Parishioners stand behind priest accused of cultivating marijuana

Published: 2004-01-29

BARBERTON, Ohio (CNS) -- A week after the arrest of Father Richard Arko on a charge of cultivating marijuana, parishioners at Prince of Peace Church say they support him and hope he will return as their pastor. "Parishioners are willing to forgive and have him come back," said Lawrence Lauter, a lay ecclesial minister who was named parish life coordinator at the church Jan. 23, the day Father Arko began a leave of absence. "Father Rick has given us a vision of what a caring community is supposed to be about, ... to be an adult faith community, to be in relationship with Jesus and one another," Lauter told the Catholic Universe Bulletin, newspaper of the Cleveland Diocese. The priest's parish is located southwest of Akron on the border between the suburbs of Norton and Barberton. The rectory and church are in Norton while the parish hall and parking lot are in Barberton. Parishioners who gathered for morning Mass Jan. 28 remained optimistic that Father Arko, who practices yoga and is a massage therapist, would return to lead their parish. Although saddened by events, they remain supportive of the 40-year-old priest, who was named pastor of the 19-month-old parish last March.

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