The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse has updated its policies to lower the burden of proof for launching internal investigations of child sex abuse by members of the clergy and to reflect modern avenues for crimes against children.
Bishop James Callahan[ahem, a quick search of the diocesan website shows our current bishop to be "William Patrick Callahan, O.F.M. Conv." The Editor of the La Crosse Tribune is the one who wrote this article....] said Wednesday that revision of the standards was one of his priorities on taking charge of the diocese in August 2010, spurred in part by Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 update of church rules.
Following the Vatican's lead, the new policy expands the scope of child sex abuse to include computer crimes such as downloading child pornography or sending explicit electronic messages.
"I really applaud the pope, because this is just so much common sense," Callahan said. "People don't realize how advanced the church is in dealing with issues of protection of children. ... We were not in the past, and we certainly have taken our lumps because of it." [College sports programs come to mind here]
The policies govern how the diocese, which serves 196,246 Catholics in 165 parishes across western Wisconsin, investigates allegations of sexual abuse of children and other vulnerable people and how clergy are disciplined.
Callahan emphasized that while the church conducts internal investigations, all allegations are first reported to civil authorities.
"Many times the civil authorities are telling us there's nothing there, and we still look into it," he said. "That doesn't trump anything we do."
Decisions re-affirmed
The changes include new language that lowers the burden of proof required to open an internal investigation.
Callahan said the diocese's review board - a panel of clergy and lay people charged with investigating sexual abuse allegations - reviewed its prior cases using the new standards and affirmed its decisions.
An audit by another diocese confirmed those results, said James Birnbaum, the diocese's attorney and a member of the review board.
Since the formation of the review board in 2003, 11 priests have been accused by adults who said they were abused as children. Of those allegations, Birnbaum said, 10 were against priests who had since died or left the ministry; the diocese could not sufficiently confirm the other case.
Those cases involved allegations of abuse at least 20 years in the past, Birnbaum said.
Birnbaum said any allegations of recent or ongoing abuse are to be reported first to civil authorities.
"The first thing that happens is we call the cops," he said.
Though never accused of abusing children in the diocese, the Rev. Patrick Umberger, pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Onalaska, was charged last year with possession of child pornography. Umberger died with his legal case pending.
The nine-member review board includes a psychologist, a retired judge, and a corporate executive in addition to three clergy members and two attorneys.
‘A necessity regardless'
One of the changes - to the language surrounding the burden of proof for investigating allegations against priests - addresses a concern raised last year by a priest and canon lawyer in the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
In June 2010, two months before Callahan's installation as bishop, the Rev. James Connell wrote that the diocese's policy was out of line with church standards.
The diocese standard for determining whether to forward allegations to church officials in Rome called for "moral certitude which excludes every prudent doubt or every doubt founded on positive reasons" rather than the mere "semblance of truth" outlined in church law.
The new document requires the allegation to be "sufficiently credible" and corroborated by evidence from a witness, document or other source.
Connell, who Callahan calls a good friend, declined to comment on the new document except to say the new language satisfies his concerns.
"The review of the policies was something that needed to be done whether Father (Connell) brought it about or didn't," Callahan said. "I saw it was a necessity regardless."
Showing posts with label Fr Pat Umberger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fr Pat Umberger. Show all posts
LaXTrib: Bishop "James" Callahan updates La Crosse Diocese abuse policy
DOJ finishes investigation into Onalaska priest 10 months after his death
The state Department of Justice said today it finished its investigation into a Diocese of La Crosse priest who resigned from his parish after being charged with child pornography.
Great news, especially since the Rev. Patrick Umberger died in December of liver cancer.
The Tribune has been after reports from the DOJ since the onset of the case. Our requests were repeatedly denied because the matter was under investigation.
We continued to check on the request from time to time and always received a polite note from DOJ with the same response. Then today, the DOJ responded with this e-mail:
"Because the Umberger matter was closely tied with some other investigations that remained open up until recently, we were not able to provide those records without potentially jeopardizing the other matters. With the related investigations now closed, we have put your request onto our active response list."
Other investigations? This should be interesting.
The department continued that other requests have priority, but the Umberger records are being reviewed for release and should be available "soon." We'll eagerly await their arrival.
Fr Umberger obituary
With hope in the Resurrection, we commend to the LordLa Crosse Tribune
Father Patrick Albert Umberger, at the age of 60 and a priest for 30 years, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, in La Crosse.
