Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe has pleaded guilty to stealing $650,000 from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church in Summerlin.
From the Las Vegas Sun: A Las Vegas priest pleaded guilty today to three counts of mail fraud for stealing $650,000 from a church over an eight-year period.
Roman Catholic priest Kevin McAuliffe, 58, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on Jan. 6, 2012, and could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, according to Daniel G. Bogden, U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
McAuliffe, a priest and pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, admitted to stealing from the church from 2002 to 2010, officials said.
The U.S. attorney's office said McAuliffe pocketed money from the church’s general bank account, the gift shop and elsewhere. McAuliffe also used church funds to reimburse personal expenses made on his credit card, officials said.
McAuliffe also submitted false information to the Las Vegas Diocese that underrepresented the church’s income in financial reports, according to court records.
As a member of the Las Vegas Diocese’s financial committee from 2006 to 2010, McAuliffe signed letters mailed with yearly financial statements to the Archdiocese in San Francisco in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The Las Vegas Diocese assisted and cooperated in the investigation.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/07/las-vegas-priest-pleads-guilty-stealing-650000-chu/
This is actually worse than originally thought. One wonders if he stole the money because of gambling loses that has been rumored on this blog.
Because the information and thefts crossed state lines, that is the reason why the Des were involved. One wonders if he will face state charges as well or if that was part of a plea agreement.
Sounds like he has been stealing for quite awhile and my guess is that he probably is glad he got caught.
They will probably ask for restitution, but I can't imagine a priest or unemployed priest will be able to make that kind of money.
One also wonders if Monsignor McAuliff will be defrocked, resign or sent off to a monastery somewhere where he will pray for his forgiveness and not be able to handle money.
This is a sad day for McAuliff, SEAS and the Diocese of Las Vegas, and that cannot be denied. How the Church and McAuliff handles this will be telling.
Update: From the LVRJ: "This situation has been extremely trying on everyone: parishioners, employees, volunteers, the community and me personally," he said in a written statement. "No one should be above the law, especially someone who commands the public trust and violates that vow."
Pepe thanked church members and employees of St. Elizabeth's for their patience and understanding.
"It goes without saying that I am greatly saddened that all of the good and worthy actions that happen every day within the Catholic community of Las Vegas, and particularly St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, may be overshadowed by this situation."
McAuliffe's sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 6. According to the U.S. attorney's office, he faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/pastor-pleads-guilty-to-theft-from-st-elizabeth-ann-seton-catholic-church-131360823.html
Just wondering where McAuliffe is now?
*Shock*: Producer Hitting on 15-Y-O
3 hours ago
Wow!
ReplyDeleteTo the 2 anons- thanks for stoppng by. to anon#1, I totally agree with you. My jaw dropped when I found out how bad it was.
ReplyDeleteTo anon#2, you were right and I wonder who else helped him or knew about it. I cannot believe Mcauliffe did this on his own and with no one else knowing about it. As for prison, my guess is that he will end up in the Federal prison(assuming he gets sent to prison) in Oxford, WI. It is a minimum security prison in a beautiful area of central Wisconsin. He will be close to family, if there is any, friends- if he has any left- and able to watch the Packers and Brewers without cable TV. He may even be able to carry out his priestly duties there. There are no cells there and they have a wide variety of activities and jobs.
Yep. There were an awful lot of people blindly thinking "it can't be true". 90% of the time when the Feds get involved in cases like this the outcome is guilty.
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows at SEAS that the two priests were thick as thief's, now we know, literally. They both ran the gift shop. Fr. Vivona was always there pushing his trinkets, junk mostly, even while his parishioners could not find a priest to give a loved one their last rites. He even had the other priests begging the congregation during Mass, to stop by and buy on their way out. What happened to to the story in the Bible of Jesus casting out the money changers and vendors in the Temple. As is typical, of all religions, some things in the bible are ignored or thrown out if not to our liking or comfort. The Catholic Church is surely not exempt. Anyway, THE STOLEN MONEY HAS BEEN FOUND! Go check out the show at Our Lady of Wisdom with it's huge congregation of just 20 (mostly recruits from SEAS). The money can be found everywhere.... dripping of the gold chandeliers and gold leaf icons and wall paintings. There is even a picture (or was, as it would be a good idea to remove it now) of their revered benefactor, Fr. Keven in the entry hall. The interior of the church can be described as nothing less than ostentatious. I wonder if the good friend is next to confess or will he let Fr Kevin take the fall. Better to repent and take the punishment now rather than later at the court of the Father.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be strange that they would steal the steal the money and then put it into the other church, though that could be the money laundrying charge.
