A prominent pastor and chaplain of the Morris County jail has been placed on administrative leave by the Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese because of an FBI investigation into financial matters at his parish, church officials said on Tuesday.Monsignor Patrick Brown, 58, temporarily stepped down from his position as pastor of St. Vincent DePaul Church in Long Hill two weeks ago, diocese officials said, after FBI agents informed church officials about the investigation.
FBI officials did not have an immediate comment on the matter.
"I think he's a great man and a great priest,'' said Ken Mullaney, an attorney who represents the diocese. "I stand by him. There has been nothing to lead us to believe that there was anything inappropriate.''
Brown's attorney, John Lacey, said he couldn't comment on the investigation because the government has not yet told him anything about it. But he has requested a meeting with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark "to discuss any issues they would like to examine."
He said he has not yet received a response.
Paterson Diocese spokesman Rich Sokerka issued a prepared statement, saying Brown had been placed on administrative leave "to protect his own rights and to avoid any conflicts.''
The statement referred to Brown as "one of the most well-known priests in Morris County'' and said Monsignor Remigo Rocco would be his temporary replacement at St. Vincent DePaul.
Parishioners were told about the investigation this past Sunday, according to church officials.
Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford said his office found out about the investigation by word of mouth, and is waiting to see whether the diocese will provide a temporary replacement at the county jail, where Brown has served as chaplain for 25 years.
"He's a good guy, and he's always been good for the inmates,'' Rochford said.
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