Father Umberger was born Oct. 21, 1950, in La Crosse, to Odell and MaryAnn (née Jacobs) Umberger. He attended Stoddard Elementary School in Stoddard,and was a 1968 graduate of De Soto High School in De Soto. Father Umberger graduated from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in music education in 1972, and taught music for several years in Birchwood, Wis., and Lansing, Iowa. He then entered Saint Francis Seminary School of Pastoral Ministry in Milwaukee, and was ordained May 16, 1980, for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral in Milwaukee by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B. Father Umberger served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in West Allis, Wis. and Immaculate Conception Parish in Burlington, Wis., in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Father Umberger’s first assignment in the Diocese of La Crosse was as Associate Pastor of St. James Parish in La Crosse on June 24, 1986. In 1987, he was appointed Associate Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Mauston and on March 13, 1990, he was appointed Pastor of St. Jerome Parish in Wonewoc, Wis., St. Patrick Parish in Elroy, Wis., and St. Theresa Parish in Union Center. Father Umberger was incardinated into the Diocese of La Crosse on June 22, 1991. On June 15, 1993, he was appointed Pastor of St. Bronislava Parish in Plover, Wis. Father Umberger was then appointed Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Arcadia on July 25, 2000. On Jan. 20, 2004, he was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Ansgar Parish in Blair and St. John the Apostle Parish in Whitehall; then on Feb. 9, 2005, he was appointed Pastor of the two parishes. Father Umberger was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Onalaska on June 21, 2005, and as Pastor on Nov. 30, 2005. He resigned from the pastorate on July 29, 2010.
In his free time, Father Pat loved fishing and enjoyed traveling throughout the world.
Father Pat is survived by two sisters, Kitty (Rick) Stellick of Viroqua, and Kathy (Jeff) Benson of Stoddard; nephews, Chuck Morey of Viroqua, and Kyle Benson of Stoddard; niece, CarrieAnn Morey (Lee Sherry) of Viroqua; a grand-nephew and niece, Brett and Hallie; a good friend, Nancy “Fluff” Schreier of Onalaska; and his two cats, Bailey and Ashes.
Father Pat was preceded in death by his parents and maternal and paternal grandparents.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Dec. 3, at Christ the King Chapel in Holy Cross Diocesan Center in La Crosse. Bishop William P. Callahan was the main celebrant.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Franciscan Skemp Hospice and the staff at Meadowood Assisted Living for their wonderful care and compassion and to extend a special thank you to Pat and Rose Ferguson and Msgr. Bernard McGarty and his sister, Ellen McGarty Flynn for graciously opening their homes to Father Pat.
The Diocese of La Crosse and the family are being assisted by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse. An online guest book is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.
La Crosse Diocese issues statement on Fr. Umberger death
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.
Tribune: Umberger charges dropped in light of death
A Diocese of La Crosse priest who resigned from his parish after being charged with child pornography died Tuesday morning.La Crosse Tribune
The Rev. Patrick Umberger, who re-signed in late July as priest at St. Patrick's Catholic Parish in Onalaska, succumbed to cancer at Meadow Wood Assisted Living in La Crosse, attorney, Keith Belzer said. He was 60.
John Staut, grand knight of the St. Patrick's Parish Knights of Columbus council, said Umberger had been sick and his death did not come as a surprise.
"He's in God's hands," Staut said. "For everything that happens there is a reason."
Staut said Umberger's leadership has been missed.
"Not only because of the situation but because of his illness he was constantly in our prayers and thoughts," he said. "Our prayers are with him and his family."
La Crosse County prosecutors in July filed a possession of child pornography charge against Umberger after state agents discovered three sexually graphic pictures of nearly nude children on his computer.
A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf to the charge. The criminal charge will be dismissed in light of his death.
Umberger, who also taught at St. Patrick School and was chaplain at Aquinas Middle School, was arrested almost one year after a family and two Wisconsin Dells Noah's Ark Water Park employees said they saw Umberger follow several young boys into a bathroom by a children's pool area July 22, 2009, according to a Lake Delton police report. Park officials revoked his season pass and placed him on a watch list.
St. Patrick's member Joe Chilsen said parishioners he talked to were saddened by the news of Umberger's death but relieved at not having to endure the emotional turmoil of his trial.
"We didn't find out what the truth was, but we also don't have to open a wound," Chilsen said. "We're just starting to heal."
At the same time, he said, the parish has lost someone who once was highly respected.
