By Robin Erb
Toledo Blade
July 23, 2007
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070723/NEWS18/70723002
A Toledo priest who was to take over St. Rose Parish in Perrysburg — but then abruptly stepped away from the new post — has been placed on a sabbatical after a "consensual but inappropriate" relationship with a woman, the Toledo diocese said.
The Rev. David Nuss alerted the diocese in January about the relationship and has "expressed his sincere sorrow" for his actions, according to a release yesterday by the diocesan office.
But just why the diocese revealed the information yesterday is baffling and frustrating, said Joan Foster, a longtime St. Rose parishioner.
Bishop Leonard Blair "knew this in January and now he pretends this is brand new news? Aren't we Christians? Isn't truth one of our most important things?" she asked.
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According to an e-mail sent by an advocate of the woman in the relationship, the woman's husband died and Father Nuss had celebrated the man's funeral Mass, said Ms. Foster, who with several other parishioners confronted the bishop July 2 about the e-mail, she said.
"This is not a relationship between people on equal footing," she said.
Claudia Vercellotti, local coordinator of SNAP — the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests — earlier had been contacted by the advocate for the woman and said she also "tried to get answers" from the bishop about his plans for the priest.
"Shame on the bishop," she said. "He owes the community answers."
Sally Oberski, diocesan spokesman, did not return calls for comment last night. Father Nuss could not be reached for comment.
It's the latest chapter in a painful recent history for St. Rose. Earlier this year, the Rev. Thomas Leyland, who had been pastor of the 8,100-member parish since 1999, said he was forced to retire after publicly criticizing the way the diocese had been sliced up.
In April, the diocese announced that Father Nuss would replace Father Leyland on July 2.
The diocese statement yesterday confirmed that three members from St. Rose parish confronted Bishop Blair July 2 with a private e-mail and a letter from SNAP. The statement said the diocese had never seen the e-mail or the letter until that date.
On July 3, Father Nuss told the diocese he had decided not to take the post at the church, according to the diocese.
"In light of all that happened at St. Rose Parish regarding the appointment of a new pastor, it would have not been right to subject the parishioners to further controversy at this time," according to yesterday's news release.
Contact Robin Erb at: robinerb@theblade.com or 419-724-6133.
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