Brooklyn priest arrested, faces multiple charges

Published: 2003-10-15

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Police officers who went to Father John F. Johnston's Queens apartment Oct. 7 to arrest him for alleged harassing telephone calls got more than they bargained for. According to police, they also found an unregistered handgun, pornography and about $80,000 in cash in the apartment. The priest allegedly admitted to police that he had stolen the money over a period of years from the parish where he helped out with weekend Masses. "We're stunned by the allegations and charges," Brooklyn diocesan spokesman Frank DeRosa told Catholic News Service Oct. 14. "We never had any complaint or allegation against him." He said the 64-year-old priest was ordained for the Brooklyn Diocese in 1964 and served there for four years, but has not held a diocesan assignment since 1968, when he requested a release from parish duties so he could teach.

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