"It's in a sense like there were two deaths here: one was the death of respect and the other was physical death."
The diocese is saddened by Umberger's loss, spokesman Stan Gould said. Diocese officials met Tuesday with Umberger's family and are expected to issue a statement today.
Details on Umberger's arrangements were not available.
Tribune reporter Chris Hubbuch contributed to this report.
Fr Pat Umberger passed away this morning
The Diocese press office has not yet replied to me.
A sad end to a sad tale. Fr. Umberger's charges were still being negotiated with the DA. His next hearing was in January. You can check back on the history by clicking here. I'll pass on details as they are coming. The Diocese has not issued a statement yet.
Fr. Umberger has suffered from cancer for many years and almost died last year to the same illness.
Bp Callahan: USCCB audit show "clean bill of health" in abuse scandals this year
You remember, I’m sure, that I was installed as your bishop with some fairly serious allegations and accusations about reported priestly misconduct. I, like you, sure wish we didn’t have to live through these sad reminders of our weaknesses, especially the weaknesses of a few of our clergy.The rest at The Catholic Times - La Crosse
Nevertheless, we remember, too, that God’s love and grace are strong enough to get us through. Much of my time during these first 100 days has been spent working to assure you, and especially our victim-survivors, that we take our obligation and responsibility to protect children and everyone in the Church from anyone who would violate them or hurt them in any way very seriously.
You know we can never apologize enough for the hurt that has been inflicted on so many individuals and on the Church as a whole because of the scandal of abuse. Reviews of policies are taking place along with discussions and procedures for settling past grievances and reports. With charity and love we move forward.
It is also important to note that, during these first 100 days, we received our report from the Gavin Group. They are the people charged by the USCCB to audit the dioceses of the country to maintain our levels of compliance and adherence to “The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” and the essential norms that were set by the bishops in 2002. Once again, as we have every year that we have been audited by the Gavin Group, the Diocese of La Crosse received a “clean bill of health.” We continue to maintain high levels of expectations for Safeguarding God’s Children. We will continue to make steady progress in this area.
Well, conspiracy theorists will also have to debunk the third party Gavin Group who does these audits. Essentially this is saying that the diocese handled Fr. Pat Umberger's situation correctly and made proper decisions with the information they had in hand.
Umberger's next court date
Nobody is reporting it but I looked up on http://wcca.wicourts.gov and Fr. Pat Umberger's next status conference is January 6, 2011. I'm sure it a closed door kind of thing. I haven't heard anything more about how this is moving along.
Umberger status conference tomorrow
A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of the Rev. Patrick Umberger, 59, to one count of possession of child pornography after a judge bound the priest over for trial when he waived his preliminary hearing in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The case is set next for an Oct. 19 status conference.La Crosse Tribune
Umberger, a priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska since 2005, was arrested July 14 at the rectory when state agents said they discovered the photographs on his computer, according to the complaint.
I haven't seen anything further on this. This article is from July 29th.
Fr Kachel appointed new pastor of Umberger's former St Pat's
La Crosse TribOn his first weekend as leader of the La Crosse Catholic diocese, Bishop William Patrick Callahan celebrated Mass at St. Patrick's church in Onalaska, where he urged the parish to maintain hope and faith after the arrest of their former pastor on child pornography charges.
Praying for healing and strength, Callahan promised to work to protect the children of the diocese and prevent anything similar from happening again. He also announced the appointment of a new pastor to lead St. Patrick's.
Callahan acknowledged the impact of the July 14 arrest of the Rev. Patrick Umberger.
"The influence of evil always leaves a trail of sadness and sorrow," he said. "I think that may be where some of us are right now. Some are sad. Some are angry. Some are disappointed. All of us are feeling the effects of a bad thing that has happened. It has dealt a serious blow to this community. We cannot simply or casually dismiss the action or our feelings about it."
He also addressed questions surrounding the investigation.
"I don't know all the details or the history of what happened," Callahan said. "Nor do I know who knew what when."
Umberger's arrest came almost a year after Lake Delton police investigated reports that he trailed boys into a bathroom by a kid's pool at Noah's Ark Water Park. He denied following the boys and said prostate problems caused him to urinate frequently. No criminal charges resulted, but the park revoked Umberger's season pass and put him on a watch list.
Diocese officials said they learned of the water park incident but put no restrictions on Umberger's duties after confirming his medical condition. Umberger told state agents that the diocese's attorney and vicar for clergy counseled him after receiving a letter regarding his behavior at Noah's Ark.
