The Rev. Canon Edward R. Monk was arrested by the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office after his indictment by a Navarro County grand jury on December 19. He is charged with theft of over $300,000, fraud in the third degree, and credit card abuse, according to December 21 reports by the The NavCo Chronicle of Corsicana, Texas.
The former chairman of the board of directors of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, Monk is on administrative leave as rector at St. John’s in Corsicana, Texas, a post he held for 21 years.
According to the sheriff’s office, Monk was also a former member of the Corsicana Independent School District Board and resigned in November as vice chairman of the Navarro County Appraisal Board.
Corsicana Police Chief Robert Johnson told The NavCo Chronicle, “This investigation has been extensive, and although the suspect has been indicted, we are still in the process of gathering additional evidence through a joint effort led by the Corsicana Police Department, the Navarro County District Attorney’s office, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General.”
Monk also faces church disciplinary churches in the Diocese of Dallas. In November, TLC reported that he was charged with six Title IV counts of fraud and mismanagement of the financial accounts of St. John’s. He will face those charges at a hearing panel in February.
Chief Johnson said, “We would like to extend our gratitude to the vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church and Episcopal Diocese of Dallas for their cooperation throughout this process.”
Senior Warden Shellie O’Neal informed the St. John’s community on December 20 via email: “We regret to inform you that Ed Monk was indicted yesterday by the Navarro County grand jury on charges of theft involving church funds.
“This is a deeply difficult moment for our parish, and we ask for your prayers as we navigate the legal process and work to rebuild trust.”
O’Neal added that vestry and church officials are “fully cooperating with authorities and has taken steps to review and strengthen our financial processes.”
More information is expected after further investigation.
Neva Rae Fox is a communications professional with extensive Episcopal experience, serving the boards of The Living Church Foundation, Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, Episcopal Community Services of New Jersey, and others.
