Former Manchester Priest Convicted of Fraud Dismissed from Clergy by Pope Francis

NH1
April 7, 2017

http://www.nh1.com/news/former-manchester-priest-convicted-of-fraud-dismissed-from-clergy-by-pope-francis/


A former Manchester priest who was convicted of stealing nearly $300,000 from the local Diocese, a hospital and a deceased priest's estate was defrocked by the Pope.

In a decree dated Feb. 28, Pope Francis dismissed Edward Arsenault from the clerical state. Arsenault plead guilty to three theft charges in 2014.

"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 serve concurrent four- to 10-year sentences in the State Prison for two of the theft charges; two years were suspended from the minimum of each sentence.

Last April, he was granted parole on those two charges and began serving his third sentence. He's eligible for parole on that charge in 2018.

Arsenault held several senior positions in the New Hampshire diocese from 1999 to 2009, when he became president and CEO of Saint Luke Institute in Maryland, resigning in 2013.

Prosecutors said Arsenault billed the church for lavish meals and travel for himself and a male partner, cellphones, computer equipment and other expenses. He also wrote checks from Molan's estate.