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William:
That is sad news...I think that the father should forgived them for the misdeeds they, are accused of doing...

*They are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty*

~Dennis Junior~

One of them can be presumed guilty Dennis. He's admitted to it.

I's say the sell out of the the faith by liberal bishops in the past forty years was a far bigger case of fraud and embezzlement.

William:

For JovialPTL...I know, that one of them admitted to it; but, for legal reasons...I was protecting the intent of Innocent until proven guilty....

~Dennis Junior~

So, do these priests need to confess their sins to the Pope or can they get absolution from any ordinary priest? (Is belting the Pope worse than genocide?) In addition to having broken the commandment "thou shalt not steal" among others, they may have rendered unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's by paying taxes on their salaries but what about rendering unto the Church? I'm not clear on American law and whether or not clergy are exempt from paying income tax under the provisions of separation of church and state (I've never been in that situation and I'm not an accountant.) If they have to pay income tax, should they be required to pay for income they stole? That's how the Feds got Big Al Capone, on income tax evasion, not for running Murder Incorporated. If they don't get absolution from the Pope and it's required, are they condemned to hell forever? Speaking about hell, a couple of guys can have one hell of a good time on $800,000 even in these days of high prices. BTW, prostitution is legal in Las Vegas and there are many whore houses there. No lurid details in the article about their sexual escapades so we just don't know. Money is a powerful aphrodisiac. Does the Catholic Church provide services for psychological counseling for gambling addiction as an employment benefit? If not, can they afford it on their own salary. Now what I want to hear these priests say when confronted with undeniable evidence of their transgressions is "the devil made me do it." Will the Church be as charitable as the Lord's Prayer requires "...and forgive us our transgressions as we forgive our transgressors." ? Palm Beach Florida is one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. Just one more case like Bernie Madoff where wealthy fools got fleeced. Funny, I can't seem to find one bit of charitable sympathy for the parishoners. Many were probably corporate executives who made their fortunes which they in part donated to the church by fleecing shareholders and employees. Easy come, easy go.

To quote Father Ted:
"The money was just resting in my account!"