Parishioners support priest
Posted Apr 16, 2011 03:14:58 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church are standing behind their priest, Father Joe Leclair.
An investigation by the Ottawa Citizen has discovered Father Leclair racked up more than $490,000 in credit card debt and paid a good chunk of it back, while earning $24,000 annually as a priest. Most of his debt was incurred through the use of cash advances, including more than $130,00 in advances at Casino du Lac-Leamy.
During today’s Palm Sunday sermon, many followers refused to comment to protect LeClair’s image. Those who did were shocked, and felt targeted by the report.
“He’s a great man, it just makes me sick. So what if he has a gambling problem?” exclaimed one emotional church goer.
The Ottawa Diocese said the review of the church’s finances is ongoing. It also said that while Leclair is entitled to privacy as a citizen, “as a priest and pastor, he is called to the public witness of a lifestyle consistent with Gospel values and Church teaching.”
Auditors found $250,000 worth of cheques issued to Father Leclair from church accounts between 2006 and 2010.
The report says many of those transactions had no receipts or documentation to support them.
Leclair addressed his parish before an afternoon mass Saturday, acknowledging that he had a gambling problem and saying it has been dealt with.
He denied having ever stolen from the church, saying he was able to repay his debts with his own winnings and personal funds. He said he takes personal responsibility.
He also said he apologized fully and wholeheartedly but didn’t say whether he would continue to work full time at the parish.