ReplyDeleteThis has been going on for only a few years, so he has been stealing a little under $100,000 a year or $2000 a week. That's a lot of cash.
And he is getting away without a lotof charges. How come he has not been charged with tax evading, theft or any state charges?
While Msgr. Kevin may have done the embezzlement, the fault sits squarely on the shoulders of Bishop Joseph Pepe. The admitted theft was done entirely on Pepe’s watch. Msgr. Kevin admits to stealing from 2002 to the present. Bishop Pepe became bishop of Las Vegas in 2001. Pepe has created an atmosphere where this is possible. The priests of the Diocese of Las Vegas have no real financial oversight and are permitted very loose cash controls. Many priests are lining their pockets with extra income under various pretexts (e.g., lavish meal allowances; collective Mass intentions for All Souls, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day). Yes, there are financial reports that a parish sends to the diocese. But any figures can be put into those reports and unrecorded income abounds (e.g., donations for baptisms, weddings, funerals). For years, Fr. Kevin openly stated that he would not allow the parish to be audited by the diocese because it involved an infringement on his rights as pastor. (I heard this myself from his own lips.) Of course, the bishop has not only the right but also the obligation to audit the parishes under his supervision. If Pepe had insisted on an audit, perhaps Fr. Kevin would have been caught and stopped years ago. Instead of insisting on an audit, Pepe promoted Fr. Kevin, made him Vicar General of the diocese (#2 after only the bishop himself) and named him as a Monsignor, an honorary prelate. Msgr. Kevin admits stealing by skimming money off various accounts. The Diocese of Las Vegas does that themselves with all national collections. For example, national collections are taken up to help the poor. Before such collections are sent from the Diocese of Las Vegas to the U.S. bishop’s conference, 10% is siphoned off and kept by the Diocese of Las Vegas. The example was set. Msgr. Kevin, motivated by his sense of entitlement, is just doing the same thing to benefit himself.
ReplyDeleteThe above is correct.The Bishop in this city is a poor leader and many of the same "blind" followers go unaware the Pepe has a past not exactly worthy of holiness! (look it up) Vivona's Church was paid for by the people of St.Elizabeths. I worked there. I left. I could not stand McAuliffe or Vivona. Vivona knew everything, you can bet on it!! Vivona,Bill Kenny, all of them should be in prison!When! When! Will these naive Catholics wake up! McAuliffe channeled funds to Vivona so that Vivona could build his own kingdom..where do you think the money came from? Duh! It cam from McAuliffe. It sickens me to read about these morons who called him "HOLY" and "A GOOD MAN"..ED Graveline. I'm sorry sir but you need a major wake up call...perhaps now you have it huh Ed? Are you awake now? Your pal is a lying thief. A disgrace and there are many of us who knew..we saw it coming..go get Vivona..he has all your money!
ReplyDeleteI don't doubt what both of you had said, but why would McAuliff risk everything by stealing the funds that went to another church?
ReplyDeleteAnd why is McAuliffe getting such a deal with the feds and not being charge with tax evasion.
And how will McAuliff payback the $650,000. If what you say is true about the smaller Church, will they help him by selling the luxury items you say are at the Church?
It's just a crazy situation and I am sure that McAuliffe is not the only one involved.
Sweet deal?!
