Joseph Bukoski, III
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Reverend Joseph Bukoski, III, SS.CC., is a Roman Catholic priest of the Hawaiian Province of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He served in the church for many years, but was removed from his post in 2003 following allegations of sexual abuse, for which he has since apologised.
Bukoski was ordained to the presbyterate at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Kaimuki in 1979, and served as parochial vicar till 1985. Thereafter he studied Canon law and, after obtaining his licentiate, was appointed by Bishop Joseph Ferrario as the head of the diocesan tribunal and judicial vicar of the Honolulu diocese. In 1990, he was elected as Provincial Superior of the Hawaiian Province of the Sacred Hearts Fathers and Brothers. He served as Provincial Superior for six years. He oversaw activities related to the beatification of Father Damien, culminating in his leading a Hawai‘i delegation to Belgium. For his efforts relating to the beatification, the King of Belgium knighted him.
In 1998, he was assigned as pastor of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina. He served in that post until he was removed by Bishop Francis DiLorenzo in 2003 for allegations relating to sexual improprieties some thirty years earlier.