Where is Pelotte?
Some say bishop has been transferred to Florida hospital

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

Bishop Donald E. Pelotte

GALLUP — When it comes to the subject of Bishop Donald E. Pelotte of the Diocese of Gallup, questions about his medical condition are in abundance while answers are in short supply.

The latest question is: Where is the Roman Catholic bishop?

According to an official statement by chancery officials, posted on the diocese’s Web site on Monday, Pelotte is continuing to receive treatment at Memorial Hermann/TIRR in Houston.

After initially being treated at the emergency room of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup on Monday, July 23, Pelotte was flown to Arizona’s John C. Lincoln Hospital, which has one of the top trauma centers in Phoenix. Then on Aug. 8 he was transferred to the Houston facility. At the time of the transfer, chancery officials said it was because Pelotte, who is suffering from traumatic brain injury, could be near his twin brother, Dana Pelotte, a Catholic priest in Houston, he could also be near his religious community of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and because of Memorial Hermann/TIRR’s excellent care and rehabilitation services.

The Web site statement says Pelotte continues to undergo aggressive treatment for his injuries, he is responding to treatment, but will be in need of ongoing care for some time, and will be absent from the diocese for “an indefinite period of time.”

But according to two parishioners from Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, who talked separately with the Independent late Tuesday evening, an announcement was made during last weekend’s Mass that Pelotte was being transferred to a new hospital in Florida. The parishioners said the announcement was made by the Rev. Lawrence J. O’Keefe, the rector at Sacred Heart, who reportedly said Dana Pelotte is moving his brother because the Florida hospital has out-patient rehabilitation facilities that the bishop may be able to use in the future.

The Independent has not had the opportunity to attempt to verify the accuracy of Pelotte’s reported transfer to Florida.

Reporter Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola can be contacted at (505) 863-6811 ext. 218 or ehardinburrola@yahoo.com.