ReplyDeleteThe Feds should look at how lavish Bishop Pepe lives and how and with whos money. Priests should live like Saint Francis, in humiliy, than they would ever be suspect. The Church needs to go back to her roots. I doubt the apostles gambled or had big screen TV's. I'm not implying they should not eat well or have what they need or live in a decent home, but have any of you seen the Bishops residence, talk about rich, maybe Sartini who owns stations casinos gave him the money, they are very close, that's why all the churches in our diocese are now pushing her Stillpoint center for the New Age. Father Kevin made his parishioners not only allow the distribution of New Age literature but if you saw it and thought OMG and tried to throw it away Father Kevin would scold you and say, I know it's wrong but we have to allow it because the Bishop is friends with the people who own Stillpoint, even going so far as to order his employees to apologize to Sartini and the Bishop for trying to take a stand against the infiltration of the New Age. He even ordered one employee to apologize profusely to Stillpoint for speaking against their New Age practices. There is no freedom of speech in the church, if you say the truth and it's going to piss off one of the moneybags watch out your head will roll. And why was and is the New Age being pushed so heavily in the Catholic Church anyway? It's teachings are completely contrary to Church teachings. They are knowingly trying to erode our faith in Jesus Christ as the only Lord of all! The only course of action for Gods people though is to pray the He will clean house, we don't know all the truth on any side, so we need to just trust in God. He can and will bring good out of the sad tragedy. But we must pray harder than ever because the Satan is real and is taking our all our Shepherds one by one. He finds their weekness then attacks. All Holy Priests need to pray the Rosary daily. And we need to pray the daily Rosary for then now before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has been under the Vivona spell would understand. He is a Jim Jones. Personally I think that they were lovers and would do anything for each other but I have no proof of that. They have been living with each other for years even when Fr francis owned and still owns his own house. Maybe Kevin is shacking up there. When are we all going to say that enough is enough?!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere does one find info on stillpoint? Never heard of it..
ReplyDeleteBishop Pepe will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Summerlin at 10:00 a.m. Sunday (today) for a Q & A. See you there!
ReplyDeleteTo the parishioners of SEAS, my heart breaks for you. You are not fools who blindly follow; you are good, honest, faithful Catholics who loved your priest. You are in my prayers. When I first heard the news I was surprised at my reaction, I have remained angry with Monsignor Kevin for his part in the ouster of our beloved priest at St Francis of Assisi, Father Mark Gantley. Instead of feeling some sort of vindication, I feel pity for Monsignor Kevin. (If you knew me you would know that I’m not the forgiving kind, so I was shocked at my reaction.) What he did was dreadful, I won’t argue that, but what he has lost is even worse. Being a priest is not like another career path, it is his life. Monsignor Kevin’s reputation is forever destroyed, his career is over, and he is now lost. (We know from past experience that the media will have a field day with this case. The Catholic Church is never treated kindly or fairly unlike other institutions.)
ReplyDeleteThe question remains is why would Monsignor Kevin do this? My guess would be that he struggles with some sort of an addiction. He too will be in my prayers.
Putting that aside, something needs to change in the Diocese of Las Vegas. Perhaps a new Bishop is required. One who remembers that he is here to serve his people, to listen to there concerns, and not become angry when opinions different than his are voiced. We need a bishop that will recruit good and holy priests like Father Mark Gantley instead of firing him because his parishioners refused to be silent.
There are a lot of people spreading hate and anger towards this parish, "being under a spell" or w/e crap. This whole situation is upsetting, it's best to just leave it and continue to have a strong faith in w/e you believe in. Instead of this pointless bashing of the SEAS community. No one is perfect but that doesn't make what Father Kevin did right. If you have any faith in you, then you should learn how to handle this in a way a "true Catholic" should. "Let Him Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone"
ReplyDeleteI read the LVRJ article today and how sad the parishioners are. They were in a denial mode. This is one reason why priests get moved around from church to church- so the parishioners don't get so close to a priest.
ReplyDeleteI am a parishioner of SEAS and was at the 6pm mass yesterday-The other priest did speak about what happened and did not sugar-coat anything (which I had originally thought they would do) - except that after the mass- He said there were some parishioners that wanted to send Fr. Kevin a card or present and that they would let us know where they could be sent. Honestly, this man doesn't deserves our prayers, cards or presents, in my opinion. Yes, he IS a priest but look at what he did-lied, stole and basically Got CAUGHT! - He probably would still be stealing & lying if they weren't on to this. This makes me sick to think I sat and listened to his homilies week after week (with my 2 young sons) when he went on (sometimes a Very long time) about how we should all be "good people" - So sad to think he NEVER practiced what he preached. It's hard trying to explain this to my kids! - Sometimes one wonders WHY young people have turned away from the Church-Very Very Sad in my opinion! And yes - I AM very angry!
