW.
Submitted by Anonymous33:
From the pastor's desk, July 20th bulletin:
"...so that I can focus on some of the administrational aspects of the parish that need more attention."
Sure, ok. Whatever you say.
It's hard to believe he still writes these lies in the church bulletin to make it seem as though he is actually doing something.
Submitted by Anonymous32:
People please be careful you might be mislead or even if you're not stop and think about who will take his place once you remove him from his duties. This page/petition might be to get you to put someone who wants knock down the church and put up a shop in its place or even turn the church into something that is no longer a holy place of worship. please stop and remember that not everything said on the internet is true and even if something was once true it can be turned into a lie.
>> We are parishioners trying to save our parish. What you are saying is exactly what we are trying to prevent. Yes, not everything on the internet can be true, but what this page stands for is far from a lie.
Submitted by Anonymous31:
I am peters brother please feel free to ask me any and all questions. Richie Miqueli [email protected]
Submitted by Anonymous30:
I am considering enrolling my toddler at SFDC school. How much involvement will the pastor and his "friend" have at the school? How connected are the school and this church?
I am astonished that the archdiocese allows this man to preach. I also wonder why very few people have signed the petition.
Submitted by Anonymous29:
Why all these people do not sign their name when make any evil comment? why ? Theresa
Submitted by Anonymous28:
Why is it that Fr. Miqueli seems to never say mass? Way to take advantage of your fellow priests. I feel so sorry for Fr. Antony and Fr. Joseph.
Submitted by Anonymous27:
How and why is it taking over 4 weeks to count the Easter collection? Also for the past couple of months, the collection report in the bulletin has been delayed several times, even on normal Sundays. Suspicious.
Submitted by Anonymous26:
I am upset at the parishioners of SFdC for not doing more to get rid of this menace. Fr. Miqueli is a lying cheat who needs to be run out of this great parish. It is upsetting that people still refuse to open their eyes and see the evil that is right in front of them. The Archdioceses does know about Keith but refuses to do anything about him. Shame on them. Whatever "proof" Keith has is a lie considering his well known past of violence and threats. So thank goodness we have his prayers...
Submitted by Anonymous25:
James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Submitted by Anonymous24:
Why is there DJ equipment being stored in plain sight in the Church?
Submitted by Anonymous23:
My child is making Confirmation this year. Fr. Miqueli says he wants to keep costs down, so how is it that the Confirmation fee has gone from $75 to $150? We used to be able to keep the robes, now we are expected to return them. The children used to go on retreat, and there is no indication that they will even do that this year. How do you explain this? Where is all this money going, because it is most definitely not benefiting the children.
Submitted by Anonymous22:
I think that it's disgraceful that for first time in decades, the children making First Holy Communion will not have a special day dedicated to this significant event. My child included. Instead they will receive their Sacrament with the congregation at regular Sunday Mass instead of having their own special day. I guess this is how he will get away with taking up a collection during Sacraments. Last year, a basket was passed around during Confirmation, how tactless. A collection has never been taken up during Confirmation. Maybe this is he how pays his Cardinal friend for his services.
Submitted by Anonymous21:
Shame on the Archdiocese of NY! You have knowledge of the antics of Fr. Miqueli, and still do nothing about it. How can you choose this life of service to God and then completely disregard all his teachings? How many lawsuits does it take before you handle your business? Those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.
Submitted by Anonymous20:
I am sure that there are many more stories out there. How many more things need to be happen before action is taken? Our once thriving parish is now so broken. Mass attendance is down, the children of the parish don't want to participate as they once did, Parish Council is non existent, and the cooperation of the many organizations has fallen apart. When Fr. Michael Sullivan came to our parish, he ruffled a few feathers at first and some people were unhappy. However, he proved to be a hard working, dedicated, honest and open, spiritual priest. His intentions were transparent; that our parish and school would grow, and endure for another 80 years. Fr. Miqueli is not the same type of priest that Fr. Sullivan was. Even Fr. Grace, who was only here for about 2 months, was more available and participated in the events of our community than Fr. Miqueli has in the almost 2 years he has been pastor.
Submitted by Anonymous19:
It's amazing how many people are writing and sharing their experiences here. Parishioners of SFdC have written letters to the clergy listed here on this website. The Arch tells you to report the information, you do as they advise, are told that changes will be made or the situation looked into, with the final response being that there is nothing that can be done and that St. Frances de Chantal is never happy with their pastor, and are constant complainers. It is sad that parishes all over the Bronx and Westchester are talking about SFdC and what a joke our parish as become. It is disgraceful that the Catholic Church has such a lack of interest in its parishioners.
Submitted by Anonymous18:
I don't know about some of the things he is being accused of but I do know that he is untrustworthy, a liar, is barley ever around. He is LAZY! It does appear that many of the things being said about him are true.
