Amer Saka, who works as a priest in St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church, located in London, Ontario, Canada, has lost $500,000-CAD($380,000-USD,£270,000) due to his serious gambling problem reported by The Star.
Amer Saka contacted his bishop, Emanuel Shaleta and informed him that he had lost all of the money raised by the church. The money, which was intended for Northern Iraqi refugees who have been displaced from their homes due to ISIS to be housed in London, Ontario.
The Chaldean Catholic Church first began running in Iraq and then as more Iraqi's moved to Ontario a new catholic church was founded in the area.
The $500,000 was expected to be used to help over 80 refugees settle in London, Ontario, as it has been reported that it costs $6,000 per refugee, which is the amount of financial backing a refugee needs to live in the city. Many now have to be turned back around to their war-torn villages due to the lack of funds.
There is currently an independent financial crimes probe occurring in the church and priest Amer Saka is now voluntarily attending a mental health clinic to combat his gambling problem.