Diocese of Little Rock suspends priest arrested for animal cruelty

A Catholic priest in Arkansas has been suspended from his place following an arrest on animal cruelty fees. 

Fr. Charles Thessing, who serves because the priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in West Memphis and Sacred Coronary heart Church in Crawfordsville, was arrested Tuesday on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Jail information from the Crittenden County Jail reveal that he was launched from custody that very same day. 

In line with a information report from native information station WREG, police obtained a search warrant for Thessing’s residence after receiving a video tip from Animal Management on Friday. Whereas the contents of the video haven’t been launched, officers who arrived at Thessing’s home discovered two cats who appeared to have been drowned in a water tank. Animal traps have been additionally found on the property. 

Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock introduced in a Wednesday letter to parishioners of the 2 church buildings the place Thessing serves as pastor that the priest has been suspended. “As you recognize, on Feb. 11 your pastor, Father Charles Thessing, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. The allegations are disturbing, and as your bishop I take them very significantly,” he wrote.

Whereas stressing that he revered Thessing’s “rights to due course of and the presumption of innocence,” Taylor famous that he had “decided that Father Thessing can not proceed serving as an efficient pastor on your parishes” and that he had subsequently knowledgeable the priest that “he’s suspended from functioning as your pastor, and that his colleges are suspending the result of this prison course of.”

Taylor indicated that he arrived at his choice following “a lot prayer and consideration” in addition to consultations with members of the parishes and “broader group.” He acknowledged that “Father Thessing has many supporters — many whose lives he has positively impacted” and is “well-loved by many for bringing them and their households nearer to God.” He additionally urged the priest’s “supporters and detractors alike” to “hold him, your parishes and your college in your prayers.”

Taylor concluded the letter by informing parishioners of the church buildings that he supposed to rejoice plenty for them this weekend as he contemplated “plans for the longer term management of each of your parishes,” telling them, “I stay up for being current with and accompanying you throughout this troublesome time.” 

In a press release shared with WREG, West Memphis Animal Shelter Director Kerry Facello vowed that “Animal cruelty circumstances are a high precedence, and we are going to all the time implement the regulation to guard the animals in our care.” 

Aggravated animal cruelty is a Class D felony in Arkansas, which means that Thessing may face a jail sentence of as much as six years if discovered responsible. Thessing may be ordered to carry out as much as 400 hours of group service and bear a psychological analysis.