Suspect Charged in Shooting of Priest

A man recently dropped from training to become a Franciscan brother was charged Monday in the slaying of a Roman Catholic priest who was shot to death and burned in a rectory fire, police said.

Daniel Montgomery, 37, had been training to be an assistant at the priest’s parish but not to conduct religious rites. He was charged with murder and arson, Police Chief Edward Lohn said.

Officials have not given a motive for the killing of Father William Gulas, 68, priest of St. Stanislaus Church nine years.

Montgomery was in the seventh year of an internship to become a Franciscan brother when the order’s head of training traveled from Chicago last week to tell him he was being fired, said Father Thomas Luczak, an official with the Franciscans.

Montgomery had been transferred from Chicago to St. Stanislaus this summer. Gulas reported on Montgomery’s performance but did not conduct or discuss a review with him, Luczak said. He also said it was clear Montgomery was not suited to be a brother, but did not give specifics.

Gulas was shot once in the chest and struck on the head Saturday before the fire was set, the coroner said. His body was found in his first-floor office.

Montgomery had spoken with television reporters Saturday as authorities removed Gulas’ body from St. Stanislaus.

“The flames were that high, I could not do anything,” Montgomery, who was comforting parishioners outside, told the media.

“I couldn’t hear him. He was probably overcome by the flames by the time I got there.”

“He was doing a variety of tasks -- elementary, fundamental tasks -- housekeeping to helping out at the parish house,” Franciscan spokesman Ned Whelan said.

The fire caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the church, which was dedicated in 1891 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.