Detroit — Fr. Gary Schulte was placed on an administrative leave of absence by the Archdiocese of Detroit, effective last Friday, Oct. 28, and is currently restricted from any public ministry, in accordance with Church policy in cases of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Fr. Schulte, 66, has served as pastor of St. Sylvester Parish in Warren since 1994.

The archdiocese announced last Sunday, Oct. 30, that in September an allegation of sexual misconduct with a person under the age of 18 involving Fr. Schulte, dating back to the early years of his ministry, in the Detroit Archdiocese, was received by the victim assistance coordinator.

Subsequently, the complaint was reported to civil authorities and considered by the chair of the Archdiocesan Review Board and Archbishop Allen Vigneron’s lead advisors on such matters.

An initial investigation found the complaint to be of sufficient substance to require restrictions on Fr. Schulte’s service as a priest, that is, he is not allowed to publicly celebrate Mass or sacraments, nor is he allowed to present himself publicly as a priest.

Fr. Thomas Sutherland, a senior (retired) priest of the archdioces, will serve as temporary administrator of St. Sylvester Parish.

Fr. Schulte attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit; St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township, and the University of Detroit. He was ordained in 1972.

His appointments were as associate pastor of Guardian Angels Parish, Clawson (1972); associate pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Beverly Hills (1973); chaplain, Macomb County Community College, Warren (1975); associate pastor, National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak (1980); pastor, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Madison Heights (1983); and pastor, St. Sylvester Parish, Warren (1994).

Information on archdiocesan policies and procedures regarding these matters, are available at www.aodonline.org/SafeEnvironments.

To inform the archdiocese of complaints involving sexual abuse of minors by clergy or Church personnel and/or to speak to the victim assistance coordinator, contact (866) 343-8055.