Diocese: Andrews priest took money from church

The bishop of the San Angelo Catholic Diocese has alerted parishioners in an Andrews church that a priest had been taking church funds for personal use.

In a letter written on Jan. 16 to the parishioners of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Andrews, the Rev. Michael Pfeifer said that the Rev. Joey Faylona was using “parish funds for personal improper expenditures.”

The discrepancy was found during a financial audit of the church that showed a number of “financial irregularities,” Pfeifer wrote.

The financial audit is a regular routine of the Diocese when churches change pastors.

Faylona was going to be relocated to San Miguel Arcangel in Midland but has decided to forgo his relocation and has requested to spend time in a spiritual-pastoral renewal program, Pfeifer said in the letter. Pfeifer wrote to the parishioners that Faylona is reimbursing the parish for the missing funds.

Pfeifer was not available for additional comments as of press time.

Chief Bud Jones of the Andrews Police Department said the department has not been called to investigate the situation and cannot intervene unless the diocese invites them to do so.

@OAcityLife