SANDUSKY—Father David Nuss is returning to full time status as associate pastor at Sandusky St. Mary. His assignment began Dec. 13.

Bishop Leonard P. Blair announced the appointment, effective Dec. 13, 2007. Fr. Nuss served the Sandusky parish during his first pastoral assignment from 1993 to 1997.

Before making the assignment, Bishop Blair consulted with Father Philip Feltman, pastor of Saint Mary, according to a diocesan statement issued Dec. 14. The statement also notes Fr. Feltman “conferred with the lay leadership and staff of the parish and the school, who indicated their understanding and their willingness to accept Fr. Nuss and welcome him to their parish.”

Fr. Nuss did not return phone messages for comment on his new assignment.

In January 2007 Fr. Nuss reported to Bishop Blair that he had engaged in a relationship with a woman his age. At that time, Fr. Nuss told the bishop he had ended the relationship out of recognition that it was immoral and totally incompatible with his priestly commitment, according to the diocesan statement.

“Fr. Nuss expressed directly to the Bishop his deep regret and his earnest desire to live and serve as a priest,” the statement said. “He also expressed his deep sorrow for the pain his actions have caused the woman involved, his brother priests and the Catholic people.”

According to the statement, during the past six months Fr. Nuss took steps at the direction of the bishop to ensure that he is fully prepared spiritually and in every other way to resume a new assignment.