Submitted by Anonymous17:
I did not want to believe the stories about this priest Peter Miqueli but the truth is that he is always pushing a second collection on Sunday and the money is not accounted for or announced in our church bulletin. Something is not right with this man and it seems that he is unfit to be a pastor and that the archny has sent our GREAT parish St Frances de Chantal another one of their problem priest. I wonder who paid for his lover Keith's trip to Italy and Israel, Miqueli or our second collections. I also was on the parish pilgarmiage to Israel and it was very clear to me and everyone else on the trip that Miqueli and Keith are in love with each other. Their body language does not lie and sparks fly when they are near eachother. Any one who has a chance to spend some time around them will easily pick up on their intimate relationship and it is clear that they are both homosexuals and intimately involved.. Hey Peter Miqueli, stop disgracing the Church Have the COURAGE to accept the truth about yourself and leave the priesthood before you scandalize our parish and the archny
Submitted by Anonymous16:
I am from St frances cabrini on Roosevelt island. Peter Miqueli is thief he can not be trusted with the collection money. He nearly bankrupted our community and left us in financial ruins. Be aware because this man loves money. He and keith were the only ones allowed to count the collection money and always did so in the privacy of his apartment. Any money collected from a second collection was seldom and I dare say never accounted for. People are afraid to come forward with this truth because he has friends in high places within the archny who also protect him and will do nothing to expose this thief. the archny should audit the financial records for the 12 years during which he served as a thieving pastor. He is a common crook!
Submitted by Anonymous15:
Sadly, the accusations that are being made about this priest Peter Miqueli are TRUE. He is a very shady person and since his arrival as pastor of sdfc in the Bronx he has lived a life of secret weekly "hook ups" and getaways with his lover Keith. I was on the parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land and so was Miqueli's lover. In fact, they both flew down as partners on another airline and also flew back without us. The cover up was that supposedly Keith was on the trip as the personal aide to Deacon George Cappolla who clearly is aware of everything that is happening at the parish and protects the pastor with his silence to a fault. Shame on you Mr. Cappolla it is clear that you have chosen serving and covering up for Peter Miqueli instead of serving the church.
Submitted by Anonymous14:
Where are you going to get the funds to help you with your lawsuit? Possibly the second collections from mass that are never recorded. Thank you for your prayers.
God bless.
Submitted by Anonymous13:
Have you all not been listening to scripture readings?
Luke 16:10
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."
1 Corinthians 15:18
"Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
I have proof to defy your cowardly and anonymous false accusations, and apart from praying for all of you, I am left with no other choice than to pursue a lawsuit.
God Bless,
Keith
Submitted by Anonymous12:
Fr. Peter Miqueli is a disgraceful man and has betrayed the priesthood. He should be removed as pastor of sfdc and he is unfit to be a priest. This man had the audacity not even show up for mass or confessions on Palm Sunday, instead he was at his house in Brick, NJ for the entire week before Palm Sunday. Peter Miqueli is a immoral man and disgrace to our community and the ARCHNY.
Submitted by Anonymous11:
Not only did Fr. Peter Miqueli take Keith Crist with him on our parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but he didn't travel with us. Instead, he flew to Italy on a different airline with his lover (Keith Crist) and then took a flight from Rome, Italy to Israel. At the end of our pilgrimage he did not return back to the New York with us. Instead, he and Keith Crist flew back to Italy and spent five days alone with each other in Rome. This man is a disgrace to the priesthood and should be removed from St. Frances de Chantal immediately. When they finally returned to New York, Fr. Miqueli came back to the parish for one day and then left to be with Keith Crist in their home located in Brick, NJ.
Submitted by Anonymous10:
I'm sorry to hear of your problems with Miqueli. I could write a book about him from St. Frances Cabrini, but I'm not sure it would do you any good. You see the Director of Priests' Personnel is now Anthony Sorgie, who way back in seminary days, added Miqueli to the choir so he could accompany them to Rome. The female doc, is a psychiatrist, that presents as borderline psychotic - that's an impression not a diagnosis. Her name is Ruth and, since Miqueli's associates are mostly from 'Courage,' I believe she must be as well - or someone he worked with when 'counselling' schizophrenics and drug addicts. This was at a time that he told others that he was working as an elevator operator. Ruth only arrived on the Island after Miqueli took over.
His first act was to take $12k collected by NYPD retired detective Mary Fitzgerald, and apply it to the 'candle' fund. The candles on R Is were electric, btw. He drove the octogenarian Daughter of Charity off the Island and said she 'would never be buried on Roosevelt Island.'
He got rid of Sr Regina. She and I had our issues, but he chased her off for 'hiring illegals' in the Thrift Shop. That brought in about 3k a month, I believe and yes, the CYO was disbanded.
As for 'hiring illegals,' for a time he had as parish secretary, an illegal that hit all the marks of a Saudi agent. Seriously. She met the wrong person in me.
So they started the 'crazy lady' rumors.
Miqueli did not show up for Mass one morning, and the SEcurity and Maintenance had to break into the apartment. They told me off the record that there was a young man in bed with him.
