Pastor allegedly stole church funds to gamble

The long-serving pastor of a suburban parish is under investigation for allegedly using church money to feed a gambling habit, according to a New York Roman Catholic Church official.

The Rev. Patrick Dunne of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in White Plains took a significant amount of church money and has been permanently removed from the parish, the chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York said.

The chancellor, Monsignor William Belford, told members of the parish Sunday that the Westchester County district attorney's office is investigating.

There was no immediate comment Sunday from the priest. His home telephone mailbox was not accepting messages Sunday.