One of the clerical fraudsters, Father Walter Benz, stole 1.3 million bucks between 1972 and 1998. That was serious money way back then. But he avoided earthly justice as he was at death's door by the time he was caught.
Ryan argued that many clergy benefitted from low level weekly skimming from the collections. It was just some tax free walking around money, an unofficial perk of the job. OK, it was systematic theft and fraud, but no one would ever be prosecuted and it would never appear in any media reports or crime statistics. Which casts another light on this article's assertion that very few priests indulge in theft.
More recently, Father Jonathan Wehrle in Lansing, Michigan stole millions to built a splendid mansion. But he died before his case came to trial. And his bishop was prepared to say nice things about him.
To confirm one statement in the article: when Father Edward Belczak in Troy, Michigan was caught in some highly despicable crimes, there was no shortage of parishioners to come forward to say what a great guy he was. He still got 27 months. But it looks like a light punishment, given the size and vileness of the theft and the fact that he was in such a position of trust.
We tend not to get such frauds in England. That is not due to an excess of glowing sanctity in the British Isles. It is just that there is far less money in parishes. When our clergy go to prison, it is usually the old pelvic urges. Though Father Laurence Soper took £182,000 in walking around money to help him evade justice for years.
I expect that they'd find a similar disparity for doctors and nurses. Those society considers to have more self-giving jobs are often given more of a pass in the court system, and also by other people before it gets to the courts.
I'm somewhat curious what the bishop thinks of justice in general, and of laypeople, if he thinks laicization (which still leaves the priest as a priest) is a more than sufficient punishment for stealing a million dollars.
I also know a Diocesan CFO who, decades ago, stole millions from the diocese and the prosecutor refused to prosecute saying it was simply a civil case.
Michael Ryan gave another perspective on clerical fraud back in 2005.
https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2005_01_06/2005_06_17_Ryan_TheSecond.htm
One of the clerical fraudsters, Father Walter Benz, stole 1.3 million bucks between 1972 and 1998. That was serious money way back then. But he avoided earthly justice as he was at death's door by the time he was caught.
Ryan argued that many clergy benefitted from low level weekly skimming from the collections. It was just some tax free walking around money, an unofficial perk of the job. OK, it was systematic theft and fraud, but no one would ever be prosecuted and it would never appear in any media reports or crime statistics. Which casts another light on this article's assertion that very few priests indulge in theft.
More recently, Father Jonathan Wehrle in Lansing, Michigan stole millions to built a splendid mansion. But he died before his case came to trial. And his bishop was prepared to say nice things about him.
https://eu.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2020/03/31/rev-jonathan-wehrle-diocese-lansing-embezzlement-dead/5099438002/
To confirm one statement in the article: when Father Edward Belczak in Troy, Michigan was caught in some highly despicable crimes, there was no shortage of parishioners to come forward to say what a great guy he was. He still got 27 months. But it looks like a light punishment, given the size and vileness of the theft and the fact that he was in such a position of trust.
https://eu.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/11/27/edward-belczak-embezzling-priest-st-thomas-more/76455192/
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/priest-sentenced-prison-stealing-money-his-former-parish#:~:text=Edward%20Belczak%2C%2070%2C%20the%20former,McQuade%20announced.
We tend not to get such frauds in England. That is not due to an excess of glowing sanctity in the British Isles. It is just that there is far less money in parishes. When our clergy go to prison, it is usually the old pelvic urges. Though Father Laurence Soper took £182,000 in walking around money to help him evade justice for years.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42443604
The real crime here is that sanctuary!
Sorry, it was low-hanging fruit... I'll see myself out.
Nothing screams clericalism more than shoving Jesus off to the side for Fathers fancy-ass chair…
I expect that they'd find a similar disparity for doctors and nurses. Those society considers to have more self-giving jobs are often given more of a pass in the court system, and also by other people before it gets to the courts.
I'm somewhat curious what the bishop thinks of justice in general, and of laypeople, if he thinks laicization (which still leaves the priest as a priest) is a more than sufficient punishment for stealing a million dollars.
Anecdotes are not evidence.
I also know a Diocesan CFO who, decades ago, stole millions from the diocese and the prosecutor refused to prosecute saying it was simply a civil case.
Want to email me about that?
Jdflynn @ pillarcatholic dot com
Who knows how much money was stolen in the past, when it was unthinkable that a priest would do bad things?
Another thing - who ends up really paying for theft, the parishioners?
Covering for criminal clerics. That's nice. Remind you of any other scandal? When will they learn??
They will not learn. Only when there is authentic lay oversight will our children and tithes have some safety.