Callahan said he trusts law enforcement officials to investigate Umberger.
"When they have completed their work, we in the diocese must continue to do ours to safeguard our children and to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again."
Callahan on Thursday became the 10th bishop of the La Crosse diocese, which encompasses 165 parishes across more than 15,000 square miles of Wisconsin and serves nearly 200,000 members.
He announced the appointment of the Rev. Steven Kachel as the new pastor of St. Patrick's, which has been under the direction of Deacon Frank Abnet since Umberger's arrest. Umberger has since resigned his pastorate.
Kachel, currently pastor of St. Mary's parish in Tomah, will take over Sept. 1.
Callahan said it was appropriate to make his first visit to the parish on the feast day of the Assumption, the day on which Catholics believe the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken, body and soul, into heaven.
"This feast offers us a profound and significant hope," he said. "(Mary) has a mother's way of helping her children deal with some really bad pain that sometimes we human beings inflict on one another. I hope you will allow me to share the pain with you and I hope that you will allow me to walk with you on the way to healing."
It is a GREAT gesture for Bp Callahan to visit St Pats personally. I think there was alot of people wondering if it would be one of those cases where the Church was going to pretend like nothing happened. It's too bad we did not have a bishop when all this went down. I think the people at St Pats were looking for something a little more personal than having a letter read at the end of Mass(which was done the weekend after the news broke).
Immaculate Conception in Tomah doesn't look like it has its own website other than a generic one. A friend told me that Bishop Callahan joked that he was old friends with Fr. Kachel and that being friends with the bishop means you get all the tough assignments.
Umberger's Lake Delton police report
La Crosse Tribune had a link to the Lake Delton police report in their original story. I keep missing them, I wish they could be presented in a more apparent location on the article. Or maybe its just user error... :\
I don't have any OCR software to get the text but you can view it by clicking the link above.
I don't have any OCR software to get the text but you can view it by clicking the link above.
Kroner: Wrongdoing minority leads to diminished respect for priests
The article “Diocese defends its response to Lake Delton police report” (Aug. 5 Tribune) calls for a response. When reading this criticism of the diocese, consider my background. I am not a Catholic-hater. I am a lifelong Catholic who has lived in the diocese most of my life. I attended Catholic schools for grade school, high school and my university education. I also have two children who went through catholic grade school and high school here.LaCrosseTribune
I first met the Rev. Patrick Umberger when I visited Ireland. He was among the tourists in our tour group. I am a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Onalaska where he served as pastor before he resigned. While I do not know him well, I suspect I know him as well as most people. He appeared to me to be a good man and a respected priest.
I am also an attorney, one who frequently represents people accused of committing crimes. I am familiar with, and hold in high regard, the presumption of innocence people who are accused of crimes are entitled to when the state prosecutes them. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the response from the diocese was woefully deficient.
First, let me be clear the legal presumption of innocence only applies when the state is attempting to convict someone of a crime. The law does not hold private entities or individuals to evaluate the actions of people by the same standard when making decisions in daily life. In fact, we should, and do, hold individuals who deal with what is important to us (our children, our spouses, our finances) to a much more rigorous standard every day. If we have reasonable suspicions, we do not risk what is dear to us.
We should expect the Catholic church to make decisions about priests it puts in positions of authority and trust using that same more rigorous standard, but it is clear it does not. In this situation, the diocese had plenty of reason to have reasonable suspicion.
The diocese knew its 59-year-old priest was observed repeatedly following young boys into restrooms. It knew individuals who observed that were sufficiently suspicious to bring it to the attention of security at Noah’s Ark. The diocese knew security at the park found it disturbing enough to remove the priest from the park and to revoke his season pass. The diocese knew Lake Delton police found it sufficiently disturbing to report it to the diocese.
How is it everyone else who knew of the circumstances concluded it was of great concern, and yet the diocese didn’t? A reasonable investigation by the diocese might have focused on attempting learn why a 59-year-old priest had a season pass to a water park about 90 minutes from his home and was spending his entire day by the kiddie pool area and bathroom, apparently without going in the water.
In its initial public statements responding to Umberger’s arrest, a spokesman for the diocese said the diocese took no action to restrict Umberger’s activities upon learning of the Noah’s Ark incident from the Lake Delton police because “we’ve never had a complaint about him.”
They just don’t get it.
