Father Joe Bernardo has been suspended after being placed on administrative leave in recent months, according to a release shared with Pius X members on Tuesday.
Bernardo, who’s worked with the school for several years, took a sabbatical and sought inpatient counseling late last year.
The Diocese of Lincoln said that during his sessions with a therapist, Bernardo self-reported several incidents of sexual misconduct.
The priest told his therapist that he had intentionally rubbed up against one or more male students at Pius X, according to the release.
Church officials said the incidents likely happened off school grounds and may have seemed unintentional to a victim.
Bernardo also divulged instances where he had taken photos of students in public places without their consent. He also said he had taken photos of others in the locker rooms of public gyms unaffiliated with the school, the release showed.
The therapist reported the allegations to the Diocese of Lincoln, and Bernardo was subsequently suspended from his position.
The Lincoln Police Department has since begun an investigation into the self-reported allegations, and the Diocese of Lincoln said it is cooperating with authorities.
10/11 News has reached out to the Diocese of Lincoln for comment on Bernardo’s suspension, but organization said it had no further remarks.
In the release, Rev. Thomas Brouillette emphasized that Bernardo’s termination was unrelated to administrative changes made at the school around the time his sabbatical began.
No criminal charges have been filed against Bernardo as of Tuesday, and an arrest has not been made.