Priest Admits To Affair With Cousin

(NewsCore) - A California-based Catholic priest who runs a television ministry has taken a leave of absence after admitting to a sexual relationship with his second cousin, the San Bernardino County Sun reported Thursday.
The Rev. Michael Manning said he had stepped down from his position to reflect on the relationship with Nancy Kotowski, a school superintendent in Monterey County, Calif.
Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy which forbids them from all sexual activity, and Manning said he ended the relationship two years ago.
"We've been such good friends and there's a deep love we have for each other," Manning told the Sun.
"The sexuality was secondary. It's very hard when you care for someone, but I love my priesthood more. I admit the fact of my sinfulness. I've done wrong. That's why I've stopped."
Kotowski, 59, told The Monterey Herald the pair had considered getting married before deciding to end the relationship, which began after 30 years of friendship.
She also said she hoped their situation might lead to debate being renewed about clergy members remaining celibate.
Manning, 70, started his television ministry, Wordnet, in 1978. His weekly show titled "The Word in the World" is broadcast nationally on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Manning is a member of the Society of the Divine Word, a missionary community that has thousands of members throughout the world.


Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpps/news/televangelist-priest-michael-manning-confesses-to-affair-with-cousin-dpgonc-20110408-fc_12679331#ixzz1J0CR0JFu

Police probing embezzlement at local church

Mount Airy police are investigating the alleged embezzlement of more than $13,000 from one of this area’s largest churches.

The crime was reported last week by an official of Central United Methodist Church at 1909 N. Main St., who advised that an employee there had used a credit card for unauthorized purchases and payments.

The crime allegedly was committed by a female employee of Central United Methodist, whom Police Chief Dale Watson said worked in a “fiduciary capacity” that provided access to its finances.

“This person had access to a church purchasing card,” said R.B. Davis of the city police Detective Division, which is investigating the case.

“It did transpire over a period of time,” the detective added of the suspected embezzlement.

The exact sum taken is said to be $13,473, which included both cash and credit card funds, according to police records.

A portion of the missing proceeds has been repaid, according to Watson.

Meanwhile, no charges have been filed in the case pending further review.

“We’ll be contacting the District Attorney’s Office to get their advice” on which way to proceed from here, the police chief explained Monday.

Police records indicate that the alleged wrongdoing was discovered in January, but there was no word Monday on how it came to light. Mount Airy attorney Ed Woltz, whose family has long been associated with Central United Methodist Church, reported the matter to police.

Read more: Mount Airy News - Police probing embezzlement at local church 

Former priest accused of leading police chase

State police say that on Monday night 71-year-old Francis McCloskey led them on a brief, low speed case in Livingston, in a rental car that was overdue.

They say he faces three charges including reckless driving and fleeing an officer.

He was sent to the Columbia County Jail that night, but sheriffs tell FOX23 News he has since posted bail and has been released.
http://www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/Former-priest-accused-of-leading-police-chase/aoAdY9nEBU-k55S_xPUEBQ.cspx

Priest accused of stealing funds for needy in St. Croix County

A priest working in Hudson who resigned under allegations he stole funds from an account used to help needy families was charged Monday in St. Croix County Court with felony theft.
The Rev. Daniel J. Dahlberg, 68, of Superior is scheduled for an initial court appearance May 12. The charge has a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
St. Patrick Catholic Church officials reported $10,800 was missing from a charity account used to help people in times of hardship. Dahlberg spoke to parishioners March 20 and resigned the next day, according to church officials.
Dahlberg admitted taking the money, in part, because of a gambling addiction. He had sole control of the account.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police met with Sam Cari, a church trustee, on March 21. Cari said the account was used for gasoline, rent, vehicle repairs, utility bills, food and other items.
Reports indicate Dahlberg started in August 2009 writing checks and endorsing them to cash for personal use. Dahlberg told Cari in February that Dahlberg used $3,500 for car problems and gambling.
An internal audit indicated $10,800 was missing, and Dahlberg told police he used it for gambling.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_17782826?nclick_check=1

Priest charged with sex crimes heads to trial

By DAVID OLSON
The Press-Enterprise San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Colin Bilash Tuesday ruled there is enough evidence for a felony sex-crimes case against an Inland priest to go to trial.
The Rev. Alejandro " Alex" Jose Castillo is accused of molesting a 12-year-old boy in late 2008, when Castillo was pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Ontario.
Castillo pleaded not guilty in October to seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under age 14 and one count of forcible lewd and lascivious acts with a child under age 14.
He will next appear in court on April 28, said Karen Schmauss, the San Bernardino County deputy district attorney handling Castillo's case. An Ontario police detective detailed the accusations against Castillo during Tuesday's preliminary hearing, she said.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_webpriest06.2571cb603.html

Priest Accused Of Embezzling $25K From Church

GARNERVILLE—A Catholic priest has been charged with using his parish’s American Express credit card for personal expenses, including online gambling.
Thomas Kreiser, 45, of Cinder Road has been charged with third degree grand larceny.
Prosecutors say over a three-month period from March to June, 2010, Kreiser, who since 2008 served as pastor of St. Gregory Barbarigo Roman Catholic Church in Garnerville, stole over $25,000.
The defendant’s misappropriation of funds was uncovered during an Archdiocesan review of the administration of the parish, including an audit.
Restitution in full has already been paid to the parish.
Kreiser was arraigned in the Town of Haverstraw Justice Court by Judge Peter Branti and released on his own recognizance. He is due to return to court on May 12.
If convicted, he faces a possible state prison sentence of up to seven years.
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2011/04/05/priest_accused/

Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse Get Pension

The Catholic Church of Denmark is being criticised for secrecy and inaction in its handling of the cases of several priests accused of sexual abuse against young men.
The complaints follow the announcement by the church on Sunday that it had completed its last and most extensive investigation into the case of a priest who was suspended in April 2010 after being accused by five separate people of indecent exposure and sexual abuse.
In a brief statement the church announced that the official investigation into the complaints had been completed and that the priest would retire with pension as a result.
The church declined to reveal what its investigation into the complaints uncovered or why the priest retired.
“Our conclusion is that the case is closed and the suspension is lifted. The priest then asked if he could retire,” church spokesman Rev Niels Engelbrecht told Berlingske newspaper.
The bishop of the Diocese of Copenhagen, Czeslaw Kozon, however wrote in a letter to the people who filed the complaint against the priest that the church had not been able to determine whether the complaints were founded, and therefore chose to give the priest the benefit of the doubt.
Frederik Roed, one of the men who accused the priest of sexual misconduct, was angered by the church’s conclusion.
http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/51371-priest-accused-of-sex-abuse-gets-pension.html