Former president of St. Luke Institute to serve 4-year prison term for theft

February 03, 2014

A former chancellor of the Manchester, New Hampshire diocese, who last year resigned from his post as president of the St. Luke Institute, has been sentenced to a 4-year prison term after pleading guilty to theft charges.

Msgr. Edward Arsenault admitted to stealing funds from the Manchester diocese, from the estate of a fellow priest, and from a hospital where he had served on the board. Under a plea-bargaining agreement he will serve 4 years in a New Hampshire prison.

As chancellor of the New Hampshire diocese, Msgr. Arsenault was the top aid to Bishop John McCormack at the height of the sex-abuse scandal. Later he become the chief executive of the St. Luke Institute, the Maryland facility that has treated many priests charged with sexual abuse. He resigned from that post when it was made public that he was the focus on an investigation prompted by reports of financial misconduct and an inappropriate relationship with another adult.

 

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Further information:

• Former NH Diocese Leader to Plead Guilty to Theft (AP)
• Ex-Diocese official expected to plead guilty to stealing money from hospital, priest's estate (Union Leader)