ReplyDeleteTo the person who commented above about Father Kevin "scolding" the people who took the Stillpoint brochures out of the rack at SEAS. You are only telling the SECOND half of the story. I would know, I was one of the people taking the brochures out of the racks. For weeks, if not months, several of us would take the brochures the same night they were placed in the racks. Several times I did it with his full knowledge. We would be standing in front of the rack and he would say to me, "If they are all gone, how am I to know where they went? Maybe a lot of people are interested and took them." He would then wink and smile and walk away in one direction and I would take the brochures and walk away in the opposite direction. He only "ordered" us to stop when he got hammered by the bishop because of complaints from those people who run and fund it. Father Kevin in no way, shape, or form ever willingly and of his own volition supported or encouraged syncretist, non-orthodox programs, centers, or teachings. Unfortunately, Father Kevin is one of a sad few, lonely orthodox priests in a diocese and chancery rife with unfaithful, rebellious, dissenting Catholics. There were only so many battles that he could fight.
ReplyDeleteNow, in terms of the situation at hand, those of us who know and were close to Father Kevin know that this whole thing stinks to high heaven. There is more to this story than merely Father Kevin's guilty plea. Where is Father Vivona? Where are the finanical people of SEAS and the diocese? Father Kevin was meticulous in the accounting of funds for special projects and parish ministries. He working sun-up to midnight, day after day, year after year for his parish and diocese. Frankly, he was working himself to death. There is more to the story than we are being told or than what he is admitting to.
You can't do the amazing things Father Kevin did to build up the SEAS community both physically and spiritually on the one hand, all the while embezzling on the other. There is too much of a disconnect. Something is not right with all of this.
McAuliffe may have had an orthodox veneer, but that was whitewash. True he spent long hours late into the night micromanaging the finances with complete control over the funds and no one else knowing what he was doing. Pepe would have let him get away with it if the Feds had not gotten involved. If Pepe had found out, he would have covered it up. McAuliffe wasn't glad that he finally got caught. He felt entitled. He had seen too many priests suffering in their old age. I heard him say this. It was his rationalization coupled with his sense of entitlement for all he had done.
ReplyDeleteWhy has the Review Journal taken down and disabled comments on today's story?
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous who said she was sickened by those who wanted to send Father Kevin a card or a gift, Wow, isn't that how we are called to behave as Catholics? I am probably not that forgiving but I am certainly impressed by those who are. Isn't that what Jesus asks of us?
ReplyDeleteWhen Jesus overturned the money changer's tables in the Temples, I don't think he was going to send Christmas cards to any of them.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between forgiveness and acting like a fool. It's good to forgibve but foolish to reward the behavior.
I don't believe they are trying to reward him for his bad behavior, I believe they are trying to support him and to show him compassion. If he indeed has an addiction he is ill not evil.
ReplyDeleteI listened to local talk radio yesterday and caller tried to spin this. Said Bishop was on top of things, and see, the "system" works. Frank Gratian is right - Bishop would have covered this up had Feds not gotten involved. And attorney Stanish is excellent and getting McCauliffe into a rehab in June - right after he was removed from church. So it looks like McAuliffe went on his own, when all along this is being orchastrated by Stanish and Bishop. I am not saying anything against McAuliffe, so don't spout the throwing stones parable at me. I think what Bishop and Stanish are doing is manipulative. And Bishop poor handling of things for years and years are a big part of this.
