Being a priest or a pastor is a sacred position created and instituted by the risen Lord Jesus Christ Himself and passed on to His church. With it comes the responsibility of shepherding the Lord’s flock, ensuring they are living a life of faith geared toward pleasing Him. They are to comfort and pray for the sick, counsel those who are lost along the way, and help folks prepare for their eternity after this life ends. They also hear your confession and give absolution, so you have to be able to trust your priest.
Unfortunately, there are sick, evil, twisted people out there who have made it their life’s goal to work as the devil’s stooge and soil the office of priest. Or at least try to.
Such is the case of Malin Rostas, 45, of New York, who according to Yahoo News, was taken into custody by deputies on April 10, not long after he tried to burglarize a Moreno Valley church. Despicable to the core.
Authorities said the black sedan Rostas was driving matched the description of a vehicle associated with several reported burglaries. Rostas was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Centr on an outstanding felony warrant in Pennsylvania, the sheriff’s office said.
He is accused of stealing $15,500 in cash from a home in Adams County in May 2022, WGAL reported. Rostas’ ruse involved him posing as a Catholic priest named “Father Martin” in order to gain access to offices and rectories from which he would steal money or valuables, according to the Diocese of Sacramento.
According to church officials, Rostas, who used the alias Moyse Lingurar when he wasn’t referring to himself as Father Martin, did his homework in order to convince the clergy of his identity. He was able to convince staff members that he was a priest by researching the targeted parish and learning the names of priests and other church personnel.
Rostas managed to convince staff members that he was a priest who was researching the parish so that he could gain access to information about the other priests and church personnel. Authorities believe he stole $900 from another church located in Queens, $500 from one in Houston, and over $1,700 from another in the state of Oregon.
“Additional charges will be filed for the attempted burglary in Moreno Valley,” officials revealed.
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The investigation is currently ongoing.
Who knows how long this man has been pulling this scheme, victimizing churches and taking away much needed revenue to fund their ministries and reach people not only with the gospel to save their souls, but also programs like food pantries, financial assistance for those who have hit rock bottom, and many others.
Someone who steals from a church is truly below pond scum.
And yet, despite all of that, if he repents and turns in faith to Jesus Christ, he can be forgiven and redeemed. I sincerely hope and pray that happens for Rostas. Clearly, he’s sick in the soul and in desperate need of salvation.
Thankfully, the love of God knows no bounds.