Office of the General Counsel 3211 FOURTH S T R E E T NE • WASHINGTON DC 20017-1194 • 202-541-3300 • FAX 202-541-3337 MEMORANDUM To: All Bishops From: Jeffrey Hunter Moon, Director of Li Date: March 20, 2015 Subject: FR. R O B E R T A S C O L E S E Your Eminence / Your Excellency, The Diocese of Metuchen has advised the Conference of its concerns regarding Rev. Robert Ascoiese, a priest of that diocese. The Diocese advises that Fr. Ascoiese is on administrative leave and has been directed by Bishop Bootkoski not to present himself as a priest or to involve himself in Project Bread for Life, an organization Fr. Ascoiese established that allegedly raises money to support ministries of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God (SMG) in Africa. The Diocese states that in the past, including as recently as last month, Fr. Ascoiese has received permission from pastors in several states to allow him to speak on and raise money for Project Bread for Life. He is alleged to have used his own name and also identified himself as Fr. Robert Szysko, Brother Bill Stevens, DVD, and possibly Fr. Robert Menendcz, OFM Cap. The Diocese advises that an investigation into Project Bread for Life is currently underway. Those needing further information may contact Msgr. William Benwell, Vicar General of the Diocese of Metuchen, at (732) 562-2440 or wbenweltfaidiometuchcn.ora.