Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Auction held at home of late priest who lived like a prince
National Catholic Reporter ^ | Aug 31, 2020

Posted on 09/24/2020 5:37:42 PM PDT by robowombat

Auction held at home of late priest who lived like a prince Aug 31, 2020

In this June 1, 2017 file photo, the Rev. Jonathan Wehrle appears in court for a preliminary hearing over embezzlement allegations at the 55th District Court in Mason, Mich. An auction is underway near Lansing at the mansion of Wehrle, a Catholic priest who was accused of embezzling millions of dollars before he died while awaiting trial. There are nearly 1,000 items for sale Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020 including about 100 pieces of furniture from the six-bedroom home.

WILLIAMSTON, MI — An auction was held Saturday at the Lansing-area mansion of a Catholic priest who was accused of embezzling millions of dollars before he died in March while awaiting trial.

There were nearly 1,000 items for sale, including about 100 pieces of furniture from the six-bedroom home, the Lansing State Journal reported.

“It’s about four sales in one with the amount of stuff that’s out here,” auctioneer Mel White said.

Fr. Jonathan Wehrle was pastor at St. Martha Church in Okemos.

He lived in a 12,000-square-foot mansion in Wheatfield Township, near Williamston, which included an indoor pool, an elevator, baby grand pianos, a pipe organ, three sets of washers and dryers and enough kitchen supplies to outfit a restaurant, the newspaper reported.

Wehrle was charged with six counts of embezzling $100,000 or more from his church, although auditors said more than $5 million was missing. Police discovered $63,000 stashed above ceiling tiles.

Wehrle's attorney claimed he had family money and an agreement with a bishop, now deceased, to use parish money for a private home. Wehrle died in March at age 69.

The Internal Revenue Service, an insurance company and others are seeking money.

“There are a lot of creditors lining up,” attorney Pat Gallagher said.


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: catholicchurch; corruption; crookedpriest; embezzlement
Fr Jonathan took no Vow of Poverty.
1 posted on 09/24/2020 5:37:42 PM PDT by robowombat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: robowombat

Did he get to take anything with him?


2 posted on 09/24/2020 5:41:13 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

He has only one wish, “that RBG b his lawyer in front of God”


3 posted on 09/24/2020 5:44:59 PM PDT by Kozy (new age haruspex; "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: robowombat; Gamecock; SaveFerris; PROCON; Rebelbase
and enough kitchen supplies to outfit a restaurant

He was experimenting with recipes for pea soup.

His motto: The Wehrle Peas Fund. Money for Wehrle Peas.

4 posted on 09/24/2020 5:46:21 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kozy

Indeed.


5 posted on 09/24/2020 5:46:40 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

It’s all about the booty so to speak.


6 posted on 09/24/2020 5:46:46 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

It’s almost like these priests are trying to destroy the Catholic Church on purpose.


7 posted on 09/24/2020 5:47:01 PM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

Years ago someone here on FR had the tagline “Pray for whirled peas”. I thought that was very clever.


8 posted on 09/24/2020 5:54:12 PM PDT by certrtwngnut (4- Do something,,,,even if it's wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: certrtwngnut
Good one. I can imagine split pea. Not a fan of lima bean, though.


9 posted on 09/24/2020 5:59:02 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido
Was this really his house? Wow. Looks different than bottom pic unless another angle is remarkably different. Has to be two different houses so maybe one source is incorrect.




10 posted on 09/24/2020 5:59:48 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

I wanna try the black bean and the mushroom barley.


11 posted on 09/24/2020 6:00:45 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: robowombat
the Rev. Jonathan Wehrle appears in court for a preliminary hearing over embezzlement allegations


12 posted on 09/24/2020 6:18:01 PM PDT by Ezekiel (The pun is mightier than the s-word. Goy to the World!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: robowombat

John 12:6

“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.”

(Regarding Judas Iscariot)

and

“Give your riches to the poor and they will carry them to heaven for you.” St. Augustine

He did not do this, but Augustine would no doubt indicate that you can’t run the riches through your pocket first!


13 posted on 09/24/2020 6:39:53 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: robowombat

The place probably looked FAB-U-LOUS!!!


15 posted on 09/25/2020 6:00:51 AM PDT by Doulos1 (Bitter Clinger Forever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson