Gary Guyer

To the editor,

I am writing this letter in response to the disturbing news that Father Gary Kosmowski is being moved from St. Joseph Church her in Laconia after being here 13 years.

Personally, I was completely turned off by the Catholic Church after the exposure of the scandals concerning priests. I planned on new entering a Catholic Church again. However, I gave Father Gary a try and I can credit him with keeping me in the church.

My tow boys are in the Laconia Little League and for years, on opening day, Father Gary would be there to say a prayer.

I don't know why the diocese would pull-out priests that have been here for over 12 year at a time when the Laconia parishes need an anchor, such as a well-loved parish priest, to weather the merger. Moving a priest who has baptized our children, counseled and married our young couples, buried our loves ones and counseled sick or grieving parishioners is like forcing a patient to change a doctor or psychiatrist in the middle of treatment. It is dangerous to the patient, and wrong. If I was lucky enough not to survive him, I was planning on — but not particularly looking forward to — having Father Gary bury me.

I read the article in Monday's Laconia Citizen about Father Gary not supporting the petition to keep him here. Having observed him over the years, and having seen him recently when he had to give us the sad news that he is leaving, I would guess that he really wants to stay here but can't say that.

I am going to continue to withhold my contribution until I know Father Gary is going to stay.

Gary Guyer

Laconia