ReplyDeleteYou are damn right Pepe would have covered it up if the Feds were not involved: look how Bill Kenny walked! I'm sorry. I still am amazed at how naive people are. Big Money has always been behind big Catholic parishes.There are thousands of addicts who are now NOT getting the soft touch McAuliffe is, and it's unfair to them. McAuliffe stole, gambled and lied. He's sorry? HE'S SORRY BECAUSE HE GOT CAUGHT! Forgiveness? One part of forgiveness, for the accused, is to make full restitution. If this were me, or Tom, Dick and Harry, we'd be nailed to high heaven. I'm sick of all these goody-two shoes types. They are as bad as Pepe and others who enable and perpetuate problems in the Catholic priesthood. I do not feel any remorse for McAullife. I don't buy half of it. He was a law unto himself.
ReplyDeleteIf you or I stole from our employer, we'd hang. McAuliffe needs to be punished, to send a message and to complete the flip side of pardon: DO YOUR TIME. LIKE A MAN. 33 months in prison is a joke. He's sorry..bullcrap! He's sad because he got caught! Wake up! And your Bishop needs to go! Vivona..too..all of them..are no damn good.
My family was intimately involved with SEAS for over 10 years in many of the ministries. There is NO doubt that Fr. Kevin was not alone in this deception. We ALL knew what was going on in that gift shop and who profitted. I saw and heard things that caused me to leave and never step foot in that church OR Our Lady of Wisdom again. I pray that they both find God's forgiveness. It's beyond devastating to think of how we were swindled. The money is negligible, replaceable. It is our memories, as parishioners and followers of their flock, that will forever be sullied.
ReplyDeleteTo: 10/13/11 at 2:42 AM.
ReplyDeleteI wish to extend my respect to you and your family. Like you, I was a close insider. I worked for McAuliffe and for the Diocese for 6 years. McAuliffe fooled many and you convey what many still can't seem to grasp. Like a celebrity now, he will not be punished appropriately. He'll do easy time and ease back into society. If this were a white guy blue collar type, he'd do the fullest of punishment. Same for a black man. McAuliffe though, is a priest, with a lawyer and Bishop who have engineered his prosecution. The presiding Judge should send a message, and meet out the stiffest penalty possible. THERE IS NOTHING MORE EVIL AND CORRUPT, NOTHING MORE APTLY TIED TO THE FACE OF CRIMINAL INTENTIONS, THAN A MAN, WHO, AS A PRIEST..ROBS THE CHURCH OF GOD. Yes, we will pray for him. Yes, we will pardon him, after he meets his due process of penal restitution. And lest the hangers on that still think McAuliffe is such a good and holy man, hear this loud and clear: HE'D STILL BE LYING AND STEALING HAD HE NOT GOT CAUGHT.
It is only "after the fact" that McAuliffe repents, enters a rehab..duh! He has to, so as to appease the people and courts. It's standard behavior. Some of these McAuliffe Groupies act as if his rehab entry and sorrow are signs and wonders of a holy man. Laughable. It's standard procedure once you get caught.
I'd think better of him if he turned himself in, prior to being caught. THAT'S NOBLE!That is what good men do when they err in crime. He gets no respect from me. He is playing his card games still. Just following the game with the hand dealt to him. Nothing spectacular.
He handed jobs to Vivonas pals when those jobs should of went to SEAS families. I counted 9 OLOW Vivona followers on SEAS payroll when I worked there. He retained an illegal Immigrant on staff, and hid him in California when the law came asking questions-here again-one of Vivonas people. He handed, years on end, a large salary to a guy on maintenance, who slept in closets and hardly worked-the equivalent of a Mafia no-show job. McAuliffe is no holy man! He's a calculating manipulator. A talker. The Gift Shop? The Money? Half went to on-line poker and the rest to build Vivonas church.I don't care what any of these people think or say in defense of either one of these guys..I know them all to well. I never liked them and I'm not alone.
Bottom line? McAuliffe got caught..and like Bill Kenny, another arrogant phony, McAuliffe would be robbing SEAS still..just as Kenny would have continued to prey on elderly parishioners with money. Don't even dare argue my points. You have no idea of what I know-what I saw..they are the worst and Pepe should be locked up too. He slapped Kenny on the wrist and he never challenged McAuliffe to allow audits of his parish books!! DID YOU HEAR THAT?
