Omaha Archdiocese reports $83,000 theft from parish
OMAHA — The Omaha Archdiocese said Friday that more than $83,000 has been stolen from one of its parishes and that the parish pastor has been put on leave.
The archdiocese chancellor said a financial review uncovered the theft at St. Bridget Parish. That review continues, said the Rev. Joseph Taphorn, chancellor, so the figure of $83,000-plus is preliminary.
The review came as St. Bridget was being converted to a computerized accounting system — the last of the 150 parishes in the archdiocese to make the switch.
The review and other information were turned over to Omaha police on Friday. A review at St. Rose uncovered no theft, the archdiocese said.
Taphorn said the Rev. Rodney Adams, pastor at St. Bridget and St. Rose parishes, was put on leave and was helping with the investigation.
Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Adams on Friday were unsuccessful. Taphorn said Adams wouldn’t be commenting.
Taphorn stopped short of saying specifically that Adams had taken the money or had admitted doing so. Taphorn referred such questions to Omaha police.
The archdiocese news release said, however, that “there are no indications that any other individuals were involved.”
An Omaha police spokesman said he couldn’t comment yet or add anything to the archdiocese report.
The archdiocese said it would be seeking recovery of the money for St. Bridget and that archdiocesan officials had already met with parish leaders.
The Rev. Ralph O’Donnell has been named temporary administrator at both St. Bridge and St. Rose.
The archdiocese chancellor said a financial review uncovered the theft at St. Bridget Parish. That review continues, said the Rev. Joseph Taphorn, chancellor, so the figure of $83,000-plus is preliminary.
The review came as St. Bridget was being converted to a computerized accounting system — the last of the 150 parishes in the archdiocese to make the switch.
The review and other information were turned over to Omaha police on Friday. A review at St. Rose uncovered no theft, the archdiocese said.
Taphorn said the Rev. Rodney Adams, pastor at St. Bridget and St. Rose parishes, was put on leave and was helping with the investigation.
Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Adams on Friday were unsuccessful. Taphorn said Adams wouldn’t be commenting.
Taphorn stopped short of saying specifically that Adams had taken the money or had admitted doing so. Taphorn referred such questions to Omaha police.
The archdiocese news release said, however, that “there are no indications that any other individuals were involved.”
An Omaha police spokesman said he couldn’t comment yet or add anything to the archdiocese report.
The archdiocese said it would be seeking recovery of the money for St. Bridget and that archdiocesan officials had already met with parish leaders.
The Rev. Ralph O’Donnell has been named temporary administrator at both St. Bridge and St. Rose.
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