This story originally appeared June 22, 2009 in The Star-Ledger.
NEWARK -- Two Newark city council members and Democratic party power broker Steven Adubato have joined in the effort to help a beloved monsignor live out his retirement at the parish he has served for more than half a century.
Adubato and council members Annibal Ramos Jr. and Luis A. Quintana have joined the effort to keep 80-year-old Msgr. Joseph J. Granato at St. Lucy's Church.
On June 14, about 600 people marched in support of the monsignor. About a dozen picketed outside the archdiocese today, and another march is scheduled for Sunday.
Beyond the church, Granato is considered an anchor for the community. After it underwent radical changes and saw many of its mostly Italian parishioners move from Newark. Granato stayed, and is credited for supporting affordable housing, and embracing diversity in the congregation.
"Monsignor has been such an integral part of the St. Lucy's community, and parish over the years," said Ramos in a YouTube video appeal for Granato.
Granato at one point was going to be allowed to stay by an earlier successor, but the successor turned down the job, after receiving threats of physical injury from parishioners, Goodness said.
Archdiocese spokesman, Jim Goodness, today said Newark Archbishop John J. Myers has heard the community's outcry, but not wavered on the decision to move Granato out of the parish on July 1. Vice Chancellor, Msgr. Frank Seymour is expected to take over St. Lucy's, until a permanent successor is found, Goodness said.
"We obey the archbishop," insisted Adubato, a lifelong St. Lucy's parishioner, who believed the pontiff will only intervene now, if people pray for it.
"We're pleading with him, please. We're praying," said Adubato, who is best known for his blunt, tough talk.
But Adubato, founder of the North Ward Center, a community services organization, and the Robert Treat Academy charter school, has softened, due to his devotion to St. Lucy's and Granato. Adubato said he will hold a news conference at his office Wednesday, calling on the archdiocese to keep the monsignor at St. Lucy's.
"Like the other two pastors, who died there. Let him die there, in his bed," said Adubato.
Ramos and Quintana made comments in English and Spanish, on YouTube, to promote a rally and prayer march outside St. Lucy's from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
"It's not just for Catholics, it's for everyone who can come and voice and demonstrate that Msgr. Granato deserves the kind of respect, that has not been given," Quintana said in the video.
Other politicians advocating for Granato to stay include, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., County Freeholder and Democratic Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo, and Bloomfield First-Ward Councilwoman Janice Maly. Maly represents residents, who once lived in Newark's former Italian First Ward, where St. Lucy's is located. Many still attend services at the church, she said.
Granato has not spoken publicly, due to a gag order. He is expected to go to a retirement home in Caldwell, or a private house he owns in Newark, Goodness said.
Life-long parishioner Walter Genuario, a vice principal in the Newark public schools who lives in West Caldwell, said Granato was humble, pious, unassuming, and served as a parent to many in his flock.
"He's like a surrogate father to many of us," said Genuario. "And it feels like they're taking him out of our home."
