The community is in shock.
A Catholic priest in Arkansas, Father Charles Thessing, has been removed from his pastoral responsibilities following his arrest on charges of aggravated animal cruelty. Thessing, who previously served at St. Michael’s Church in West Memphis and Sacred Heart Church in Crawfordsville, was taken into custody after a police probe uncovered evidence of animal cruelty. The investigation was sparked by a video from Animal Control, which led authorities to search his residence. There, officers discovered two drowned cats in a water tank and multiple animal traps on the property.
This event led Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock to announce Thessing’s suspension. In a letter to the faithful, Bishop Taylor expressed his profound concern over the allegations and stressed the seriousness of the situation. While recognizing Thessing’s right to a fair legal process, the bishop noted that the nature of the charges made it impossible for him to continue serving effectively as a pastor. Taylor’s decision came after discussions with both supporters and critics within the community.
Despite the charges, Bishop Taylor acknowledged the positive influence Thessing had on many individuals, particularly in fostering closer family ties with God. The bishop also called on the community to pray for the priest as well as the affected parishes. He assured parishioners that he would lead future masses and oversee plans for the churches’ leadership.
In Arkansas, aggravated animal cruelty is a Class D felony, and if convicted, Thessing could face a prison sentence of up to six years. Additionally, he may be required to complete up to 400 hours of community service and undergo a psychological evaluation. Kerry Facello, director of the West Memphis Animal Shelter, underscored the shelter’s commitment to prioritizing animal cruelty cases and enforcing laws designed to protect animals.