Cases like these show the need for parish financial councils, as mandated by Canon Law (537). Looks like Stravinskas may be able to explain what happened to the funds, but it's not a good thing at all to have to investigate, or to break the trust between a pastor and his congregation, even if there was no fraud...
Finance councils are a waste of time unless the Canon is updated to require two signatures on every check above a certain amount (say $10,000), and one of those signatures have to be from a lay member of the council.
This priest has virtually drained the coffers of a parish for his own benefit (a wine rack?). These "floaters" (guys ordained for one diocese but who move around from place to place) should raise red flags with bishops, but, for some reason, they don't.
**Cases like these show the need for parish financial councils, as mandated by Canon Law (537).**
Amen! Our Admin Council has to approve anything over 1,000 dollars. They know what is happening in the parish!