PEPE NEVER ONCE MADE MCAULIFFE HAND OVER HIS BOOKS TO AUDIT!! ANOTHER FAILURE OF A BISHOP.
This entire Diocese needs a major house cleaning. Pepe needs to go-Vivona is a Byzantine who has been allowed to tap into the cash flow at SEAS!! That's right! McAuliffe put him there-to handle the gift shop funds. Hahaha! A Byzantine priest-took Roman Catholic Funds from SEAS and built his church with it!!
Pepe-McAuliffe-Kenny and Vivona are criminals of the worst sort-because they conducted crimes in Gods Name!!
THAT'S WHY! In Gods Name!!
One of the good things that has come out of this situation is that those of us that knew that there was something "just not right"at SEAS and OLOW, can now freely write about it and realize that we were not overreacting when we left, for the day or for good, one or both of the Houses of God, with anger and confusion over what we saw and heard. What stands out, is that the stories are mostly the same. You can't make that happen unless it IS what happened. I think that someone should start a petition to have OLOW audited as well. His bishop is in Phoenix. I expect him to be about as useless as Pepe, otherwise, there would be no reason for fingers to be pointing in the OLOW direction.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that it's time that the diocese of Las Vegas gets a new Bishop.
ReplyDeletehow was he caught?
ReplyDeleteVery good question, Jim. Who turned him in?
ReplyDeletePepe stated in his letter to St. Elizabeth's parishioners that they don't know who turned in Msgr. Kevin. I am sure that those who turned him in are afraid of vindictiveness by Pepe and the diocese as this is Pepe's usual mode of operating. This is probably why they went to the feds rather than to Metro. It was quite a stretch to make this a federal case. What is surprising is that anyone was able to figure out what Msgr. Kevin was doing. After all, he had complete control over the finances to the exclusion of all others, except maybe Fr. Vivona. Ask anyone who works at St. Elizabeth's. They all know about Msgr. Kevin's complete control.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see people turning around. There is hope. However, hold on to your hats..and yes..I'm "The Insider", the guy many of you good people doubted. Are you ready for this? Do not ever doubt me!
ReplyDeleteNow, a group of devoted McAuliffe Clones are starting a fund raiser for guess who? NOT THE PARISH! BUT McAULIFFE!!! Sick people.These are the type of Catholics that drag our Church down. They think they are doing a good thing. The money should be mailed in $100.00 Bills to each registered parishioner! I will NEVER again go near that place.It's evil permeates the air-prejudice against blacks, gays, and those who challenge priestly authority, and not obeying the insane control of McAuliffe. Vivona needs to be jailed with his pal. There is a certain group of people at SEAS who are brainwashed.They now make further mockery of Gods Holy Name by raising funds for McAuliffe.Insane! Evil! Vivona needs to be audited. Someone needs to contact the FBI and have Vivonas financial statments sifted with care. His Church was built by the hard working people of SEAS.I have lost any remaining respect for SEAS. Now, they support a criminal!! They make me sick.
I certainly am not a fan of McAuliffe, however, I am impressed with the forgiving nature of the parishioners of SEAS. They are actually living their faith. To show love and support to Monsignor Kevin after knowing what he has done is amazing. I don't think they are brainwashed, I believe they are loving people.
ReplyDeleteThe same day that Fr. Kevin was accused, Fr Mendoza was ordained a priest at OLOW. At his own ordination, he thanked Fr Kevin (who I heard was mysteriously absent) for the gift of his education, with everyone present to hear.
ReplyDeleteFr. Bill Kenny (Swindler of the Elderly) lucked out because of his political affiliations and being grandfathered in at Christ The King. A thing that should NEVER be allowed. Pastors should be moved around after a 6 year term.It is amazing that people even bother to listen to Kenny. McAuliffe should be stripped of Holy Orders. Pepe, a master of the "cover up" links McAuliffes Holy Orders to his faith. The two are distinct. Holy Orders has absolutely NOTHING to do with Faith. It certainly does not ensure Faith. This is bullcrap, once again, from Pepe. Faith is a gift of God, and not a surety that comes with a Title after your name or an ordination, which is a ritual confirming one has completed studies toward the priesthood. I repeat: Holy Orders and Faith are distinct.
