A former Catholic priest in Bavaria
is awaiting trial following after being charged with embezzling Church
funds totalling over €1 million.
A retired clergyman, now 77, presided over several parishes in the
Main-Spessart county, faces 50 counts of serious fraud for pocketing
€1.088 million that was intended for a Church foundation and the
diocese, according to state prosecutors in Würzburg.
Following a raid on his home, police discovered that the retired priest
had been hoarding cash donated to the Church as well as a collection of
other valuable objects such as rare coins.
He was also found to have used Church funds tied up in savings bonds and
annuity agreements to channel money into accounts that only he had
access to and that were unknown to the Church. A large part of the
stolen cash was insured.
His former congregation were reportedly shocked at the turn of events,
given that the accused was known as being a famously frugal character.
Having retired in December 2009, the man was arrested last May and has
been awaiting trial in a monastery in the district of Lower Franconia.
He is on remand as there is no perceived risk of collusion or fleeing
charges.
The former priest has since admitted the charges against him.