Sacred Heart Priest Arrested for Drunken Driving, Indecent Exposure

By Julie Walker Altesleben
Press & Guide
August 7, 2012

http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2012/08/07/news/doc5021470e82034736184835.txt

The Rev. Peter Petroske was arrested Thursday and charged with drunken driving and indecent exposure, according to reports.

Petroske is the head pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School in Dearborn. He was placed on administrative leave Monday by the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Petroske joined Sacred Heart in 2008.

Calls and emails Tuesday morning to Sacred Heart and to Petroske were not returned. The archdiocese released the following statement:

“Father Peter Petroske, pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Dearborn, was placed on administrative leave of absence on Monday.

“Over the weekend, the archdiocese learned that Father Petroske was arrested last Thursday night by Dearborn police while driving unaccompanied in his vehicle, and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and indecent exposure.

“Archdiocesan officials met with parish staff on Monday to inform them of Father Petroske’s leave of absence.

“Father Robert Blondell, a retired priest for the archdiocese, has been named temporary administrator of Sacred Heart parish and will oversee day-to-day operations at the parish.

“The archdiocese takes such matters seriously and is cooperating fully with law enforcement. This is a difficult time for the parish community, and we ask for prayers for all who are impacted.”

No details were available about the charge of indecent exposure.

Petroske is scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14 in 19th District Court before Judge Richard Wygonik. Drunken driving and indecent exposures are misdemeanors.

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Petroske was orphaned at an early age and grew up in El Paso, Texas, with his adoptive parents.

Petroske earned an undergraduate degree from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and a master of divinity degree from St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, according to a biography posted on the Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s website.

Ordained on Sept. 14, 1984, by the Most Rev. Mark Frances Schmitt, the then-bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, Petroske has worked for eight Michigan churches in his 28-year theological career. Petroske first served as an associate pastor at Parish Church of St. Anne in Escanaba.

He also has worked at St. John the Baptist in Garden, St. Anne in Cooks and St. Andrew in Nahma. Petroske became pastor at Parish Church of St. Rene Goupil in Sterling Heights in 1991, the same year he applied for membership in the Archdiocese of Detroit. He received full membership in 1994.

His next assignment put him at St. Anne Catholic Church in Warren for two years before a 14-year stay at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Southgate.

He also has taken graduate-level classes in clinical counseling and psychology.

“My life has taken me to many places and lands, and in the process I have come to experience countless people who have been a source of blessing in many ways,” Petroske is quoted as saying in the online biography.

Sacred Heart School, which offers courses for preschool children through the eighth grade, is at 22513 Garrison Ave. The church office is at 22430 Michigan Ave.