Catholic Priest Who Took Part In Neo-Nazi Telegram Groups Says He Was Just ‘Roleplaying’, Avoids Jail

A Catholic priest in Wales has been sentenced to a community order after admitting sending violent and racist messages in an online neo-Nazi chatroom called ‘Aryan Reich Killers.’

Father Mark Rowles, 57, went by the name “skinheadlad1488” in neo-Nazi Telegram chatrooms and described himself as 16 years old. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sending menacing or offensive communications which included discussions around bombing mosques and shooting black people in the head.

He also wrote that “a few bullets to their brains would help” when referring to ethnic minorities in London.

During the police interview, Father Rowles told officers he was “not racist and that he joined the online groups because he was lonely and had a sexual fetish for role play.”

Not sure claiming you get sexual thrills out of roleplaying as a murderous Nazi teenager makes things any better, but OK.

If anything, that defence did seem to help though, as Father Rowles avoided jail and was instead sentenced to a 12-month community order, required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay £199 in costs, and adhere to a Criminal Behavior Order for three years, which I guess will involve restricting his internet use.

The Catholic Church in Wales said that Rowles had not been active in ministry since the allegations became public and is conducting its own internal review.

Rowles’s online activity was uncovered after counter terrorism investigators traced him through encrypted messaging on Telegram.

All in all, the priest is lucky to avoid jail time. It feels like others in Britain have been jailed for saying much tamer things online. Even still, sounds like Father Rowles needs to be stripped of his duties and permanently retired, in addition to the community service and fines he’ll have to pay.

Perfect example of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

For the priest who died and went to ‘hell’ and claims demons were singing Rihanna’s Umbrella on loop, click HERE. Seems legit.