FLORIDA
National Catholic Reporter
Peter Feuerherd | Mar. 28, 2017
A Florida pastor in ecclesial limbo, even after being cleared by a state attorney’s investigation into taking financial advantage of an elderly parishioner, is being supported by parishioners who want him reinstated.
Fr. Christopher Senk, 67, pastor of St. Isabel Parish on Sanibel Island in the Diocese of Venice, Florida, was put on paid administrative leave Oct. 28 of last year by Bishop Frank Dewane until a church investigation is completed. Senk’s case is being examined by the Vatican.
A sister of Marion McIntyre accused Senk of taking advantage of a friendship which included donations of thousands of dollars through which he personally benefitted. The case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s office and the state attorney for two years. In April 2016 the state attorney decided not to press charges in the case.
“We had such a wonderful parish,” Shirley Bohnert, a St. Isabel parishioner for the past 20 years and supporter of Senk, pastor for the past 14 years, told NCR. “There’s just no joy now. Now it’s just like a pall over the parish, like someone has died,” she said.
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