ReplyDeletePepe, slippery as ever,implies that if McAuliffes Holy Orders were taken away, McAuliffes faith would go with it. Bullcrap. Catholic Hierarchy needs to stop the pampering and protecting of their corrupt, criminal priests.Kenny cried like a baby, pleaded that the Kochansky swindling be kept out of criminal proceedings. He got lucky. He has the nerve to send out monetary soliciting envelopes.Did he think of his parish while he wined and dined on $350,000 of a family's savings? And your wonderful Bishop Pepe, had the nerve to tell the public that Kenny was a "gifted leader." A gifted Con Man is more to the truth. Kenny and McAuliffe should be stripped of Holy Orders, just like in the military,when a soldier is guilty of a crime, they are subject to court martial,stripped of rank and discharged with "Bad Conduct."
Kenny was rejected by Rome as a young seminarian.Had it stuck, the Kochansky's would have their Mothers life's savings.
Our church is militant in nature and as such, these criminals should be treated the same: they should be Discharged On The Findings Of Bad Conduct.
Don't even argue this point with me. You will insult the families they robbed, the lives they ruined, the Diocese they betrayed and the name of God they have mocked, still, in this hell hole called Las Vegas Catholic Hierarchy. Pepe is to blame for it all. His past is flawed also.
Then there's Vivona, The Godfather of the Diocese. A loud mouthed bully who is as corrupt as any mobster that walked these streets. He should be immediately removed from any affiliation with SEAS and the good people there should DEMAND this of your smooth talking Bishop. A writer above speaks the truth: This entire Diocese needs a major house cleaning. And, it starts at the top. The actions of the Three Amigos: Kenny, McAuliffe and Vivona, take the heat off of Pepe. But his day will come. Truth, as we have seen in the McAuliffe nightmare, can only be hid for so long. And though Kenny may have escaped the courts and prison, he has been exposed for what he is,a phony. The FBI should now confiscate OLOW finance documents. I no longer belong to any church here.I receive the sacraments where I choose. You can do that you know! You DO NOT have to oblige yourself to any one parish. They would have you believe that, so your monies regularly keep coming in. No more. The people of Boston, who were literally abused by scores of priests and Cardinal Bernard Law, have done the right thing..they hit them where it hurts..they keep their hard earned money in their pockets.
They all caught on to it here. Theft. They knew they could rob all of you. And, they did just that. FOR YEARS!
Truth hurts, huh?
Well, then do something about it! Write to Rome. Start petitioning an investigation of Vivona. Write to Rome about your Bishop not auditing McAuliffe for 10 years. Speak up! Defend your Church! Do something about it, like Christ did when he kicked over the money changers tables and threw out the priests that were accepting coins for sacrifice. You allow it. You allow it because you are use to it.
You are use to being dominated and not questioning authority.
God has given you a spirit of courage: USE IT! WRITE TO ROME!
I agree with the last post and can corroborate much of what he writes. By not auditing St. Elizabeth’s for the 10 years that he has been bishop of Las Vegas, Bishop Pepe has created a situation of scandal. I am not talking about scandal in the sense of a situation that causes public outrage, although there has been plenty of that in the 10 years that Pepe has been bishop (Fr. Mark Roberts, Fr. Bill Kenny, Fr. George Chanine, Msgr. Kevin McAuliffe, etc.). Rather I am talking about scandal in a moral sense: an act or omission or attitude that leads another to do evil. If a pastor knows that he might be audited and that wrongdoing might be uncovered, he might resist the temptation to steal, if he is so tempted. By never auditing St. Elizabeth’s, Pepe created a situation of scandal for Msgr. Kevin. Perhaps if Msgr. Kevin had been worried about getting caught, he might never have stolen all of that money. If Pepe had looked into what was going on in his parishes (there aren’t that many), he would have realized that Msgr. Kevin was functioning as comptroller and that there inadequate cash controls in place.
ReplyDeleteRev Mark Roberts was before Pepe arrived in Vegas.
Delete