OK, this just makes me sick!!!

Jim O · #1 (**permalink**) September 28th, 2006, 06:56 PM

Cops: Priests fleeced Florida flock of millions

DELRAY BEACH, Florida (AP) -- Two Roman Catholic priests stole millions in offerings and gifts made to their parish as far back as 40 years ago, prosecutors said Thursday.

Monsignor John Skehan, who was pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church for four decades, was arrested Wednesday night on charges that he stole $8.6 million from the church, using the money to buy property and other assets, investigators said.

The 79-year-old priest was arrested at Palm Beach International Airport as he returned from Ireland and was being held on $400,000 bond on grand theft charges.

The Rev. Francis Guinan, who succeeded Skehan three years ago, has disappeared and was being sought, city police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said. He is alleged to have stolen an unspecified amount of money to take gambling trips to Las Vegas and the Bahamas.

An anonymous tip in June 2005 led police and the church to launch the investigation.

A spokeswoman with the Diocese of Palm Beach did not immediately return calls seeking comment. It could not be immediately determined if Skehan has an attorney.

Source: CNN.com

Tom Houlihan · #2 (**permalink**) September 28th, 2006, 08:36 PM

And people wonder why the Catholic Church is losing respect in the world.

I guess it's not as bad as molesting little boys, though.

Klaus · #3 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2006, 03:57 AM

You are right there. At least they are treated as anybody else. In Austria they can molest children an nothing happens to these bastards.

robert · #4 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2006, 04:44 PM

Whats the world coming to , at one time you could trust a man of the cloth , it makes you wonder who you can trust!!!

Sarge · #5 (**permalink**) September 30th, 2006, 10:53 AM

Human beings will act just like human beings I'm afraid, no matter what their profession or calling there is good and bad in everyone.

Jim O · #6 (**permalink**) September 30th, 2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge

Human beings will act just like human beings I'm afraid, no matter what their profession or calling there is good and bad in everyone.

This is very true. But they let him get away with it for over 40 years.

Klaus · #7 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2006, 05:09 AM

This was even in our newspapers.

Lancer44 · #8 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2006, 07:38 AM

Things are beginning to change even in country as catholic as Poland.
Few month ago I read story about priest which started to collect money "for renovation of the church roof". When all parishioners, mostly farmers contributed, one day they had seen new BMW - he changed his mind and bought the car instead...
Parishioners formed commitee and sued priest. He get 2 years.
Very good!

Cheers,

Lancer44

Jim O · #9 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klaus

You are right there. At least they are treated as anybody else. In Austria they can molest children an nothing happens to these bastards.

Well they got away with this for decades in the US as well. In some diocese they were simply shifted from parish to parish.

Klaus · #10 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2006, 08:04 AM

Same here in Austria. If you are a priest, cardinal or what so ever, molesting a child is something you can do without getting punished. After all they are gods representatives on earth (at least that's what they claim). So putting one of those f**** behind bars spells eternal doom on everybody. Yep, that's a religion and a state I can really relate to.

PS: Before someone thinks: "This guy hates roman catholics". I am roman catholic myself. So I have earned the right to make sarcastic remarks about my religion.