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Update on the St. Dunstan Situation…
In response to questions and concerns raised by some members of St. Dunstan Parish, Garden City, Michigan, Ned McGrath, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Detroit, issues the following statement regarding the current situation:
"It is worth repeating that the financial audit of St. Dunstan by the Detroit archdiocese discovered an apparent pattern of embezzlement of parish funds by a former office employee. The figure reported to authorities is in the tens of thousands, in the vicinity of six figures. Additionally, there were five-years of unpaid federal payroll taxes. It's believed these funds were used for parish operating expenses; they were not embezzled. The unpaid tax liability for the parish, including projected interest and penalties, is $1.4 million.
"During the course of the audit, officials of the archdiocese also became aware of issues relating specifically to Fr. Donald Demmer, who has resigned as pastor. In addition to his failure to follow archdiocesan financial policy, these matters included problem gambling, advancing parish funds to himself, and questions concerning his personal conduct.
"As Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss has told parishioners, what the St. Dunstan community needs now is healing. He has asked them for their cooperation and collaboration to address and overcome this challenging situation. And, the bishop has urged prayers for all those involved: the entire parish community, office staff, parish employees, and Fr. Demmer.
"The archdiocese is cooperating fully with the criminal investigation now under way by the Garden City Police Department."
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