Fr Umberger story is mentioned in diocesan newspaper

ONALASKA – Father Patrick Umberger, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse, was arrested on July 14 for allegedly possessing child pornography.

Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Onalaska, Father Umberger also served as chaplain of St. Patrick School, Onalaska, and Aquinas Middle School, La Crosse. He was also the diocesan webmaster at one time and maintained a personal website devoted to Catholic prayer and catechesis.

In a statement issued after the arrest, the Diocese of La Crosse said that Father Umberger was suspended from active ministry during the investigation: “It is the policy of the Diocese that pending the outcome of the investigation, Father Umberger will not be assigned any duties, and that policy will be followed by the Diocese and Aquinas Catholic Schools. This action should not be interpreted as an assessment of guilt or innocence.

It is taken to protect all parties involved.” In a July 17 letter read at St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations of the Mass, Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Richard Gilles sought to console St. Patrick parishioners upon hearing of the allegations against Father Umberger.

“It is at times like this that I recall very clearly St. Paul’s words about the body of Christ – that when one member suffers we all do,” he said. “By that same teaching, we can help to build up the body of Christ, to lift one another up with our prayers – those which are public and those expressed in the deep recesses of our anguished hearts.”

Onalaska pastor arrested as part of investigation In the letter, Monsignor Gilles assured St. Patrick’s parishioners that area clergy would continue to provide sacramental support at St. Patrick’s.

He also quoted a message from Bishop William P. Callahan, bishop-designate of the Diocese of La Crosse. Bishop Callahan will be installed as 10th bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse on Aug. 11.

“During difficult times like these we are all brought to our knees,” Bishop Callahan said in the letter. “My prayer is that we not be afraid to face the difficult issues and as a Church, place these in the Lord’s hands. Our Catholic faith is grounded in Jesus Christ. I pray that as we approach Jesus in Holy Communion today we can pray for God’s healing for one another, for Father Umberger and for all of us in the Diocese.”

 The Catholic Times

Reportedly there were many at Mass last weekend at St Pat's in Onalaska who were brought to tears.  Not much was said of the issue except at the end of Mass, letters from both Gilles and Callahan were read.  Parishioners were told of the "priest shortage" and that the diocese would do its best to find a replacement.

Update: By the way, if you want to follow the Fr. Umberger events, you can click the label below or click this to see just the posts that refer to the recent events.