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  University of Dallas Chaplain Put on Leave after Apparently Falling for Scam

By Sam Hodges
The Dallas Morning News
February 17, 2009

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/021709dnmetchaplain.36f29b2.html

The priest who serves as chaplain at the University of Dallas and rector of the Catholic church there has been placed on administrative leave after apparently falling victim to a scam that claimed at least $100,000 in church funds.

The Rev. Tony Densmore told officials of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas that someone he now recognizes as a con man talked him into making a series of loans. The money belonged to the Church of the Incarnation, on the UD campus.

Bishop Kevin Farrell, who as leader of the diocese appointed Densmore as chaplain of the Catholic school and rector of the church, wrote a letter that was read Sunday during services at the Church of the Incarnation.

"It is with a heavy heart and deep concern that I inform you about some financial irregularities," the letter began.

Farrell said Densmore violated policy in making the loans without authorization and has been placed on leave pending the outcome of a law enforcement investigation.

The matter has been turned over to the FBI, said Annette Gonzales Taylor, spokeswoman for the diocese. "The church is totally cooperating with authorities," she said.

She said the diocese has sent an advisory to all parishes of the diocese, and two priests reported having been approached for loans in much the way Densmore said he was.

UD officials and Densmore could not be reached for comment.

Densmore was ordained in 2004 and served as parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Plano before Farrell appointed him last year to serve the Church of the Incarnation and UD, according to a story in Texas Catholic, the diocese newspaper.

Contact: samhodges@dallasnews.com

 
 

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