A Failed Pre-emptive Plea

The Rev. Francis Guinan was outraged in the fall of 2003, facing two parish audits by the Diocese of Palm Beach...He professed disbelief that his integrity would be questioned...Guinan called on Bishop Gerald Barbarito, new to his post, to abolish the diocese's audit policy.

Why should the diocese abolish its audit policy, which was implemented, no doubt, for good reason? In a 2003 letter to Bishop Barbarito, Guinan explains:

"My reasons for this request are as follows: It is demeaning, embarrassing and humiliating. It accomplishes nothing that could not be accomplished in a more dignified fashion...The money spent on an audit is a waste and should be spent more wisely."

"They [priests] devote their lives to the church with little thought for personal gain. They are generous, charitable and compassionate. They have earned and deserve trust, at least until proven otherwise...May I be so crude as to ask you to `call off the dogs.'"

Despite this touching plea, the audits went forward, and:

...an independent audit of St. Vincent eventually uncovered an alleged $8.6 million theft going back decades.
. . .
Guinan jetted off to Las Vegas and the Bahamas with a woman witnesses told investigators was his girlfriend...collected real estate and upscale homes...created a complex maze for accountants to sort out, including multiple bank and stock investment accounts that were kept secret.

Guinan, 64, and another priest, the Rev. John Skehan, 74, were arrested last fall and charged with grand theft over $100,000, a first-degree felony which can carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. But being priests whose sacrifices and commitments were "without parallel," they pleaded not guilty...

Source.