A Catholic pastor from Ballenstedt in the Harz has been self-reported because he has taken 120,000 euros from the parish church. The man justified his actions by saying that he had been cheated.
I fell for cybercriminals and got carried away to transfer money to them several times, "said a personal statement by the man who published the Diocese of Magdeburg on Sunday.
He also took funds from the community, said the Catholic pastor. "I am so sorry that I betrayed your trust in this way." He would pay back the money and repair the damage. The bishopric declared that the man had stolen money since the summer.
Bishop Gerhard Feige said: "No pastor, no church employee may steal funds intended for the parish, misappropriated and must pay back everything and bear the consequences of state and church law."
Feige had released the man from the chairmanship of the parish council. All financial powers now lie with the parish council. Further disciplinary action could follow.
Until the pastor repaid the money, the bishopric jumped in financial distress, it was said. The parish should be able to continue the pastoral service to the people.