NORTHBORO (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
By Shaun Sutner, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
ssutner@telegram.com
NORTHBORO — The Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish, has been removed by Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Worcester Catholic Diocese for allegedly embezzling more than $230,000, in part to fuel a gambling problem.
Rev. Gemme, 44, has been in “residential treatment” since the thefts were uncovered in mid-July, according to a letter from the bishop posted on the parish website Saturday.
In the letter, the bishop said he was informed in July by a member of the parish school’s advisory board about expenditures in an account in the school budget.
Bishop McManus said he met with the priest the next day, when Rev. Gemme acknowledged a gambling problem.
“I immediately revoked his authorization to sign checks, and we made arrangements for a medical leave of absence so Fr. Gemme could receive professional, residential evaluation and treatment,” the bishop wrote.
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