Former Somerset Pastor Sentenced To 7 Years For Theft

SOMERSET, NJ — A former pastor of St. Matthias Parish in Somerset was sentenced Wednesday to serve seven years in state prison for stealing more than $516,000 in parish funds for his own personal use.

Fr. Douglas J. Haefner, 68, previously pleaded guilty in May to one count of second-degree theft. Haefner must report to the Somerset County Jail on Aug. 19, where he will be taken into the custody of the Department of Corrections. The prosecutor agreed not to object to Fr. Haefner's application for Intensive Supervised Parole.

"This is not an easy day for anyone," said Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq., spokesperson and chancellor of the Diocese of Metuchen. "While we are grateful this matter has come to its conclusion and justice has been served, there are no winners in the outcome of this unfortunate case. We ask for your continued prayers for the parish community, the entire diocesan community, and for Fr. Haefner, who will serve out his sentence, carrying the heavy burden of his actions with him each day."

The parish began to notice financial issues in 2016 and several attempts were made to audit the funds. The audit was delayed several times at Haefner's request due to health problems and needing more time to prepare, according to the parish.

The audit finally began in 2018 and at the time Haefner approached Bishop James F. Checchio to say he had borrowed money from the parish, which he had hoped to repay. Haefner also said he was struggling with other personal problems, according to the parish.

The Diocese of Metuchen contacted the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and together they launched a two-year investigation.

Haefner resigned as pastor and his priestly faculties were withdrawn. He underwent evaluation and received treatment as the investigation unfolded, according to the parish.

An audit by the Prosecutor's Office found that $516,984.56 in parish funds was mishandled, according to the parish.

"Most assuredly, this entire matter emphasizes the need for strong fiscal procedures and protections in our Church. The faithful regularly entrust their financial support to our parishes, our Catholic schools, and our diocese in support of building the Kingdom of God," said Chancellor Kearns. "We must never take their stewardship for granted – and I can assure you, we do not – nor can we underestimate the magnitude of our responsibility to properly steward these gifts."

As part of the efforts that have been made to reinforce its fiscal procedures, the Diocese of Metuchen recently announced its partnership with NAVEX Global’s EthicsPoint, an independent third-party reporting system that will allow any person who suspects financial impropriety in the Diocese of Metuchen or in any of its parishes, schools or cemeteries, to file an anonymous and confidential report.

Reports can be made by calling the hotline 844-796-1296 or can be filed directly through the independent website: diometuchen.ethicspoint.com, the link to which is also available on the diocese’s website: diometuchen.org.

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