BishopAccountability.org
	Statement of the Diocese Lake Delton Matter Roman Catholic Diocese of LaCrosse August 6, 2010 http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/files/0803%20Diocese%20of%20La%20Crosse%20Statement.pdf [Statement Of The Diocese Lake Delton Matter] There is a general perception that the Diocese of La Crosse knew far more than it actually did regarding what transpired on July 22, 2009 at the water park in Lake Delton. The first and only knowledge the Diocese had of the Lake Delton matter was when it received a mailed copy of the Lake Delton Police Report consisting of five (5) pages. It was received by the Diocese seven weeks after July 22, 2009 on September 8, 2009 and it did not contain any written statements from Noah’s Ark staff, including the now widely published Noah’s Ark report of April 28, 2010 or any other additional information. No other law enforcement contact was made to the Diocese. The report states, among other things, that there were no complaints from any children and no evidence of improper activity that could amount to a crime despite Father Umberger’s complete cooperation including a consented search of his car, his person and the restroom in question. The report did not allege any interaction or suspicious activity with children in or outside the restroom. The only thing the Diocese knew at the time was that there was mere suspicion but no evidence of any crime or other wrong doing. The Diocese specifically was not aware that Father Umberger had contact with any children or that he had been placed on any watch list by Noah’s Ark. The report further specifically indicated that the matter was referred to the Onalaska Police Department and the Wisconsin Dells Police Department for follow-up. By policy and practice, the Diocese refers and defers to law enforcement. It steps back and waits for law enforcement to complete its investigation. There was no cover up. The information came from law enforcement. Previously, the Diocese was criticized for not referring to law enforcement and conducting its own investigation which might interfere with the police investigation.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.