The report to the diocese from the Lake Delton police was a complaint about him. The Lake Delton police report that was shared with the diocese is available to view at the Tribune’s website. I encourage those who wish to evaluate the response of the diocese to read the report. It is disturbing.
According to news reports, when state investigators finally interviewed Umberger about the incident at Noah’s Ark, Umberger made disturbing admissions.
He admitted being sexually attracted to young boys, to having viewed adults engaging in sexual activity on the Internet, to visiting gay chat rooms and having had anonymous sex with adult men and women on various occasions. If Umberger was so open as to make such admissions to police, how is it the diocese was not able to obtain similar admissions from Umberger during its investigation? Did they try?
The diocese, and the Catholic church hierarchy, are in denial. The priesthood is in crisis. Respect for priests is significantly diminished by the wrongdoing of a minority.
Priests are the main link between church hierarchy and its members. If the priesthood loses the respect and trust of catholics because the hierarchy is unwilling to be protective of its members, it isn’t just the church that suffers, it is the faith of its members.
There is no other way to put it. The diocese dropped the ball. We have a right to expect better of it. Own up to your mistakes. I hear confession is good for the soul.
Hindsight is 20/20. It's pretty clear to me that Umberger admitted everything because he was caught red handed, not because the police played good cop/bad cop or because of some lawyers superb interrogation skills . What should the diocese have done? Mr. Kroner doesn't answer that question. "Did they try[to get an admission out of Umberger]?" ..... We are bordering on ridiculous, how can they get an admission to charges that were not even available to them? Its stupid the diocese doesn't publish what it did do, because I know it was thorough(and not required by law). I'd recommend my post on Fr. Umberger's cancer. I think it makes a pretty strong case for health problems causing frequent urination(at that time). Again, all I can go off is what is publicly known and not be a historical revisionist. What would I have done in that situation if I had been reviewing the Umberger Dells report? Probably the same thing.
I would agree that the diocese should be more forthcoming with information. We will only see more and more people hoping to pin the blame on the diocese because it's too hard to just blame the priest who committed the crime in the first place. It would be the same thing with a cop. Did the chief know? Why didn't he fire him? Ect.
You know what is a good question? Did Fr. Umberger have these kinds of temptations while in seminary? Did the seminary director know about them? How was he instructed to handle these kinds of temptations?
Kim Seidel: How I told my kids about Fr. Pat
"What did you tell your kids?" After the devastating news came out about the Rev. Patrick Umberger - known affectionately as "Father Pat" to his hundreds of parishioners and students - that's the main question I heard parents from St. Patrick School and Church ask one another.LaCrosseTribune
For the past seven years, my two daughters have attended St. Patrick's School in Onalaska, and we have been members of St. Patrick's Church. As a professional writer and editor specializing in parenting, I have covered many tough topics, including speaking to children about bullying, divorce, illness and death.
But this has been my toughest, real-life assignment.
I didn't have time to research and to interview experts before the shocking news came out that our pastor - a man my family admired and trusted - was arrested for possession of child pornography. For about four days, our local newspaper, radio, and television stations carried the ugly news, not sparing any of us from the dirty, disturbing details that revealed additional sins beyond pornography.
What did I tell my kids? The details I shared separately with my daughters varied widely, due to the difference in their ages of 12 and 7. This was one common denominator among parents I spoke with - they considered their child's ages before they talked to them - or did not talk to them, especially if they were younger than about 4.
I spoke with my daughters within a few hours of hearing the bad news. I didn't consider hiding or waiting on it. I wanted my girls to hear information that's likely to confuse and to scare them from their own parent, from someone who loves and cares about them and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
With our radios and televisions on during most of the day, along with get-togethers with friends and trips to the local pool, the girls were bound to hear something about Father Pat. I wasn't taking any chances that they would not hear it from me first. My husband was out of town that week; I was on my own for this talk.
I wish I could write that my discussions with my daughters went smoothly. I was nervous. I felt angry and betrayed about the news, which did not make these moments easy. Children quickly sense these emotions in adults.
I told my 12-year-old, who attended the school since kindergarten and graduated this spring, that Father Pat had been arrested, accused of looking at inappropriate photos of children on his computer. She immediately stomped her foot in anger and firmly stated that she was no longer going to serve at Mass. I empathized with her anger, and then I reminded her that she did not serve for Father Pat. She grew quiet when I calmly explained that she and others served at Masses for God and our parish family.
