Deep Thoughts: Rev. Patrick Umberger arrested

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Rev. Patrick Umberger arrested

Patrick Umberger is a Catholic priest working at St. Patrick’s Parish in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Umberger is suspected of possessing child pornography and may have been stalking children.

A family and two Noah’s Ark Water Park employees reported seeing Umberger repeatedly follow boys into the bathroom near a children’s pool area, according to the Lake Delton police report.

Umberger was found standing next to a 10-year-old using a urinal, the report stated. Umberger denied intentionally following the boys and told an officer he had prostate problems and had to urinate often, according to the DOJ report.

And he’s a pedophile.

Umberger told a state agent Wednesday he is sexually attracted to boys and young men and searched the Internet for pictures of boys 12 to 15 years old, according to the complaint.

Of course, the faithful are shocked.

“Everyone I talked to that is a member there is shocked,” said a church member who asked not to be named. “I mean, he’s our priest.”

So, because he’s “our priest” that makes his somehow incapable of committing horrible crimes against children? Wake up sheeple.

Technorati Tags: Catholics,Clergy Sexual Abuse,Pedophiles

Comments (9)

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Dromedary Hump · 772 weeks ago

Obviously a conspiracy by the water park employees , the state agent, and anyone else who accuses this perv priest of being a pedophile.
Obviously once he's cleared he's going to sue the pants off everyone and win for defamation.

Sheesh.. where are his theist defenders? Do I have to do this all by myself? ; )

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Mojoey 107p · 772 weeks ago

Give them a few hours.

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DTT · 772 weeks ago

Umberger was a priest at St. Bronislava's in Plover, Wis. where I've been a member since my own baptism. He was a good priest. He was kind and helped a lot of people through many difficult times in their spiritual lives.

No, that does not make him incapable of this, but it is shocking to a congregation to learn of this. It's like a betrayal. A breech of trust. You think you know someone and then learn this. You can't call us sheep for trusting someone based on how he "appeared" to be. That's uncalled for.

The truth is out, and we pray that he gets the help he needs and that the church will start taking action against all the priests who have committed unspeakable crimes. Enough is enough.

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Deeper Thinking · 770 weeks ago

Why isn't there more talk of prayer for these children that are forced into these horrible acts. Many of whom are tortured and being taken advantage of. It is people like Umberger that keeps this sick cycle going. The children need many prayers and support. I think Umberger is getting his fair share!

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akl · 758 weeks ago

The publicizing of all this crap is uncalled for. Fr. Pat has been a decent person and priest. I have had emails from him that are decent. The man is Innocent until proven guilty. I think we need to pray for him, as well is for the children. Perhaps he is being set up. Prayers are important in any case, and maybe counseling. He has gone through some suffering of his own.

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Mojoey 107p · 758 weeks ago

I could not disagree more. Umberger is a self admitted pedophile. He arrest requires full transparency.

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lifelong WI-ite · 758 weeks ago

How is Fr. Pat no longer a threat? I thought he was out on bail?
The world of sex trafficking, and specifically child trafficking, is barely covered by the media. Who are the children in the images found on this priest's computer? He should also be punished for creating a demand for children to be manipulated (given alcohol, drugs, money, a home for the homeless, food, etc.) to be forced and/or coerced into thess acts. This is not an allegation; police found the images on his personal computer. WAKE UP! Set up? Denial of this priests evils doesn't make you a bad Catholic; turning a blind eye to his evil does.

And to DTT - your struggle is evident in your post. There are those of us who recognize the pain of betrayl felt when someone you trust is revealed to be someone other than the person they portrayed themselves to be. Pray or don't pray - the choice is yours; no one should pass judgement on how each of us copes with the trials we experience in our lives.

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Neuf · 752 weeks ago

Fr Pat died this Tuesday after a years long battle with cancer. He was my pastor, and my friend and I mourn him in death. When time and conditions caught up with him he denied nothing and took total responsibility for his actions. As shocking as the accusations were I prayed for him daily. I know personally that he brought my family closer to our faith and the Church and that he did the same for countless others through his comforting presence and his online ministry. I know the naysayers and haters will protest this, and I will pray for them too. Judge lest ye not be judged.

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Mojoey 107p · 752 weeks ago

I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for posting.

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