Bulawayo Catholic Priest In Holy Heist? Priest Called For Questioning After USD15K Disappear Over Night
A recent theft at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Kumalo, Bulawayo, has led to police questioning one of its assistant priests, Father Edwards.
The Roman Catholic Church was shocked to discover that US$15,000 had disappeared from a safe located in the priest-in-charge’s bedroom. Father Aurelio Ayala, the priest-in-charge, confirmed that he had filed a report with the police after he found out about the missing funds on 28th January 2023.
Father Ayala, who is also under suspicion, told Sunday News that his assistant priest had been called in for questioning, but he denied that the assistant was under any suspicion.
“I can confirm that US$15,000 belonging to the church was stolen from a safe in my bedroom. I reported the matter to the police and investigations are underway. I can also confirm that my assistant Fr Edwards was recently taken for enquiry by the police although this is not necessarily to say he is the suspect. He was questioned and released,” he stated.
The theft has not only raised questions about the church’s financial management but has also resulted in accusations of adultery against Father Ayala.
He dismissed the allegations as false and a smear campaign against his image. “I have heard those allegations but they are not true. People started peddling them after the money disappeared. I am not involved in any adultery or whatsoever relationship, the allegations are false,” he clarified.
The church members are shocked to learn that the money was kept in Father Ayala’s bedroom while the church struggled to pay water bills that amount to millions in Zimbabwean dollars.
The theft and subsequent allegations have brought the church under scrutiny, and many are now questioning the management of its finances and moral standing of its leaders.