This is the main point I keep coming back to for my family during this difficult time: Our faith does not depend on a priest. We attend weekly Mass to honor, praise and to thank God for our many blessings. Our Catholic faith is beautiful, and it's truly bigger and deeper than the mistakes made by imperfect human beings in our church.
It's very hard to explain to a 12-year-old about pornography, but I did my best, keeping my definition of the subject in the simplest of terms. At least she was hearing about it from me and not from a young friend who might have unknowingly confused my daughter even more.
Out of habit one day, I left the local newspaper on our kitchen counter. My curious tween read more than she needed to know. I addressed her concerns and gave her a big hug. After that, I've decided that my girls do not need to know all of the offensive details about Father Pat's mistakes. Papers can be recycled sooner; radios and TVs turned off more.
Though her understanding is more limited, it was just as painful to tell my 7-year-old that Father Pat left St. Pat's. She looked sad when I told her he did some wrong things on his computer. In her innocence, she asked, "Did he write swear words?" As I wished that's what he did, I simply explained to her that he is accused of looking at some photos he should not have had on his computer. She seemed satisfied with that information.
Beyond the talk of faith, we needed to act on our faith. I took the girls to St. Patrick's Church for Sunday Mass after the news broke. It was tempting to go to another church, but it was important to show my children that a parish is like a family and you don't bail out in tough times.
With the pews packed, many parishioners must have felt the same way, attending for encouragement, healing, wanting to know what's next for their church and feeling curious about what would be said or not said. (Two babies were baptized during the Mass; a perfect sign that new life continues in the Church that will never end, despite its problems here and now.) The Mass and the public acknowledgement of the situation eased some of my pain.
Coincidentally, the annual school pool party was held that Sunday night. The turnout was the highest it has been in several years. I think again it's because people needed to be together for support - to know we're in the same boat. I'm proud of the way St. Patrick's School families are handling this situation.
While my own anger has dissipated somewhat, at least for now, my sadness especially continues for the children who are shocked and surprised about the Father Pat they came to know and to love as a role model and a friend at school and church. My 12-year-old asked with pure concern about who would take care of Father Pat's two frisky cats he often shared funny stories about with the children. That type of childlike innocence is hard to shatter, and it's heart-breaking how fast it needed to come to an end with a mother-daughter talk one summer day.
Bishop Callahan's to visit Umberger's St. Pats weekend after installation
La Crosse (WQOW) - The new bishop of the La Crosse Diocese plans to make an important announcement not long after he's installed.WQOW
Bishop William Callahan will be installed as the 10th bishop of the diocese next week. He's succeeding Jerome Listecki, who's now the archbishop of Milwaukee. Bishop Callahan will begin the job with questions surrounding the leadership of a specific Catholic church.
Father Patrick Umberger has been charged with possession of child pornography. He was the priest at St. Patrick's in Onalaska. Over the weekend, parishioners were told that he has resigned.
"That is going to be the first parish I'm going to visit," said Bishop Callahan. "I will be there the weekend after my installation. That's the first place I'm going. I hope to be able to announce when I go there -- a new pastor for the parish."
News 18 will broadcast the installation of Bishop Callahan on Wednesday, August 11th on WQOW and WQOW.com beginning at 2 p.m.
Statement of the Diocese of La Crosse on the Umberger Lake Delton incident
Still out in the middle of nowhere. The fish are not cooperating. Did see some Aurora Borealis last night. Once I'm back in the saddle I'm hoping to get a copy of the police report RE Fr Umberger incident in the Dells. If you know where I can find a copy please let me know. Glad to see this was circulated by the diocesan administrator to help clear up some of this.
There is a general perception that the Diocese of La Crosse knew far more than it actually did regarding what transpired on July 22, 2009 at the water park in Lake Delton. The first and only knowledge the Diocese had of the Lake Delton matter was when it received a mailed copy of the Lake Delton Police Report consisting of five (5) pages. It was received by the Diocese seven weeks after July 22, 2009 on September 8, 2009 and it did not contain any written statements from Noah’s Ark staff, including the now widely published Noah’s Ark report of April 28, 2010 or any other additional information. No other law enforcement contact was made to the Diocese. The report states, among other things, that there were no complaints from any children and no evidence of improper activity that could amount to a crime despite Father Umberger’s complete cooperation including a consented search of his car, his person and the restroom in question. The report did not allege any interaction or suspicious activity with children in or outside the restroom. The only thing the Diocese knew at the time was that there was mere suspicion but no evidence of any crime or other wrong doing.
