Catholic Deacon Accused Of Pilfering Poor Box Of Suburban Detroit Church Known For It’s Mafia Members

Catholic deacon Mike Barthel of Roseville, Michigan is in serious hot water. He is under investigation for misusing Saint Joan of Arc parish funds by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department is the least of Barthel’s problems. Barthel needs to be more concerned about the parishioners of Saint Joan of Arc. Elite members of Detroit’s Italian mafia attend mass at the parish. It was also the parish of convicted wife murderer and dungeon sex aficionado Bob Bashara.

Monsignor G. Michael Bugarin wrote in a letter to parish members:

It is with sadness that I must share some news with you regarding our parish community. Mike Barthel is under investigation by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office for possible misuse of parish funds.

Because of this development, he will no longer serve as the deacon at our parish.

Barthel is also a father of three children. Catholic Deacons are lay priests or assistants to the priests who can marry.

The disgraced deacon attended Wayne State University, Macomb Community College, and Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Barthel served as a deacon for the past decade. He also became the parish’s business manager in 2016. He biography has since been deleted from Saint Joan of Arc’s website.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office nor the Archdiocese of Detroit has disclosed what occurred or how much money was involved.

Monsignor G. Michael Bugarin also realizes Barthel is in a world of trouble. He concluded the letter to the parish with:

Please join me in praying for all those involved including Deacon Mike.

Barthel is a 1980 graduate of Carl Brablec High School.  He was a former member of the Roseville Fire Department’s reserve unit and has also been serving as a chaplain for the Roseville Fire Department.