By Sean O'Sullivan
News Journal
July 7, 2011
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110707/NEWS01/107070342/Former-pastor-pleads-guilty-stealing-from-two-parishes?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp
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| Prosecutors said the Rev. Cornelius Breslin embezzled more than $350,000 from two Catholic Diocese of Wilmington parishes. |
WILMINGTON -- A man who led two city congregations stood at a podium Wednesday instead of an altar, dressed in plain clothes instead of vestments, to admit to a judge that he had broken one of the Ten Commandments.
The Rev. Cornelius J. Breslin, 59, answered "Yes" in a quiet voice when Superior Court Judge Fred. S. Silverman asked him if he was guilty of the theft of more than $100,000 from the two parishes where he had been pastor until five months ago.
Breslin, who has been suspended from his priestly duties, was addressed by the judge and attorneys as "Mr." during the brief proceeding in the New Castle County Courthouse.
Prosecutors charge Breslin took more than $350,000 from St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Patrick churches.
Breslin on Wednesday did not offer an explanation for his actions, but court papers indicate he had been arguing that he had the authority as pastor to use church money to make donations to charity. The papers do not indicate what charities Breslin allegedly donated the money to, and Breslin's attorney Ferris Wharton declined comment.
Wilmington Bishop W. Francis Malooly said Wednesday was "a sad day for the people of St. Mary's and St. Patrick's parishes and for all the people of the Diocese of Wilmington.
Catholic parishioners should have confidence that the money they generously give to their local church will be used to further the mission of their Catholic community and not be misused in any way."
Deputy Attorney General Kevin Carroll also declined comment until Breslin's sentencing on Sept. 23. Breslin faces up to 15 years in prison, but, according to what was said at Wednesday's proceeding, sentencing guidelines suggest up to a year in prison.
Breslin's admission of guilt comes as the Catholic Church in Delaware is struggling with bankruptcy and attempting to settle dozens of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests that stretch back decades.
On Friday, a U.S. bankruptcy judge is expected to rule on the diocesan plan to leave Chapter 11, which includes a $77.4 million settlement with survivors of priest sexual abuse.
If Judge Christopher Sontchi approves the plan, it essentially would bring an end to the nearly 2-year-long bankruptcy process and resolve more than 100 pending civil claims against the diocese and its parishes.
According to prosecutors, between July 2009 and August 2010, Breslin wrote checks to himself for more than $358,000 from the accounts of both parishes and deposited the money in an account at a different bank.
The parishes have not been paid back.
When the charges were filed in February, Breslin was suspended by the diocese and ordered to leave his residence at St. Patrick's church.
'Misunderstanding'
In court Wednesday, Breslin answered only "yes" or "no" to questions from the judge.
But according to court papers filed last month, it appeared that Breslin was going to argue at trial that he "disbursed the money as charity pursuant to his authority as parish priest."
When charges were first filed, Breslin said through his previous attorney that the situation was all the result of a "misunderstanding."
In June, Wharton requested a continuance so he could find an expert in church law to back up Breslin's claim that he had the authority to make the disbursements, which if true meant "there was no theft and therefore, no crime."
Rather than make that argument to a jury at the trial, which was scheduled to start Wednesday, Breslin instead entered a guilty plea.
'Something is fishy'
Tom Doyle, an expert in church law said pastors do have some limited authority to give church money to charity, but certainly not in such large amounts without permission from superiors.
Doyle said the exact amount a pastor has discretion over is set by the diocese and could be as high as $10,000 or $20,000. But, Doyle said, "if he is giving $200,000 to $300,000, something is fishy there."
Diocese spokesman Robert Krebs said the diocese, at sentencing, would describe the effect of Breslin's thefts on the two parishes.
In his statement Wednesday, Malooly praised the diocesan finance office for discovering the irregularities during a routine audit.
"I continue to keep all concerned, especially the people of St. Mary's and St. Patrick's, in my prayers," Malooly said.
Contact Sean O'Sullivan at 324-2777 or sosullivan@delawareonline.com.
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