The longtime pastor of a Catholic church in Somerset County resigned
last week after officials said he took $500,000 from his parish's
coffers because of his "compulsive behaviors."
The allegations against Rev. Douglas J. Haefner, who for 27 years has
served as the pastor of St. Matthias Church in Franklin Township, came
to light in a Nov. 2 letter from the Diocese of Metuchen to the church's parishioners.
"It is with sadness that I must inform you that Father's resignation
coincides with serious questions and concerns that recently have been
raised regarding the handling of parish finances," the letter states.
"... Father came to me about his own health problems and these financial
issues in recent weeks and has expressed his sorrow for his actions and
for letting us all down."
The revelation that the money was missing came in a private
conversation between Haefner and Bishop James F. Checchio. Haefner had
come to Checchio and said he "borrowed" approximately $500,000, the
bishop told a gathering of a couple hundred parishioners in a Monday
evening address. That figure is approximate because an internal audit is
ongoing.
Pastor resigns after taking $500K from church. Confesses it was his 'compulsive behavior' | NJ.com:
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