Diocese: St. Bernard bookkeeper no longer on staff – The Anna Maria Islander

The Diocese of Venice said April 17 that Robert Gase was no longer employed as St. Bernard Catholic Church’s bookkeeper.

The diocese also defended a decision to issue a trespass warning to parishioner John A. Di Masi that had been signed by Gase.

Karen Schwarz, diocese director of communications, wrote April 17, “I can confirm that Mr. Gase is no longer employed at the parish.”

The diocese declined to state whether Gase, assigned part-time to the Holmes Beach church in March 2024, resigned or was terminated or whether his departure was linked to Di Masi’s trespass.

The action was taken following a letter from Islander publisher Bonner Joy to leadership at the diocese outlining Gase’s assertive behavior — repeatedly snapping close-up photos and displaying a holstered handgun — at an Easter service at the Manatee Public Beach. The encounter was witnessed by Holmes Beach Chief of Police Bill Tokajer.

Gase’s departure follows a late March announcement by the diocese of the March 24 retirement of the Rev. Phillip Schweda, who was administrator at St. Bernard for about four years.

Addressing the trespass for Di Masi, the diocese said the parish acted on concerns about safety.

Before Mass on March 14, Di Masi was issued a trespass warning that alleged he had been disruptive and aggressive.

Schwarz wrote, “The parish must act when concerns are voiced that other parishioners or employees feel unsafe, which was the case here, on multiple occasions.

“A standard code of conduct is expected, and if not followed, protocols can include a trespass warning if deemed necessary by the employee(s) involved. Again, that was the case here.”

Di Masi denies having been disruptive. He has said he was removed after asking church officials about parish finances, requesting to attend a financial council meeting, inquiring about budgeting practices and for calling out a lack of financial transparency and violations of the Catholic church’s Canon Law.…Read more by Robert Anderson