‘Unauthorized’ bank account found at Winchendon parish

During a routine audit review, which takes place when there is a change in parish leadership, auditors identified an unauthorized bank account at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon, according to Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the diocese.
When the auditors reviewed the books this fall, following the sudden departure of Father Michael Clements at the end of August, nearly $200,000 in spending over the past three years was identified, according to Paul Schasel, director of fiscal affairs for the Diocese of Worcester. The spending included “significant repair work which had been needed on the church building.” The review “also identified a bank account which was not authorized and expenses which were not clearly categorized in order to determine how they benefitted the parish.”  
On Sunday, Dec. 16, Bishop McManus; Father Carlos Ruiz, the new administrator of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, and Mr. Schasel, held a parish meeting. Bishop McManus told parishioners that he is attempting to get explanations of the spending from Father Clements. Mr. Schasel noted that, “in all likelihood, a forensic audit will be conducted for a proper understanding of the spending.”
“If anything illegal is identified it will be turned over to the authorities, and the diocesan insurance provider, Catholic Mutual, will be contacted to cover any potential losses,” Mr. Schasel said.
Father Ruiz, who was ordained in 2015, was appointed administrator of the parish in early September. He is working closely with the parish bookkeeper, finance committee and diocesan office of fiscal affairs to be sure that all current spending is appropriate.
 Father Clements, ordained in 2012, was the administrator of Immaculate Heart of Mary beginning in 2015 and named pastor in 2017.