CANADA
Ottawa Citizen
BY ANDREW DUFFY, OTTAWA CITIZEN JANUARY 20, 2014
OTTAWA — The Archdiocese of Ottawa has opened the door to Father Joe LeClair’s eventual return to the pulpit.
The charismatic priest, universally known as Father Joe, pleaded guilty in an Ottawa courtroom Monday to fraud and theft charges: he admitted pocketing money from the collection plate and taking other church revenues to feed a runaway gambling addiction.
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast issued a statement after LeClair entered his plea, making it clear the Catholic Church will welcome him back as an active priest once his criminal sentence is served.
A sentencing hearing is to continue Tuesday to determine LeClair’s penalty.
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