By Mark Mueller
The Star-Ledger
June 30, 2009
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/morris_county_priest_under_fbi.html
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| Monsignor Patrick Brown offering Mass at the Morris County Jail in March 2007. Brown, who is under FBI investigation for his spending practices, was reinstated today by the Diocese of Paterson. Photo by Jim Pathe/The Star-Ledger |
STIRLING -- Nearly a month after he was removed from the ministry, a well-known county pastor was reinstated by the Diocese of Paterson today amid an ongoing FBI probe into his handling of parish finances.
Monsignor Patrick Brown, 58, arrived back at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Stirling around noon, said Michael Critchley, a lawyer representing Brown in the criminal investigation.
"He couldn't be happier," Critchley said. "To be removed from something you've given your entire life to for 30 years -- and having the prospect of it being taken away -- is frightening, and for him to be reinstated to his priestly duties, his prayers have been answered."
Bishop Arthur Serratelli, who had been traveling in Greece, signed off on Brown's reinstatement during a phone conversation with the diocese's vicar general, Monsignor James Mahoney, said Kenneth Mullaney, a lawyer for the diocese. Mahoney met with Brown Monday."The bishop was fully informed and gave his authorization," Mullaney said.
Though the federal investigation continues, Mullaney called Brown's reinstatement the right thing to do given the pace of the probe.
"We have been informed by his lawyers that any resolution of this matter is months away," Mullaney said. "We just don't think it's fair that he should remain in limbo pending a resolution of this matter. Simple as that."
The lawyer said he had "full faith" the FBI would find no wrongdoing by Brown, who has long served as a chaplain at the Morris County Jail and at county police and fire departments. Brown was appointed pastor of St. Vincent de Paul 17 years ago.
He was placed on leave June 4, a day after two FBI agents alerted the diocese the pastor was under investigation for how he spent parish funds. The diocese immediately assumed control of St. Vincent's finances and will maintain control of the books until the probe is completed, Mullaney said today.
The scope of the FBI probe is unclear, and the agency has declined to comment.
Mullaney has said the FBI subpoenaed St. Vincent's bank records and signaled its intention to interview the church's finance council, a lay committee that provides guidance and oversight on financial matters. The diocese is fully cooperating with records requests made by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, he said.
Separately, the FBI subpoenaed records from a Morristown jewelry store where Brown frequently bought gifts for parish volunteers and for teachers at St. Vincent's school. The gifts ranged in price from $79 to $400, said Critchley, the criminal lawyer.
As pastor of a relatively wealthy parish, Brown commands large sums of money, and his supporters say he has been generous with it. Mullaney has said the FBI asked about donations from St. Vincent to poorer parishes. Brown also has been known to help financially struggling parishioners make mortgage and tuition payments, Mullaney said, calling such expenditures appropriate for a parish priest.
But Brown has also drawn attention for his frequent travels to Europe, his honorary membership in an exclusive Summit country club and his car, a leased Audi A6 that his lawyers say he pays for out of his modest stipend.
Brown has declined to comment.
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