Chesco Pastor Had 'Inappropriate Relationships', Misused Funds

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — The pastor of a Chester County church has resigned after allegations he misused funds and had "inappropriate relations" with adults, according to a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Monsignor Joseph McLoone, 55, a pastor at St. Joseph's Parish in Downingtown, remains under investigation by the Archdiocese.

The precise nature of McLoone's "inappropriate relationships" activities are not clear and were not elaborated upon by church officials. However, Ken Gavin, Chief Communications Officer with the Archdiocese, said that the misconduct did not involve minors.

The charge that was clarified was the misuse of church funds. McLoone opened a bank account in Nov. 2011 in the name of St. Joseph's but did not put the account on the parish books, according to church officials. Because activity on that account could not regularly be reviewed by the parish finance council, it did not have proper oversight. When the church discovered the account in Feb. 2018, it was immediately closed.

An investigation by the church revealed that deposits consisted of both donations to the church and revenue generated by the parish, totaling more than $110,000. Archdiocese officials said that they did not think that Sunday collections and school and Prep tuition fees were a part of the account.

Some of the money in the account - around $1,500 - was used by McLoone for "inappropriate" personal expenses that involved relationships with adults, Gavin said. The expenditures and ATM withdrawals are still being investigated, and officials said McLoone is being given the chance to explain what he used that money for.

McLoone, who had been placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese after the investigation, recently submitted a letter of resignation.

Gavin added that the church would seek restitution for the parish for the misused funds.

The church said that police have not been notified, and that the matter remains under internal investigation.

"Pending ongoing review, further action will be considered including referral to law enforcement," Gavin said.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Editor's note: a previous version of this story stated incorrectly that $51,000 was used for personal expenses; in fact, around $1,500 was used.

Patch file photo