Fraud

The Latest

The bishop of Nigeria’s Diocese of Lokoja, Bishop Martin Dada Olorunmolu, has withdrawn ordination certificates to four men he ordained as deacons on July 12, 2024, after he was presented with documents claiming they were qualified for holy orders but were allegedly forged.

‘I was deceived’: Bishop in Nigeria revokes ordination of deacons due to fraud

Jul 31, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop Martin Dada Olorunmolu was presented with documents showing the men were qualified for holy orders, but the papers were... Read more

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu (right) waits prior to the start of a consistory during which 20 new cardinals are to be created by the pope, on Aug. 27, 2022, at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Vatican court convicts Cardinal Becciu, sentences him to 5 years in jail for embezzlement

Dec 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Five other defendants in the "Trial of the Century" received similar sentences. Read more

Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

What’s next in the Vatican’s trial of Cardinal Becciu

Nov 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

After almost two and a half years, the Vatican’s “trial of the century,” in which the disgraced Cardinal Angelo Becciu... Read more

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‘Wolves in sheep’s clothing’: California diocese warns about imposter priests 

Oct 23, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The two unidentified men are falsely using the names of actual clergymen from Mexico. Read more

Deborah True was investigated on suspicion of embezzling church funds at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Florida. Police say the former pastor, Father Richard “Dick” Murphy, who died on March 22, 2020, was also involved in funneling money from the parish.

Florida priest and parish administrator embezzled $1.5 million from parish, police say

Sep 22, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The Diocese of Palm Beach contacted the police department in December 2021, raising concerns about a fraudulent bank account and... Read more

Former diocesan employee charged with tax, wire fraud

Jun 8, 2020

A former employee for the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida has been charged with wire fraud and tax fraud, the... Read more

Portland diocese to engage third-party system for reporting ethics violations

Jun 25, 2019

The Diocese of Portland announced Tuesday it will be using a third-party reporting system for violations of its standards of... Read more

Erwin Mena. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department

Bizarre details emerge as 'fake priest' gets busted in LA

Feb 4, 2016

By Mary Farrow

For months, Erwin Mena donned vestments, called himself “Padre,” and convinced Southern California Catholics that he was a priest, police... Read more