Here are some other articles carrying the same story:
The Republic
KTNV
KTNV News Coverage
Perhaps this calls for a reminder regarding a previous post on this blog exposing the process for collecting novena money in this Diocese, and the fact that there is a lack of accounting for thousands of dollars worth of these donations. Read the novena post here. There is still no public response or investigation into this practice.
Priests are human, and not immune to the temptations of the devil. Please pray for Msgr. McAuliffe, our Bishop and all the priests of our Diocese who are subject to the temptations of the world.
Call to Prayer:
O Almighty, Eternal God, look upon the Face of your Son and for love of him, who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop's hands. Keep them close to you, lest the enemy prevails against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation. Amen.
~Richard James Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, 1895-1970
While Msgr. Kevin may have done the embezzlement, the fault sits squarely on the shoulders of Bishop Joseph Pepe. The admitted theft was done entirely on Pepe’s watch. Msgr. Kevin admits to stealing from 2002 to the present. Bishop Pepe became bishop of Las Vegas in 2001. Pepe has created an atmosphere where this is possible. The priests of the Diocese of Las Vegas have no real financial oversight and are permitted very loose cash controls. Many priests are lining their pockets with extra income under various pretexts (e.g., lavish meal allowances; collective Mass intentions for All Souls, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day). Yes, there are financial reports that a parish sends to the diocese. But any figures can be put into those reports and unrecorded income abounds (e.g., donations for baptisms, weddings, funerals). For years, Fr. Kevin openly stated that he would not allow the parish to be audited by the diocese because it involved an infringement on his rights as pastor. (I heard this myself from his own lips.) Of course, the bishop has not only the right but also the obligation to audit the parishes under his supervision. If Pepe had insisted on an audit, perhaps Fr. Kevin would have been caught and stopped years ago. Instead of insisting on an audit, Pepe promoted Fr. Kevin, made him Vicar General of the diocese (#2 after only the bishop himself) and named him as a Monsignor, an honorary prelate. Msgr. Kevin admits stealing by skimming money off various accounts. The Diocese of Las Vegas does that themselves with all national collections. For example, national collections are taken up to help the poor. Before such collections are sent from the Diocese of Las Vegas to the U.S. bishop’s conference, 10% is siphoned off and kept by the Diocese of Las Vegas. The example was set. Msgr. Kevin, motivated by his sense of entitlement, is just doing the same thing to benefit himself.
ReplyDeleteGambling? Or maybe just the excuse of a con man, to get a lighter sentence.
ReplyDeleteI think he is fooling all of you. What better cover when caught stealing than to say "I am an addict." It is a classic cop out. He has been coached by his lawyer. He's a thief. He should go to prison like any common man. His lawyer and Pepe are conning all of you-again. A thief is one thing,but to steal while preaching the Gospel is just plain EVIL. St.Michael,cast into Hell, Stan and ALL evil spirits who roam the world seeking to harm Gods Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kevin McAuliffe. Bill Kenny. Bob Stoekig and friends. Thanks for shaming our Catholic heritage here in Las Vegas. You can go to Hell.