His closest associate on St. F Cab was an obnoxious women who had been told by the FBI to clear out of the Javits Center and never return during a mob raid. This woman, the CCD director for 20 years or more only spoke to me once in the whole time, and that was to try to ascertain whether the local pro-Aborts attempts to have me audited were successful. Her apartment was raided by the NYPD and her son arrested - there was an arsenal and shedload of drugs in her apartment, and she and Miqueli are still buddy buddy.
He was obnoxious to me, while using me, as he did everyone.
He would start Exposition then sit in the office, smoking.
He would drive one away from Adoration or silent prayer as the Chapel was next to the office and he didn't want any one listening in.
The first Holy Thursday, he would not wash the feet of the parishioners but brought over a very sweet, but overweight and older Franciscan with ortho problems to kneel down and do it for him. He ran this dear man ragged saying that the parishioners were selfish and wouldn't help him.
This, of course, was false. He discarded so much good will.
In Lent he went on vacation to Florida.
After two attempts on my life on that crazy place - because if Christ is not honored as King, then guess who takes over - I found support and solace with the Good Shepherd, Protestant community.
I don't wish him harm; but if this Keith Crist is what he appears to be, Miqueli needs to take a long hard look at his life and choices and start changing them.
Be grateful that he does not go to the school. He seems instinctively or consciously to avoid contact with youth.
He survived CAbrini because it is not a strong, Faith based Parish; it is divisive,predominantly left wing and 'cafeteria' and Roosevelt Island, per se, is run on Alinsky principles.
As for Cardinal Dolan, I have one question: Anthony Sorgie as Director of Priests' Personnel - why?
Submitted by Anonymous9:
St. Frances Cabrini is not a tiny parish. The services were full and there was a thriving community until Peter Miqueli arrived. Immediately the CYO was disbanded and all the good work of our parish ended. Our beloved parish minister resigned and moved off the island the minute he arrived. He is the worst kind of person and how anyone, let alone a church would sanction his employment is a disgrace.
Submitted by Anonymous8:
I live on Roosevelt Island and am not a member or the parish but every single thing you say happened here. No records, no care for the community and a very tyranical human. He "chased" a person at a funeral to eat the communion wafer faster. He was an embarassment to the community. The happiest day was the one when everyone heard he was leaving. Watch out our your parish will be ruined.
Submitted by Anonymous7:
Although I do not appreciate the uncharitable characterization of St. Frances Cabrini as a "tiny 'parish'", as a parishioner there I must say that your overall depiction of Father Miqueli is all too accurate. His fixation on cash collections was fanatical, and he had a cohort - an alleged Secular Franciscan "Doctor" - with whom he ran the parish into the ground. If one placed checks in the collection plate, they would take up to six months to clear, presumably as an incentive for parishioners to drop in greenbacks. You can forget about spiritual direction. It would be interesting to find out why the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who helped to establish St. Frances in the 1970s, suddenly left around 2010. (I did not appreciate the Mets jacket, either.) There should be a rigorous examination of this scandalous priest - if the sin of scandal is still recognized as a sin in these days of public depravity.
Submitted by Anonymous6:
He has a cardinal in his back pocket.I would think the Arch would consider this an embarrassment and get rid of him. Shameful!
Submitted by Anonymous5:
He refused Baptism to a baby, because a member of the party was late. And didn't have the balls to tell them himself and had a parishioner go back and tell the parents he was not coming back to do the Baptism. He is a real peach.
Submitted by Anonymous4:
Listen to the latest " Nonsense"...he has a Confirmation meeting on 1/27/14 and just about everyone is on time...He instructs the CCD head liason to tell all of us he will be late becacuse parents are never on time. Then he shows with a Mets jacket on....Hey Miqueli...this is the Bronx. All paper work is handed out, he answers questions.....And orders everyone that the ROBES must be returned after the ceremony in June.....We are paying for the ROBES....He will get them back burned before we hand them back. And the final straw is the papers with the increased fees are handed out after he leaves......HE is a Coward......
Submitted by Anonymous3:
The religious education at the parish is of no importance to the Pastor. Apart form the parish school's CCD Program there is nothing else. Fr. Peter Miqueli is LAZY and Selfish! He is unfit to be a Pastor of a parish that has so much to offer. The parish does not have a proper RCIA program and he is never around. All they care about is money and are always pushing a second collection just about every Sunday. Fr. Miqueli has a lot to learn about being a priest during this time of new evangelization. God help us.
Submitted by Anonymous2:
Ed Weber is no longer on the Priest Personnel Board. In fact, Miqueli has two friends on that board and nothing will get to the entire board. It is our task to go right over their heads and let everyone know that he has friends who are protecting him from the people of the parish. The parish is the people, and if everyone doesn't band together instead of going separately to the Arch or by sending letters, nothing will ever happen. He has NO BUSINESS being the spiritual and administrative leader of a parish, and you hit the nail right on the head with your description of him.
Submitted by Anonymous1:
Do a Google search of Miqueli and his buddy Keith Crist.......and what pops up is the 2 of them with the same address in Brick NJ......
>> Links regarding the submission above:
Keith - Miqueli