This letter is written by Janice Krish:
St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation is about to lose beloved priest, Father Michael Sequeira, despite pleas for him to stay, for no good reason.
After a breakdown in communication with Bishop Michael Cote of the diocese of Norwich, Father Michael Sequeira, pastor of St. Mary’s for 24 years, submitted his letter of resignation on April 30, and the bishop promptly accepted it.
”Recent communications from Bishop Cote made me realize that he was troubling me for no reasons at all and my fear was only escalating,” said Father Sequeira. “In fact, his recent letter of April 24 to my parishioners and the accusations in it, made me sleepless, restless and unable to eat well. Fearing more persecution in the future and tears which would substantially affect my ministry and would be most noticeable to parishioners, I submitted my resignation.”
Father Michael responded to the outpouring of emotion and support from parishioners and agreed to stay on as full-time pastor of St. Mary’s if he were treated fairly. He humbly wrote to Bishop Cote rescinding his letter of resignation.
The bishop remained distant and unapproachable, and all letters and phone calls from countless parishioners who contacted him asking that he keep Father Michael at St. Mary’s, went unanswered. He also chose not to meet with him, despite multiple requests for a personal meeting to offer spiritual guidance and pastoral leadership, instead he sent a letter pushing him out.
“As soon as your resignation was received, it was accepted and you were sent a copy of that acceptance…. We immediately began the search for your replacement," wrote Bishop Cote. "I hope you will continue with your original plans for your retirement and departure from the parish by the end of May."
“I feel he was most happy with my resignation,” said Father Sequeira. “I intend to write to the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome requesting a thorough investigation into my case as well as into other potential cases involving other priests and the Diocesan population as well.
Father Michael is a treasure to St. Mary’s, serving eleven masses a week in a trilingual parish that includes Hispanic and Brazilian members. He works tirelessly, with little support, giving his whole life to his church and people. He now falls short two years until he would receive his full retirement and will move to a mobile park.
In a time of priest shortages and plans for parish restructuring that calls for sharing of priests and resources of nearby churches, the best the bishop can offer is a remote farewell to a seasoned priest who is willing and able to serve.
--Janice Krish, St. Mary’s parishioner
I have sent letters (via fax and hard copy U.S. Mail) to both Rome and the Archbishop. PLEASE do as well. Below are the addresses and phone numbers. For more information on how this happened feel free to call me, 203-927-7343. Sending a letter to Bishop Cote is worthless. I believe he won't read any he receives. He has mistreated Father and rumor has it others as well. Cardinal Mauro Piacenza Prefect of The Congregation for the Clergy Piazza Pio XII 3 00l93 Rome, Italy Europe phone: 011.3906.69.88.4l.5l Fax: 011.3906.69.88.48.45 www.clerus.org Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W Washington, DC, USA Telephone: (202)333-7121 Fax: 202-337-4036 Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Bishop of Norwich 201 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 860-887-9294 Fax (860) 886-1670
Marie D'Alessio-parishioner of St. Mary's of the Visitation for 38 years.
It was also very inappropriate and disrespectful for the Bishop to mail that accusatory letter to all the families in this parish without the awareness of, or input from, Father Michael. I find myself wondering whether Bishop Cote cares about us as parishioners, or about this parish as a whole, when he seems more interested in playing the religious equivalent of corporate politics. Peggy Krny - parishioner of St. Mary's of the Visitation for 31 years.