Tosa priest removed from duties as police investigation launched

WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- Wauwatosa police are investigating a priest who serves at Tosa's St. Pius X parish and Mother of Good Counsel parish -- for alleged inappropriate behavior.

The Milwaukee Archdiocese says on March 27th, it received information that a teacher at Wauwatosa Catholic School had observed some behavior she believed to be questionable or inappropriate with a student by Father Robert Marsicek -- a Salvatorian priest.

Following this report, Wauwatosa police launched an investigation.

Additionally, the Provincial of the Salvatorians, Father Joe Rodrigues was notified, and made the decision to remove Father Marsicek from his parish/pastoral duties effective immediately. Rodrigues has also restricted Father Marsicek's exercise of any public ministry.

The Wauwatosa Police Department says the investigation into this report is ongoing, and says all parties contacted thus far are cooperating with the investigation.

Eugene Michna says he has been a St. Pius parishioner for 20 years.

"(Father Marsicek) is probably one of the best pastors I've ever been associated with in all the churches I've ever been in. Total disbelief. Allegations can be made against anyone. With his track record, he should be given the benefit of the doubt," Michna said.