The Diocese specifically was not aware that Father Umberger had contact with any children or that he had been placed on any watch list by Noah’s Ark.
The report further specifically indicated that the matter was referred to the Onalaska Police Department and the Wisconsin Dells Police Department for follow-up. By policy and practice, the Diocese refers and defers to law enforcement. It steps back and waits for law enforcement to complete its investigation. There was no cover up. The information came from law enforcement. Previously, the Diocese was criticized for not referring to law enforcement and conducting its own investigation which might interfere with the police investigation. Upon receipt of the report, the Diocese immediately contacted Father Umberger and questioned him about the matter. The Diocese had no knowledge of any prior complaints. An investigation was made to verify Father Umberger’s explanation and it was confirmed. The Diocese had no knowledge of and did not learn of Father Umberger’s access to any pornography, attraction to children or other moral infractions.
Subsequently, the Diocese received no information of any conduct of a sexual nature until his arrest on July 14, 2010. Records previously requested and first produced from law enforcement on July 29, 2010 (one year and seven days after the Lake Delton incident), now reveal that law enforcement was revisiting the Lake Delton matter in April of 2010. No one contacted or alerted the Diocese to that effect.
The Diocese was shocked and saddened to learn on July 14, 2010 of Father Umberger’s arrest and charge of possession of child pornography, of his reported statements of improper attraction to children and other moral infractions.
The Diocese followed its protocols, deferred to law enforcement and acted upon the information it was provided.
Op ed from parishioner of Fr. Umberger
Most readers are likely aware of the situation affecting St. Patrick's Church in Onalaska, with the recent arrest of the Rev. Patrick Umberger, pastor. I have been a member of St. Patrick's for 32 years. I have worked as a psychotherapist in the La Crosse area for more than 25 years and have treated both sexual offenders and victims of sexual abuse.Tribune
Viewing child pornography is a very serious offense. Umberger's alleged behavior has affected a congregation. Trust is lost. From discussion with other parishioners, the question which often comes up is, "Who knew about this?" It is difficult to believe that others who worked closely with him over the years didn't have some suspicion that his behavior was inappropriate. What did the Diocese of La Crosse do after it received a letter from Lake Delton police? Why was Umberger allowed to continue as pastor at St. Pat's with no restrictions? Why weren't we as parishioners informed? Why weren't our children protected?
The Catholic Church needs to address this issue appropriately because covering it up is not the answer, either for the church or for the priesthood. Moving a priest from one parish to another is not the answer. This needs to stop. The church needs to hold men who violate accountable.
Once a priest acts sexually inappropriately with children involved, even if it happens only once, that person has crossed the line and has relinquished his right to be a spiritual advisor. I hope the Diocese of La Crosse takes charge, recognizes the seriousness of this problem, defrocks Umberger, excommunicates him and begins a process of reform. Such behavior among those who act as our spiritual leaders is indefensible. Covering it up is indefensible.
Yes, we will pray for Umberger that he receives the help he needs. I also pray that the legal system will be unbiased and not treat him more favorably because of his former position as pastor (priest). Hopefully the criminal justice system will impose sanctions on his behavior, which the Catholic Church has not done - sanctions intended to protect children and others from inappropriate sexual behavior.
This view might seem harsh, but, yes, it is my church, too. I expect my spiritual leader to be a true representation of what was intended for those called to the priesthood. He gives good priests a bad name.
There's alot of emotion out there right now. Mrs. Roellich and many like her need someone to blame. Some want to go after Umberger with torches and pitchforks. Some are afraid to say anything bad about a man of the cloth. Both Justice AND Mercy are needed here Mrs. Roellich. Fr Umberger's sins are very dirty and very bad and it is absolutely correct to be appalled by them(blessed are the sorrowful means blessed are those who rightly sorrow over sin). But to condemn a man to hell will not help him reform and reach heaven. We do not even excommunicate the worst murderers in our society(abortionists and political abortionists - at least publicly anyway although they are by the act itself). Even the dirtiest sins and dirtiest sinners can be made clean. We must pray for Fr. Umberger and ESPECIALLY pray for those children exploited in that pornography. Human trafficing is a horrific reality of the pornography industry. Let us use this opportunity to remember these helpless children whom rich pornographers kidnap and exploit to obtain something as useless as money.
