Indicted Florida Priest allowed to go to Boston for event, circuit judge decides

[Ian David]

By SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL and LONA O'CONNOR
Palm Beach Post Staff Writers
Thursday, July 19, 2007

The Rev. John Skehan, accused of misappropriating $8.7 million in church money, is scheduled to leave today on a two-week trip to Boston. Circuit Judge Sandra McSorley agreed to allow Skehan to travel there for a "family gathering," a court order says.

Skehan, 80, is charged with felony grand theft for allegedly stealing money while pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach. The grand theft charge is punishable by a maximum of 30 years in prison. Under state sentencing guidelines, though, Skehan likely faces a few years as charged.

<snip>

A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Alexis Walkenstein, said Skehan is not permitted to exercise his priestly duties in public.

<snip>

News of the alleged crime spread internationally, with some calling it one of the biggest financial scandals in the modern history of the Roman Catholic Church in America.


Former Delray priests Francis Guinan (left) and John A. Skehan are accused of misappropriating $8.6 million from their church.


More:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/07/19/s1b_priest_0719.html

[rox63]

1. We don't want him here

We've had our fill of criminal priests around here, thank you.

[jojo54]

2. If this was an average Joe,

no way in hell would he be free to attend a family gathering.

[Forkboy]

3. But apparently there is a way in heaven to attend one.

:)

[DUgosh]

4. Family gathering

He's devoted to his young nephews.

[jojo54]

5. Bwwwaaaahhhhaaaaaa!!