Secretary Accuses Nun Of Sexual Misconduct
DANBURY, Conn. -- A Catholic school secretary has accused a nun of sexual misconduct in what officials say is the first such accusation against a nun in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.
The former principal of St. Joseph's School in Brookfield, Sister M. Bernice Stobierski, is accused of touching the secretary and herself in a lewd manner, giving unwanted back rubs and making kissing sounds toward the woman.
An attorney for Maryann Favale, 48, has filed a complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
A diocese spokesman called the claims outrageous and said Stobierski, 56,who resigned in June, remains in good standing within the church.
"I did not speak or act in any way that was sexually inappropriate," Stobierski told staff members in June, according to a statement released by the diocese. "If anyone tells you differently, she or he is incorrect, mistaken or lying.
"I am a person who hugs. That apparently made Maryann uncomfortable. That certainly was not my intention, and I regret that she felt uncomfortable and chose not to seek reconciliation with me."
Diocese officials have investigated and determined that Stobierski did nothing wrong.
"The diocese stands 100 percent behind our original statement and original investigation," spokesman Joseph McAleer said.
Stobierski is a member of the Sisters of The Holy Family of Nazareth in Monroe. She has served the order as development director and vocations director. In the late 1980s, she worked for one year as principal of St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby, which is part of the Archdiocese of Hartford. She also has worked as a technology coordinator in the Diocese of Bridgeport's education office.
McAleer said she has a perfect record in those jobs. "She will await her next reassignment," he said.
In a statement to parents and staff in June, school Superintendent Armand Fabbri said Stobierski resigned for personal reasons.
"The diocese did not paint an accurate portrait," Favale's attorney, Lewis H. Chimes, said. "She was engaging in inappropriate behavior which Ms. Favale had no desire to have."
The diocese is looking for a new principal for St. Joseph's and Favale has yet to return to work.
DANBURY, Conn. -- A Catholic school secretary has accused a nun of sexual misconduct in what officials say is the first such accusation against a nun in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.
The former principal of St. Joseph's School in Brookfield, Sister M. Bernice Stobierski, is accused of touching the secretary and herself in a lewd manner, giving unwanted back rubs and making kissing sounds toward the woman.
An attorney for Maryann Favale, 48, has filed a complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
A diocese spokesman called the claims outrageous and said Stobierski, 56,who resigned in June, remains in good standing within the church.
"I did not speak or act in any way that was sexually inappropriate," Stobierski told staff members in June, according to a statement released by the diocese. "If anyone tells you differently, she or he is incorrect, mistaken or lying.
"I am a person who hugs. That apparently made Maryann uncomfortable. That certainly was not my intention, and I regret that she felt uncomfortable and chose not to seek reconciliation with me."
Diocese officials have investigated and determined that Stobierski did nothing wrong.
"The diocese stands 100 percent behind our original statement and original investigation," spokesman Joseph McAleer said.
Stobierski is a member of the Sisters of The Holy Family of Nazareth in Monroe. She has served the order as development director and vocations director. In the late 1980s, she worked for one year as principal of St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby, which is part of the Archdiocese of Hartford. She also has worked as a technology coordinator in the Diocese of Bridgeport's education office.
McAleer said she has a perfect record in those jobs. "She will await her next reassignment," he said.
In a statement to parents and staff in June, school Superintendent Armand Fabbri said Stobierski resigned for personal reasons.
"The diocese did not paint an accurate portrait," Favale's attorney, Lewis H. Chimes, said. "She was engaging in inappropriate behavior which Ms. Favale had no desire to have."
The diocese is looking for a new principal for St. Joseph's and Favale has yet to return to work.
