WISCONSIN
LaCrosse Tribune
The Diocese of La Crosse has barred Monsignor Bernard McGarty from public ministry while it investigates his being fined for disorderly conduct at a massage salon in Wausau, Wis., Thursday.
McGarty, an 89-year-old retired priest, was not arrested but was issued a $250 ticket after he was accused of lifting the covering off of his groin during a massage and asked the masseuse to rub his genitals.
The massage therapist refused and left the room, she told Wausau police. McGarty also called her a derogatory name, she told police.
On Monday, the diocese issued a statement saying, in part, “We are saddened to learn of a recent situation involving Msgr. Bernard McGarty. … According to diocesan policy as stated in the pastoral letter On Sexual Misconduct for the Diocese of La Crosse, Msgr. McGarty, from this moment forward, is not to have any public ministry while this current situation is investigated.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.