Administrator Named at Cathedral Parish after Pastor Placed on Leave

By Doug Weller
Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
May 6, 2012

salinadiocese.org/the-register/2146-administrator-named-at-cathedral-parish-after-pastor-placed-on-leave

Salina — Bishop-elect Edward Weisenburger celebrated all of the weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Cathedral and took the opportunity to talk to parishioners about their pastor, Father Allen Scheer, who has been placed on administrative leave.

Father Scheer, 49, was charged April 18 with a misdemeanor count of inappropriate sexual contact with an adult man in Salina.

He pleaded not guilty April 20 in Saline County District Court and requested a jury trial, which was set for 9 a.m. Aug. 15.

Father Randall Weber, who is moderator of the diocesan curia, was named temporary administrator of the cathedral parish after Father Scheer was placed on leave, in accord with standard diocesan policies.

Bishop-elect Weisenburger said he found the cathedral parishioners strongly encouraging and supportive of Father Scheer. The bishop-elect noted in his homily "that we need to recall that this is an allegation and that the Diocese of Salina always follows appropriate procedure when an allegation is brought against a Church minister, employee or volunteer."

The bishop-elect stressed that the diocese will cooperate fully with the investigation, which is in process, and that it will take time for the facts to emerge fully.

Bishop-elect Weisenburger closed his remarks by noting that the most important thing people can do is "to say a prayer for Father Scheer, say a prayer for his accuser, and say a prayer for the Church."