MILWAUAKEE (WI)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

July 7, 2012

A prominent Catholic priest who co-founded Milwaukee’s House of Peace and has long ministered to members of the African-American community has retired, in part because of inappropriate behavior involving a minor 30 years ago, his religious order said Friday.

Father Matthew Gottschalk, 85, who was working at the House of Peace when the allegation arose this year, acknowledged the behavior was inappropriate, said Amy Peterson, who handles sex abuse cases for the Detroit-based Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph.

She said the incident did not rise to the level of a crime, according to an investigation by the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office, and that it was not solely the reason for Gottschalk’s retirement. Other factors, including his age, health and the recent loss of his driver’s license, also were considered, she said.

“But…