Catholic Priest Convicted of Church Theft

Father Fortunato Pantisano, a 44-year-old priest from Fulham, London, has received a suspended prison sentence for stealing approximately £200 from his church's donation plates. Caught on CCTV, Pantisano was found guilty of theft by an employee after taking the money from the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, where he had served for over a decade. He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £200 in compensation along with £800 in court costs. The judge noted the 'high culpability' of his actions, emphasizing the trust placed in him by the church and indicating it is unlikely he will practice as a priest again. Despite denying the theft and claiming he could not recall the incident, the court found his excuses unconvincing as he had previously been observed taking the empty baskets. Pantisano's case raises significant concerns about trust and accountability within church leadership.