Deacon fired, under investigation for misuse of funds at St. Clair Shores Church

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St Joan of Arc Parish has fired Deacon Mike Barthel due to an investigation being held by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.

Its alleged deacon Barthel has misused parish funds.

He will no longer serve as the deacon and his ability to present himself as a deacon has been restricted by the Archdiocese of Detroit, Monsignor G Michael Burgarin wrote on the churches’ homepage.

Barthel, a father of three, was ordained in 2008. He attended Wayne State University, Macomb Community College and Sacred Heart Major Seminary, according to the church website. He joined the church shortly after he was ordained and became the business manager in 2016. 

Neither the Macomb County Sheriff's Office nor the church have disclosed what occurred or how much money was involved.