Orlando Priest Took $500,000 in Gifts, Cash from Elderly Woman
Rev. Frank Mutsko, a Catholic priest who'd been working in the Diocese of Orlando took $500,000 in cash, a car, two homes, and other gifts from an elderly parishioner of St. TImothy's outside of Ocala. Now, Carol Brinati, spokesperson for the Diocese of Orlando, stated that Mutsko broke no rules in accepting the gifts. In all likelihood, he didn't break any criminal laws either. That's not the point. A priest, like a doctor, a counselor, an attorney needs to be able to know when receiving a gift is appropriate. A cardinal rule in the priesthood is to avoid giving scandal. That means avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. You can't tell me taking that amount of gifts from a parishioner doesn't appear wrong. The family of the elderly woman is crying foul. They believe the priest took advantage of her. Priests are in a unique position of authority and power in the Catholic community. The Catholic faith teaches that the priest's place in the community is in persona Cristiwhich is Latin for in the person of Christ. That's a lot of power and with it comes the requisite amount of responsibility to not abuse that power and authority.