By Christopher Burbach
World-Herald
October 2, 2007
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10147632
The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell will return to work as an Omaha parish priest Thursday, six months after he admitted in court to stealing $125,000 from his former parish.
Archbishop Elden Curtiss has assigned Gutgsell to be associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Parishioners were notified Sunday in a letter from the parish's administrator, the Rev. Craig Loecker, who also is pastor of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.
Gutgsell will live in the Blessed Sacrament rectory and assist with the sacramental and spiritual needs of the parish. Loecker will have responsibility for all parish business matters, "including all the aspects of parish finances," the letter said.
Gutgsell is on probation for stealing $125,000 from St. Patrick Catholic Church in south Omaha. He had been pastor at St. Patrick from 2001 until February of this year, when he resigned after the Omaha Archdiocese went to police with the results of an internal audit of the parish's finances.
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| The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, left, walks into court Feb. 16. At right is his attorney, James Schaefer. |
Gutgsell eventually pleaded guilty to felony theft by deception. A judge sentenced him in April to five years' probation and ordered him to pay restitution.
Gutgsell had said at the time of his sentencing that he was a compulsive spender and planned to undergo counseling at a Canadian clinic for his habits.
On Monday, the archdiocese released a statement from Gutgsell that said he is grateful for the opportunity to return to parish life as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament. Gutgsell grew up in the parish, which is based at 30th Street and Curtis Avenue.
"I look forward to working with Father Craig Loecker to serve the sacramental and spiritual needs of the parish community," the statement said.
In an interview Monday, an archdiocesan official said Gutgsell has completed treatment, and church officials, after careful planning and examination, were confident about Gutgsell's return to parish work.
"He has learned the skills that he needs to make sure that this (the theft) doesn't happen again," said the Rev. Joseph Taphorn, Archdiocese of Omaha chancellor.
He said Gutgsell will have no access to Blessed Sacrament finances. Financial controls and oversight will provide further accountability and safeguards, as will the terms of Gutgsell's probation, Taphorn said.
The appointment means Blessed Sacrament parishioners won't face the reduction in services that they expected after their longtime pastor, the Rev. Edgar Wortmann, died Aug. 31. Gutgsell will say daily Masses at 8 a.m., the parish's traditional time. Blessed Sacrament's Sunday Mass schedule will remain the same.
Larry Ziska, a bank chief financial officer who is chairman of Blessed Sacrament's finance committee, called the appointment of Gutgsell as associate pastor a great move.
"I'm thrilled to death," Ziska said. "Monsignor Wortmann worked so hard for 35 years to continue educating children in the neighborhood. This, bringing Father Gutgsell in, is a great way to continue (Wortmann's) legacy.
"I'm hopeful that most of the parishioners will welcome him with open arms," Ziska said.
Among his duties, Gutgsell will be involved in the parish school.
Sue Moser, the parish business manager and former school principal, said Gutgsell still can be a positive role model for students.
"Father Gutgsell admitted his wrongdoing and sought forgiveness, and that's what we teach kids," she said. "We've had people talk about what a good man he was — he is. I know that good man is still in there and can teach the children about the word of God."
Ziska said he is not worried about the safety of parish money.
"We've got good enough controls and a number of eyes looking over everything," Ziska said. "That's not a concern to me at all."
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