In June at least 69 of 167 diocesan priests together with some lay groups, called on Leteng to resign.

But, in recent weeks, some priests on Flores Island have been coming to the defence of the bishop.

Father John Mustaram, from St. Gregory Parish in Borong, defended Leteng in a statement at a wedding mass that has since gone viral on social media.

He called accusations of misappropriation - and of him having an affair - slander and warned other priests and lay Catholics not to speak against the bishop.

Another priest reportedly backed the bishop by accusing local media of playing up the row.

On a local news website, Floresa.co, a priest calling himself Father Rustam Effendy said the publicity was a plot by non-Catholics to destroy the church.

Representatives of the priests, accompanied by a bishops' conference official met Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi on June 16, seeking his help for a complete overhaul and transparency from Leteng regarding how things are run in the diocese.

A bishops' conference source told ucanews.com previously that the Vatican would make a decision on the matter after the nuncio met Leteng on July 7.

However, the source said on July 19, that the Vatican has yet to make a decision and that the complaint against the bishop had to go through proper channels.

Leteng has not responded to several requests for comment.

Source

• UCANEWS.COM
• Vatican Radio
• Image: matakotolik

As a result of an investigation by the church's general auditor it is alleged that approximately $342,000 in church funds have been misappropriated.

One pastor from Eu'a, one from Vava'u and the others from Nuku'alofa remain with their parishes but on suspended duties. None of the ministers has accepted the allegations.

The Church's Director, Reverend Dr Mohenoa Puloka, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program that as a result, none of its ministers will now be allowed to be involved in dealing with church money, but he agrees the damage has already been done.

"It will cause a lot of people to question the fitness and reliability of the clergy," he said.

"It is bad publicity for the church."

Puloka says despite "firm evidence" of their actions, the ministers involved say the discrepancy resulted from a computing error.

He says with at least one case dating back to 2005, it is so disappointing.

"Part of my reason for doing this now, is that part of it is that it's my moral responsibility. Also to acknowledge the fact that we have to respect the people. It's their money that were entrusted to these clergy and they were not doing a good job on that so we have to do that. Over all our years this is a big shakeup in the church."

Source

• Radio Australia Pacific Beat
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Moralcompass.blog.com