HASTINGS – August 10, 2018

A priest from Nebraska has been place on the administrative leave after allegedly inappropriate sexual behavior with adult woman, local media reports.

The reverend Scott Courtney has been relieved of his duties as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Roseland and Assumption Parish north of Roseland and his work as a Religious-ed instructor for seventh-graders and freshmen at St. Cecilia Middle and Hastings High Schools pending investigation by law enforcement and the Diocese of Lincoln. A spokesman for the diocese revealed the information in a statement released Saturday on both the diocesan web page and by email to all diocesan priests, school administrators, faculty, staff, and parents at Hastings Catholic Schools, along with parishioners of Sacred Heart and Assumption.

The allegation does not involve a current or former parishioner of Courtney’s, and no conclusion about his guilt or innocence has been reached, the release said.

“The thing that’s important to keep in context is that he went to see the bishop,” said the Reverend Thomas Brouillette, chief administrative officer at Hastings Catholic Schools. “He was struggling with some things, a personal relationship struggle, and wanted to make things right with his neighbor and with God. It is important to know that the relationship was not with any current or former parishioner of Father Courtney’s. It doesn’t make it right; it’s just good to know. I’ve been in contact with Father Courtney, and he’s certainly disappointed in himself. He’s also owning his part in this.”

Courtney was ordained a priest in 2000 and was assigned to St. Teresa’s Parish in Lincoln through 2002. He served as assistant pastor at St. Michael’s Parish in Hastings from 2002-05 before returning to Lincoln to serve at North American Martyrs Church.