He Admits He Has Gambling Problem
By Gina Damron
Detroit Free Press
March 30, 2008
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/NEWS02/803300583
For the first time in months, the former priest of Garden City's St. Dunstan Catholic Church stood in front of his parishioners Saturday and led them in a prayer at the end of an emotionally charged town hall meeting in Livonia.
"I'm not ashamed with anything I've done," said the Rev. Donald Demmer, who was criticized by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy after being accused of running up gambling debts and taking trips with personal donations parishioners gave him.
Demmer was not charged because there was insufficient evidence. The church's former secretary, Debra Ann Kilyanek, 54, of Garden City, however, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $100,000 from St. Dunstan. She's awaiting sentencing.
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| The Rev. Donald Demmer |
Demmer said Saturday that the Archdiocese of Detroit asked him to step down, but he later rescinded his resignation. He also admitted to having a gambling addiction but denied allegations that he used donations to pay for Internet pornography. He said the material was bought by a friend, who he had lent his credit card.
"I've never done anything illegal or immoral," he said to about 600 parishioners.
His supporters said they've made phone calls and sent hundreds of letters to the archdiocese asking that Demmer be reinstated. Their pleas, many said, have gone unanswered.
Armand Matte Jr., 53, of Dearborn Heights said St. Dunstan parishioners should stop giving money to the church in protest.
Tom Morgan, 55, a member of St. Dunstan, disagreed. He said they need to support the church and Demmer.
"If there's no parish," the Dearborn Heights resident said, "we have no place for father to come back to."
Many at the meeting Saturday were still angered by Worthy's December news conference. Portia Roberson, a defense lawyer running for Wayne County prosecutor, said she thinks Demmer was slandered.
"When you find there is no criminal behavior, you don't slam the person," Roberson said.
Ned McGrath, spokesman for the archdiocese, released a statement Saturday that said: "Considering Father Demmer's current status and his oft-stated fondness for his former parishioners, it's difficult to understand how Saturday's event helps him or those laypeople dedicated to rebuilding and reenergizing the St. Dunstan community."
Demmer now says mass at St. Colette Parish in Livonia.
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