Priest Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Click on Detroit, October 30, 2011

Priest Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Click on Detroit
October 30, 2011

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/29631513/detail.html

Father Gary Schulte

WARREN, Mich. -- The Archdiocese of Detroit placed one of its priests on a leave of absence after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

Father Gary Schulte, 68, was the pastor at St. Sylvester Parish in Warren. On Friday, Schulte was placed on administrative leave and was restricted from celebrating mass or presenting himself as a priest in public.

"I can't believe it, it doesn't seem possible," said a man who asked not to be identified.

"He's just very kind, very loving, and very considerate. There doesn't seem to be a mean bone in his body. It's just unbelievable," said a woman who asked not to be identified.

The archdiocese said an allegation of sexual misconduct with a person under the age of 18 was made against Schulte in September. The archdiocese said the allegation dated back to Schulte's early years as a priest.

"The sad thing is now his reputation is besmeared, so no matter what happens, no matter what comes out of it, no matter how innocent he is, he's always going to be under suspicion," said a woman who asked not to be identified.

The archdiocese told Local 4 they have submitted a report not only to police, but the prosecutor's office as well.

Schulte was ordained in 1972. He became the pastor at St. Sylvester in 1994.