Pastor's arrest stuns parishioners
BY MICHAEL MURPHY Daily Herald Staff Writer

 
A Villa Park pastor faces several felony charges after police say he used the
Internet to arrange a drug deal and sexual rendezvous with a 14-year-old boy
in Wisconsin.
The Rev. John Furdek, 47, was arrested Thursday afternoon in a McDonald's
parking lot in Racine, Wis., carrying six doses of illegal anabolic steroids
and enough marijuana to fill three-quarters of a film container, Wisconsin
Department of Justice officials said.

The pastor of St. Alexander's Catholic Church was placed on administrative
leave by the Diocese of Joliet after the arrest.

Authorities said the priest began an Internet exchange with someone he
believed to be a 14-year-old boy on Jan. 11.

Actually talking to agents from the Department's Crimes Against Children Task
Force, he discussed exercise and sports. Police said the conversations also
were sexual in nature.

Wisconsin Department of Justice spokesman Jim Haney said Furdek arranged the
meeting and told the fictitious boy he could sell him steroids and marijuana
to enhance his workouts.

St. Alexander's parishioners were in disbelief Friday when news of the
pastor's arrest trickled through the community.

"This is a shock to me," 17-year-old parishioner Jon Jarog said. "I just
can't believe it. He seemed like a good man. A good priest."

Village President Rae Rupp-Srch has been a member of the parish for more than
10 years and said the charges could have a tremendous impact on the Catholic
parish that recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.

"If it's true, it could be devastating to the parish," Rupp-Srch said.

Furdek became pastor of St. Alexander's in 1996 and has been popular with
many parishioners.

Since he was ordained in 1984, Furdek served as a priest at St. Mary of
Gostyn in Downers Grove, Ss. Peter & Paul, of Naperville and St. Philip the
Apostle in Addison.

Diocese officials said Friday they were appalled by the charges and moved
quickly to remove Furdek from his post and place the Villa Park parish in the
hands of the Rev. Tuan Van Nguyen, who was assigned to St. Alexander's as
parochial vicar when Furdek was named pastor.

"We are appalled at the report of the charges filed against Fr. John Furdek
and are sorry for the turmoil such news will cause parishioners of St.
Alexander's and others," Diocese Chancellor Sister Judith A. Davies said in a
written statement. "Prayers are requested for all concerned."

Villa Park police and Wisconsin authorities went to Furdek's house about 1
a.m. Friday and confiscated a computer and videotapes.

Furdek was being held Friday in the Racine County jail. His bail was set at
$60,600.

He is charged with attempted second degree sexual assault of a child,
soliciting child enticement and attempted child enticement.

He is scheduled to appear in Racine County Circuit Court on Feb. 28.

Authorities said Furdek, an avid swimmer and snorkeler, arranged to sell the
boy five doses of illegal anabolic steroids for $75. The priest said he would
bring syringes and needles, officials said.

Police found the steroids Sustenon and Omnadren, the marijuana, syringes and
a pipe in a black pouch in Furdek's vehicle, authorities said.

"We're praying very hard that everything is going to be all right," lifelong
parishioner Mary Guth said. "We'll keep praying and hoping there's a mistake."

Guth described the priest as a pious and dedicated man who kept up an
interest in church activities.

That Furdek could be guilty of the charges lodged against him was something
beyond belief for parishioner Marianne McKeague.

"There's no possibility that that is true," McKeague said.