Investigation clears former Quebec treasurer

The diocese of Quebec has cleared its former treasurer, Rev. Rodney Clark, of any wrongdoing after completing an investigation into what it described in December 2006 as “significant accounting irregularities,” and said that the matter has been resolved.

In a statement posted on the diocesan Web site, Archbishop Bruce Stavert, who is also president of the Church Society of the diocese of Quebec, said issues connected with the audit of the books of account of the Society “have been fully resolved, with the welcome collaboration” of Mr. Clark. The archbishop also expressed his regret “for (the) inconvenience caused to the Rev. Rodney Clark by how long this process has taken.”

Archbishop Stavert declined to elaborate on the results of the investigation. But he underscored that “no charges of any kind” are being filed against Mr. Clark, nor is he under discipline.

Now living in Montreal, Mr. Clark is considered “a priest on leave of absence from the diocese of Quebec,” added the archbishop. Mr. Clark, who had also served as archdeacon of Quebec’s North Shore deanery, could not be reached for comment.

Earlier, diocesan chancellor (legal adviser) David Blair said the diocese launched an investigation because of “some concerns just about the way the accounting was being handled and what was going on within the accounting for the Church Society.” The announcement of Mr. Clark’s resignation and the investigation were posted on the diocesan Web site last January.

The Church Society funds mission and Christian education in the diocese of Quebec; it also provides about one-third of the funds to support the bishop and the administration of the diocese. In recent years, its mission work has focused on assisting non-self supporting parishes.