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A Boston area pastor has been relieved of his duties after allegations surfaced that he had stolen more than $200,000 to help support his gambling addiction.
Father Stephen M. Gemme of Saint Bernadette Parish in Northboro, Massachusetts has served as that congregation’s pastor for nearly 10 years. The church published the announcement on its website.
Part of the letter, written by Reverend Robert J. McManus Bishop of Worcester, reads:
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In mid July I received a letter from a member of the St. Bernadette School
Advisory Board expressing concern about expenditures in a single account in the school budget. The following day, Fr. Gemme met with me and acknowledged a gambling problem. I immediately revoked his authorization to sign checks, and we made arrangements for a medical leave of absence so that Fr. Gemme could receive professional, residential evaluation and treatment. I also directed that a review be made of the school and parish finances. Fr. Gemme has been cooperative with us during this review and remains in residential
treatment.
Last Monday I received the results of the review of parish and school finances. It
appears that during the last four years, more than $110,000 of school funds and more than $120,000 of parish funds were used by Fr. Gemme for personal expenditures unrelated to the parish or school. As a result of the magnitude of the misuse of funds, the matter has been referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
Father Gemme has offered his resignation as a pastor, and I have accepted that
resignation effective last Thursday. I am pursuing full restitution for the parish and school.
The parish serves nearly 800 families. The disgraced pastor has remains at a residential treatment facility.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