Fr Umberger trial set for Oct. 19
La Crosse TribuneAn Onalaska priest accused of having three sexually graphic pictures of nearly nude children stood mute Wednesday to a felony charge filed against him.
A not guilty plea was entered on behalf [...because hewon't liealready admitted his guilt] of the Rev. Patrick Umberger, 59, to one count of possession of child pornography after a judge bound the priest over for trial when he waived his preliminary hearing in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The case is set next for an Oct. 19 status conference.
Umberger, a priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska since 2005, was arrested July 14 at the rectory when state agents said they discovered the photographs on his computer, according to the complaint.
The priest told a state agent he is sexually attracted to boys and young men and searched the Internet for pictures of boys 12 to 15 years old, the complaint stated.[Anyone know how to find the report?]
He denied ever having sexual contact with children but did admit to using a software program that regularly cleaned his computer hard drive.
Umberger, who also taught at St. Patrick School and is chaplain at Aquinas Middle School, has been removed from active ministry pending the investigation.
His arrest comes almost one year after a family and two Wisconsin Dells Noah’s Ark Water Park employees said they saw Umberger follow several young boys into a bathroom by a children’s pool area July 22, 2009, according to a Lake Delton police report.
Umberger was found standing next to a 10-year-old using a urinal and told an officer he was near the restrooms because he had prostate problems and had to urinate often, the report stated. [By the way, Umberger was there with his sister and her family, not by himself....]
Park officials revoked his season pass and placed him on a watch list. [But that doesn't explain why he had a season pass]
Umberger told state agents that La Crosse Diocese attorney Jim Birnbaum and vicar for clergy the Rev. Joe Hirsch counseled him about the incident after receiving a letter about the water park incident.
Birnbaum said previously he discussed the incident with Umberger but couldn’t recall when or who else was present at the meeting, and that no restrictions were placed on the priest after verifying his medical condition. [Does it really matter if Listecki was there or not? If Umberger lied to all of them, what else could they have done?]
The diocese issued a statement Friday saying it was “shocked and saddened” by the criminal charge.
“The diocese was not aware of any computer misuse, any attractions to boys by Father Umberger and much of what has been currently reported,” the diocese stated.
The diocese declined to elaborate or return Tribune phone calls pending the criminal case. [Legal beagles barking even though they want to]
Obviously this thing wont go to trial. I wonder what the DA wants for a sentence.
Fr Umberger pleads not-guilty
A Diocese of La Crosse priest stood mute today to a possession of child pornography felony charge filed against him during a brief hearing in La Crosse County Circuit Court.La Crosse Tribune
A not-guilty plea was entered on behalf of Patrick Umberger, 59, after he waived his preliminary hearing. The case is set for a status conference in October.
Umberger, priest at St. Patrick's Catholic Parish in Onalaska since 2005, was arrested July 15 when state agents found three sexually graphic pictures of nearly nude children on his computer, according to the complaint.
Umberger denied ever having sexual contact with children, but did admit to using a software program that regularly cleaned his computer hard drive.
The priest has been removal from active ministry pending the investigation, according to the Diocese.
Umberger preliminary hearing today
WXOWLA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Father Patrick Umberger has a preliminary hearing this morning in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The hearings are to show that prosecutors have enough evidence to support the charges.
Umberger was arrested two weeks ago after an investigation by the state's Justice Department and Onalaska Police. Umberger admitted in a criminal complaint that he had used his church owned computer to view and store pornographic images of children. Pending the outcome of the case, the Diocese of La Crosse has suspended him from duties. He was serving as pastor of St. Patrick's in Onalaska at the time of his arrest.
We will have a crew in court today and will bring you more information here on wxow.com and on our Live at Five, 6pm, and 10pm Reports.
Fr. Thomas Reese SJ wonders aloud
Nobody suspected Father Pat was anything other than the spiritual leader who took special interest in their kids' religious education. That's not uncommon in such cases, said Rev. Thomas Reese, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. [not to mention a pro-abortion Catholic]
"It's a terrible shock when this happens," Reese said. "The question people will ask is, did the diocese know?"
La Crosse Tribune article on reactions to the Fr. Umberger scandal.
All I can say is this, the accusers of the diocese(what had been known and done) will be brought to silence once the diocese goes public. I seriously question the legalistic need to not comment on this publicly. The lack of a good PR staff and the over emphasis of one lawyers opinion is dragging all the members of our diocese through the mud.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)