Pope Francis Dismisses Convicted Manchester Priest from Clerical State

WMUR
April 7, 2017

http://www.wmur.com/article/pope-francis-dismisses-convicted-manchester-priest-from-clerical-state/9245665

Edward Arsenault

Pope Francis ordered that a former Manchester priest sentenced to prison for stealing from a hospital and parishioners be dismissed from the clerical state.

In the decree dated Feb. 28, Pope Francis released Edward Arsenault from all obligations to sacred ordination, including celibacy.

“By virtue of this decree, Edward J. Arsenault has no faculties to act, function, or present himself as a priest,” the decree read.

Arsenault was sentenced to four years in prison in 2014 and ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution.

He pleaded guilty to stealing $185,000 from Catholic Medical Center, the estate of a dead priest and the Diocese of Manchester.

Arsenault admitted he spent the money on trips to San Francisco and New York; pricey restaurants; flowers for a friend, Luke Parkin, a 35-year-old composer who lives in Florida; extended-stay hotels for Parkin; prescriptions and cellphones.