WAUSAU, Wis. (WKBT) - Reverend Monsignor Bernard O. McGarty with the Diocese of La Crosse was cited for disorderly conduct for an incident at a salon in Wausau Thursday afternoon.WKBT(with news video)
According to the citation from the Wausau Police Department, McGarty, 89, was getting a massage at about 3:45 p.m. The massage therapist was rubbing his leg when he lifted up the blanket around his groin area and told her to rub oil on his genitals.
The citation stated that the massage therapist said no and then ran out of the room. She told Wausau police McGarty then yelled an obscenity after her.
"I think it's unfortunate that someone that represents the Catholic Church and arrives discussing the fact they're a priest in the Catholic Church and dressed in the robes of a Catholic priest would behave in that manner," said Lt. Matt Barnes from the Wausau Police Department.
McGarty admitted to police he did tell the massage therapist to rub oil on his genitals. McGarty also told police he was in town for a funeral and was heading back to La Crosse Thursday night.
On Monday, December 15, the Diocese of La Crosse released the following statement:
"We are saddened to learn of a recent situation involving Msgr. Bernard McGarty, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse. According to diocesan policy as stated in the pastoral letter On Sexual Misconduct for the Diocese of La Crosse, Msgr. McGarty, from this moment forward, is not to have any public ministry while this current situation is investigated."
I'm not looking to make excuses here, but it is well known fact that Msgr. McGarty has struggled mentally in his old age.
1 comment:
This sounds like something out of a screwball comedy.
I have to agree with you - I think this may be age related dementia or something - it isn't unheard of among the elderly. In the monastery there was a very old monk who left the infirmary, went into the guesthouse naked and chased a visitor. He obviously had some form of dementia.
If there has been talk the elderly Monsignor has had some age related mental problems this has to be related to that.
I hope he is cared for.
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