Dallas diocese’s panel recommends priest’s removal for allegedly stealing from congregation

[Episcopal News Service] A disciplinary hearing panel in the Diocese of Dallas has recommended an Episcopal priest there be deposed, or removed from the priesthood, after concluding he had violated church canons by engaging in financial misconduct and allegedly defrauding his congregation.

The Rev. Edward Monk also has been charged separately with three felonies in a pending criminal case alleging he stole more than $300,000 from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Corsicana, Texas, where he had served as rector since 2003.

The Rev. Edward Monk, who has served as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Corsicana, Texas, since 2003, was placed on leave while facing allegations of financial fraud. Photo: St. John’s

Police initiated their criminal investigation in July 2024, when St. John’s members reported suspicious financial activity. The Diocese of Dallas also launched an investigation into the matter. Monk also had served as chair of the Nashotah House Theological Seminary’s board of directors until he resigned in August, after church leaders and police began investigating the theft allegations.

The diocesan investigator reported finding that Monk had opened unauthorized bank accounts and routed money to other accounts, obtained a credit card under a church treasurer’s Social Security number and “used this card to conduct a multi-year spending spree that included personal trips.”

Monk, who denied any wrongdoing, faced a diocesan hearing panel in the disciplinary case on May 27 under the process outlined by The Episcopal Church’s Title IV disciplinary canons for clergy.

A day later, on May 28, the hearing panel filed its order, saying Monk had violated church canons and standards of conduct and was guilty of “conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy” for six financial infractions, including the misappropriation of church funds for personal use.

The panel’s recommendation that Monk face deposition was forwarded to Dallas Bishop George Sumner, Monk and the complainants. Each will have opportunities to respond to the order before Sumner acts on the panel’s recommendation.

Navarro County court records indicate that Monk’s criminal case has been scheduled for a trial in October.