In response to claims of misbehavior involving a former employee, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kokomo has opened an inquiry, according to a statement made public by Rev. The 5th of June saw Christopher Shocklee. The church, which is dedicated to ensuring the security and well-being of children and adolescents, expressed its worry regarding the allegations and confirmed that the alleged offender is no longer connected to the parish, the institution, or the diocese.
The statement highlighted the church's inability to comment on a person's prior employment in matters of employment, despite the fact that it did not reveal the former employee's identity. However, the Diocese of Lafayette, the St. Patrick Catholic Church, and the state's child abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-800-5556 have all requested that anybody with information on occurrences involving the former employee report them to law enforcement.
Investigation Launched into Misconduct Allegations at Kokomo Catholic Church
According to the article in WRTV, for anyone in need of additional assistance, Fr. Shocklee supplied Jackie Montrie's contact information; who works as the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana's victim assistance coordinator and holds the degrees of M.A., LMFT, and LMHC. He reassured the neighborhood that assistance would be available for anyone upset by the news and said that the Victim Assistance Coordinator might suggest counseling resources for particular reports.
Both St. Patrick's Church and the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana, declined to respond when contacted. Since no litigation or criminal complaints have been brought against them, WRTV, who got in touch with the parties involved, also declined to divulge the name of the person in question.
In the article shared in Kokomo Tribune, in his statement, Shocklee hinted at the probable nature of the claims while highlighting the critical nature of children's and adolescents' safety and well-being. He acknowledged the distress such news could cause for all parties concerned and promised parishioners of their support during this trying period. Shocklee highlighted their shared dedication to the work of the church, which entails valuing and safeguarding people of all ages. He urged people to pray for their well-being, invoked the Holy Spirit's guidance, and offered his own prayers for everyone impacted. He wished everyone involved blessings as he wrapped up his remarks.
Also Read:Former Church Secretary in Alabama Gets Jail Time for Stealing Over $90K
Other Crimes Committed in Churches
For stealing almost $90,000 from the church, Carmen Ramer Davis, a former secretary at the Brooklyn Congregational Methodist Church in Alabama, received an 18-month prison term. According to the article shared in Christianity Daily, Davis used a debit card to make unauthorized cash withdrawals and personal purchases while having access to the church's bank account. She also paid herself in cash and with cheques. When a bank letter informed them of insufficient finances, the church learned about her deeds. Davis gambled in Alabama and Mississippi with the stolen money. She also had to complete a year of supervised release after her prison term and pay the church $89,440 in reparations.
Church theft is a frequent issue that can be difficult to identify because it sometimes includes small amounts taken over a long period of time. Many churches lack the internal financial controls necessary to guard against theft. Earlier embezzlement cases include a church treasurer who stole $850,000 over eight years and a church bookkeeper who was sentenced to eight years in jail for stealing $3,000 as examples. Church leaders need to be on the lookout for such frauds, put precautions in place, and report fraud to insurance companies and local law enforcement. In Davis's case, the judge's punishment emphasized the harm done to the religious community and was intended to dissuade others from committing similar dishonest conduct.
Related Article: Pantano Baptist Church's Former Member Accused of Stealing Over $100,000 Fund
