Complicit Clergy

Priest Who Stole Money from N.J. Catholic Church Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

August 6, 2021 from NJ.com by Staff

A Catholic priest who admitted to transferring nearly $517,000 of parish funds into his personal bank account had been sentenced to seven years in state prison, church officials said Tuesday. The Rev. Douglas J. Haefner, the longtime pastor of St. Matthias Parish in Somerset, admitted to taking the money due to “compulsive behavior” during an … Read more

New Jersey Priest Admits to Stealing $516K

May 20, 2021 from NewJersey.com by Staff

A Catholic priest who told church officials he borrowed more than $516,000 from his parish’s accounts due to “compulsive behavior” has pleaded guilty to theft, diocese officials said Wednesday. The Rev. Douglas J. Haefner, 68, admitted to diverting the parish money into his personal account in a hearing before Superior Court Judge Peter Tober in … Read more