Spitz: When Parishes Closed, Accused Priest 'Was There for Us'

By Julia Spitz
The Metrowest Daily News
October 15, 2013

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x1155178098/SPITZ-When-parishes-closed-accused-priest-was-there-for-us

"Distressing,'' "tragic'' and "serious breach of trust'' were among the words Worcester's Bishop Robert McManus used in connection with the $230,000 St. Bernadette's pastor allegedly stole.

Apt words indeed.

It's distressing to once again learn religious leaders are capable of doing bad things. It's tragic to think of sacrifices parishioners may have made to donate money now missing.

But it was the broken trust part that first came to mind when I heard about the allegations against the Rev. Stephen Gemme.

After all, it was Gemme who helped nurture a renewed sense of trust after trust was broken in a different way in 2004.

When the Archdiocese of Boston abruptly closed the St. Mary and St. Ann parishes in Marlborough, hundreds of worshipers felt betrayed by the church's handling of the situation.

Some said they would give up going to church altogether, but most eventually found new spiritual homes.

Close to 400 families chose St. Bernadette's in the months after the Marlborough parishes' demise. Among them was Ted Rabidou, a longtime St. Ann parishioner whose grandparents helped build the Marlborough church, and who often served as a parish spokesman during the tense weeks leading up to the last Mass at St. Ann's.

"He stepped up,'' Rabidou said of Gemme. "He made everyone feel welcome. He was there for us.''

Rabidou said Monday he "was in shock at the end of Mass'' last weekend, when McManus' letter saying Gemme had "acknowledged a gambling problem,'' and it appeared the money was used by Gemme "for personal expenditures,'' was read to the congregation.

Still, "I can never say anything bad about Father Steve,'' said Rabidou. "He's like a brother to us.

"I'm upset, but I'm not mad.''

In his letter to parishioners, McManus reflected some of Rabidou's reaction: "Even in light of this serious breach of trust, we must remember that Fr. Gemme has done much good for many of you and your families ... I also ask that you pray for Fr. Gemme and for all who struggle with gambling addictions.''

"People make mistakes,'' said Rabidou. "You've got to move on.''