Priest Stole $98K From Downingtown Catholic Parish: DA

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A priest at a Chester County Catholic Church is facing numerous felony counts of theft-related crimes after allegedly stealing more than $98,000 from the church he preached at.

Father Joseph McLoone, 56, of Downingtown, has been charged with 13 counts of felony charges tied to theft, as well as six counts of misdemeanor theft charges.

According to Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, over six years beginning in 2011, McLoone diverted funds from the St. Joseph's Parish in Downingtown to a bank account he created.

In total, authorities allege roughly $125,000 in donations were deposited into that account. Some of those funds were recovered by authorities.

McLoone is accused of taking $98,405, the DA's office said.

Most notably, authorities allege McLoone stole $39,543 from All Souls' Day donations. All Souls' Day celebrates the souls of all Christians who have died, follows All Saints' Day, and practitioners of Christianity typically remember deceased relatives on the day.

He also gave himself a raise by double the amount of money he collected from weddings, funerals, and masses held at the church, the DA's office alleges.

McLoone allegedly used the stolen funds to support his lifestyle, which authorities say included a beach house in Ocean City, New Jersey, traveling, dining, and apparently spending thousands on men he was sexually involved with.

He was removed from the church in early 2018 after being named the pastor in 2011. He replaced William Lynn, who was removed after being charged with child endangerment after now-defrocked priest Edward Avery was sentenced for sexually assaulting an altar boy in church in 1999.

McLoone was released on $50,000 unsecured bail and has a preliminary hearing slated for Sept. 18, court records show.

Authorities said anyone who may have more information on these alleged crimes should contact Chester County Detective Bernard Martin at (610) 344-6866.