BishopAccountability.org
	Archbishop Issues Statement on Popular Ottawa Priest Cfra April 16, 2011 http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=78997 Ottawa's Catholic Archbishop has released a statement in reaction to an Ottawa Citizen story about Fr. Joe LeClair -- a popular Ottawa priest from the Glebe who the paper says has run up -- and paid off -- huge credit card debts to feed a gambling habit over several years. The article questions how the priest paid off hundreds of thousands in debt on a meagre salary. No criminal charges have been laid, and to date there has been no police investigation. In a written statement, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast says says Fr LeClair -- like any citizen -- is entitled to privacy and to defend his reputation. He also says priests are called "to the public witness of a lifestyle consistent with Gospel values." The archbishop says he was made aware of the Citizen investigation late in 2010. and instructed the diocese's Vicar-general to meet with Fr LeClair to address the questions raised. He also hired Deloitte and Touche for an independent audit of the parish's finances, which is still underway. The statement says parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Church will be kept informed when a report is completed.
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