By Tara Conry
When the Diocese of Rockville Centre informed Sister Kathy Riordan that she would be forced to leave the campus community after 10 years of dedicated service, she said she would not go down without a fight.
Serving as the full-time Catholic presence for the University, Riordan was saddened to learn she would be one of three nuns at campuses on Long Island to be replaced by fresh-faced ministers straight out of college.
“They want young blood,” Riordan said.
Riordan said the news came after a diocese meeting on March 1, when the Rev. Brian Barr gave only one reason for her dismissal- restructuring.
She also learned two other nuns, Sister Katherine Hickey of New York Institute of Technology at Old Westbury and Sister Elizabeth McGarvey of SUNY Farmingdale, would also be terminated. By fall 2005 the new plans will have stripped the Campus Parish of Long Island of all but one of its female chaplains.
“I think without a female perspective we are not being provided with a well-balanced view of the Catholic faith,” Leanne Marie Ricchiuti, a sophomore who is a member of the Newman Club, a Catholic group advised by Riordan, said.
“They haven’t had enough life themselves,” Ricchiuti, a drama TV/radio major, said. “We need someone who has faced failure and learned to succeed in order to show us how to be successful.”
Riordan also said since her replacements will be straight out of college, their experiences will be limited and their beliefs may be more conservative. While she has always been open minded when counseling students, she fears the beliefs of the new ministers might discourage students from seeking guidance on issues such as abortion, premarital sex and homosexuality.
With the new chaplains serving less than 20 hours a week at the University, Riordan said students will no longer be able to drop in for guidance, weakening the support system and sense of community on campus.
Barr, the director of the Campus Parish of Long Island, failed to return requests for comment, but Sean Dolan, spokesman for the diocese, praised the new plans. He confirmed that the changes have already been passed and the nuns’ contracts will not be renewed.
“Like in any company, when you’re trying to update your product, some jobs will be affected,” Dolan said.
Riordan said she knows the diocese is a business, but said, “It’s more than a business to me- it’s my life.”
Standing behind the Vatican’s call to raise enthusiasm among young Catholics, Dolan said Bishop William Murphy selected Barr to lead the campus ministry reform.
“Father Brian has a vision and it’s peer ministry,” Dolan said.
Barr studied the most effective measures being used in campuses throughout the country and concluded that students would benefit more from ministers close to their age, Dolan said.
“Sister Kathy has done an amazing job increasing attendance at events sponsored by the Interfaith Center,” Jamie Herzing, president of the Newman Club, whose members have written letters to the Bishop, said.
Linda O’Malley, the assistant dean of students, said members of the administration were not consulted about Riordan’s dismissal and intend to voice their concerns to the bishop.
Rabbi Meir Mitelman, who works with Riordan in the Interfaith Center, said he was shocked when he learned about the diocese’s decision.
“There is value to peer ministers, but not in place of an experienced, caring and hardworking professional,” Mitelman said.
Mitelman said Riordan makes it a point to be a part of the campus, including non-religious events.
‘I just love Hofstra,” said Riordan. “I’ve even attended sports games where I scream and cheer with the rest of the crowd.”
Mitelman said she is adored and respected by students, noting that when Riordan planned an event to bring students of all faiths together she anticipated 30 people, but more than 60 students attended.
Riordan said she participated in a self-study last year with chaplains from other Long Island colleges to draw up a proposal on how to improve campus ministry, but the bishop has not used any of these suggestions.
Murphy also attempted to introduce a plan to restructure adult education in the diocese, but after the plan spurred negative feedback from parishioners, he agreed to postpone discussion of the new plan for at least one year, Roiordan said. She has shared the news with only a small number of students, faculty and members of the Newman Club, who have written letters to the bishop to express their outrage. Riordan hopes the complaints will cause the bishop to reconsider this plan, as well.
Meanwhile, Riordan said if the diocese refuses to renew her contract she will be joining University graduates in search of a job at the end of the semester.

Sister Kathy has long been a part of the University community.