Canadian priest investigated for 'gambling away' £260,000 of refugees' money

A priest in Canada has allegedly gambled away about £266,000 given to him to look after by the relatives of refugees, the Canadian press is reporting.

About seven or eight families who belong to St. Joseph's Chaldean Catholic Church gave Father Amer Saka the money to safeguard for refugees who were due to arrive in Canada, according to Bishop Emanuel Shelato, head of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Canada.

"They deposited it for their loved ones [and] he was supposed to return it when their relatives came," Shelato told the Toronto Sun newspaper.

"They did not give this money as a donation for their church. Those people are upset now that money is not there anymore," he said. "They trusted him, this money was not for him. It was to be given back to the refugees."

Police in Ontario, Canada, have confirmed that the priest of a small Chaldean Catholic church is under investigation.

"I can confirm that there is a fraud investigation after we received a complaint from the Catholic church," police constable Melissa Duncan told the Toronto Sun. "The investigation is ongoing. As with any fraud investigation it can take some time because there are various components to the investigation."

The refugees are believed to have been fleeing from Iraq.

Shelato confirmed to the Vice news website that he contacted police, placed Saka in an institute for priests suffering addiction and mental health issues, took over the congregation for two weeks, and has since sent a replacement priest.