December 1, 2010Diocese of La Crosse
CONTACT: Office of Communications
(608) 791-2655
STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF FATHER PATRICK UMBERGER
The Diocese extends to the family and friends of Father Patrick Umberger our prayers and support in this sad and difficult time. While Father Umberger’s recent years have been filled with physical pain and sadness, our faith teaches that he is now in a place of light, happiness and peace.
It is unfortunate that Father Umberger was denied, by death, his day in Court. Despite the somewhat graphic reporting of Father Umberger’s troubling statements about his private thoughts and private life, the Diocese has yet to be provided any evidence of criminal activity by Father Umberger. We hope that, now upon his death, people will be merciful in their judgments and remember his many good deeds, as we all hope they do for each of us.
We pray also for the people of his parishes and those places where he served – for those he helped and those whom he unfortunately disappointed. As we approach this Christmas season, may we all find peace and happiness here on earth as it is in heaven.
Interesting, the reports that we all read in the news said that Fr. Umberger admitted his guilt to the charges of possession of child porn. How can the diocese say "the Diocese has yet to be provided with any evidence of criminal activity"? Seems like a strange statement knowing that they have viewed the pictures, unless they feel those pictures were not pornographic in nature. If that was the case I'd think they would have went to trial instead of negotiating.
I heard a theory involving Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen who announced the arrest of Fr. Umberger. Van Hollen is a Freemason and holds one of the high ranks Grand Master of the Freemasons in Wisconsin or something like that. The thought is that Van Hollen needed a nice distraction for his reelection campaign in November and that is why he pursued Umberger. Now obviously if these photos were indeed Fr. Umberger's as he reportedly admitted then it's neither here nor there but a high profile arrest right before reelection seems like a nice poll booster.
At any rate, the family is having a private funeral which is understandable. Let's pray for his soul and all the deceased priest of our diocese. Despite their failings they bring us the sacraments of salvation of which there is no substitute.
3 comments:
According to his biography on the Wisconsin Department of Justice website, JB Van Hollen was the Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons in Wisconsin. What makes this interesting: on his campaign website, he made no mention of this about his involvement with the Masons. However, on his campaign website he talks about the need to crack down on internet crimes against children. The Wisconsin DOJ website brings this up too. The question: as AG and as District Attorney, what dealings did Van Hollen had with the Catholic Church.
The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010 on pg 6 has a biographical sketch of JB Hollen and his association with the Free and Accepted Masons was listed. Whether this affected the Umberger arrest remains to be seen. Politics and he running for reelection played a role-campaigning against internet crimes against children.
You can find a pic of VanHollen wearing his Masonic kilt/skirt out there, someplace.
Regardless, he did NOT need a boost for re-election. He could be a chipmunk and win against the (D) opponent this year.
One suspects that the Diocesan statement was written by their lawyer--for legal purposes.
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