BROOKFIELD - First their popular priest got in trouble with the law. Now, a large Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic church in Brookfield is facing financial trouble. Leaders at St. John Vianney parish are trying to figure out if the two problems are connected.

Parishioners at St. John Vianney would like to believe no one stole from their church.

"It's too early now to make any allegations," said Bill Hattendorf on his way into Saturday evening mass.

Interim pastor Father Paul Hartmann ordered an audit of the church's finances after Father Leonard Van Vlaenderen was busted for drug use. Van Vlaenderen lost his post after St. Francis police caught him with cocaine last December.

Trustees went over the books thoroughly and found the bottom line suspiciously below expectations. Hartmann told parishioners in a letter that there are 'grave concerns about cash intake.'

Did someone swipe the money?

"Certainly there's the possibility," Hartmann responded. "That's one among others."

TODAY'S TMJ4 asked: "Is it possible that Father Van Vlaenderen took money from the church?"

"Like I said," replied Hartmann. "There are a lot of possibilities to be looked at."

Hartmann said there may be no foul play, even though there were red flags raised in the internal audit. Based on financial forecasting and past giving, there is a cash shortage and there could be another explanation.

"There are different ways that giving in any church would go up or down," explained Hartmann. "There are some external circumstances. The IRS changed the manner in which people needed to give in order to take deductions."

St. John Vianney leaders plan further investigation to determine what happened. Outside professionals will step in including Archdiocese of Milwaukee officials, lawyers and possibly law enforcement, according to Hartmann's letter.

"We hope to get to the bottom of it and find out if there is any wrongdoing. Then, it's prosecuted or taken care of," said parishioner Bill Hattendorf.

Hartmann did not say how much money lapsed. However, it's not enough to force the church to cancel programs or make changes to their operation.