Why Msgr. McAuliffe Lost $650,000

Disgraced Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe stole $650,000 from the st. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, including money from the collections, gift shop, votive candles, money for the mission etc and the reason for it? Gambling.
This shouldn't be a surprise to the regular readers here as it was shown that this was probably the case as I was able to get comments from an insider who stated as much.
From the LVRJ: After months of speculation, the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church learned why their pastor had been placed on leave when he pleaded guilty Friday to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the church.
Still one question remained: Why did he do it?
The answer: Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe is a compulsive gambler.
McAuliffe, 58, expressed his remorse for the theft through his attorney, Margaret Stanish.
"He has donated his life to serve his church and others," an emotional Stanish said on Monday. "He, however, has a gambling addiction. He's so very remorseful for the hurt he has caused to all who are precious to him."
McAuliffe, the former vicar general for the Las Vegas Diocese, ranking second only to the bishop, pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud in federal court. The monsignor acknowledged stealing $650,000 from the Summerlin parish, including funds from the gift store, votive candles and church mission. His sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 6.
Stanish said McAuliffe wants to speak up, but she advised him to wait until after his case comes to a legal resolution.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/pastor-was-gambling-addict-131501473.html
I can understand how it can happen- the flashing lights, the sounds and the competitiveness of playing games.
On the other hand, why did he have to steal. Saying I'm weak is not an excuse. But then having access to a lot of cash adds to the temptation.
And why didn't the Bishop step in and do an audit of the churches finances? He needs to be responsible to a certain extent because this lax supervision.
Further, his attorney is enabling him with her comments- making excuses and saying he is sorry for getting caught.
But the bottom line, s even though he has had a long list of excuses, there really is no excuse for abusing the trust of thousands of parishioners at SEAS. He knew he was wrong but made conscious decisions to steal. Did he report these sins during confession? And if so, why wasn't he steered to help by the priest involved with the confession?
Fortunately, even though $650,000 is a lot of money, it is not for SEAS, so they were not seriously harmed. SEAS is a rich Church and they can make up this difference in a few weeks, if not less.
But the bottom line is that McAuliffe hurt a lot of people by breaking their trust and he needs to be punished more for that. Otherwise, he would have gotten away with a crime.