The former business manager who bilked more than $500,000 from the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John's has been sentenced to two years less a day for the crime. William Power, 63, pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Most of the money came from unauthorized cheques Power wrote to himself between 2003 and 2010 — 316 cheques in total. Power also topped up his pension by tens of thousands of dollars.

As part of the overall fraud, he also forged the signatures of priests on cheques and endorsed them himself, to collect more than $85,000.

"He hurt his family," provincial court Judge Robert Hyslop said in sentencing Power. "He hurt his community. He hurt his church." The judge also sentenced Power to two years probation.

Power was making $108,000 a year at the time he was charged.

He has agreed to pay back almost $590,000. Power has already repaid almost $100,000.

Crown prosecutor Lloyd Strickland noted that the real victims of Power's crime — other than the Episcopal Corporation itself — were parishioners who put cash into collection plates expecting it to be used for good purposes.

The Crown said one of the main aggravating factors in the Power case was his position of trust as business manager. Strickland said it was his knowledge and experience that made the frauds possible, and that he had engendered power and respect from others in the office who felt they couldn't question him. He said even the bank didn't question him.

The judge accepted a joint submission by the Crown and defence in issuing his sentence.

When Hyslop asked Power if he had anything to say prior to sentencing, Power replied: "I would like to apologize for my actions and apologize to anyone hurt by my actions."

Archbishop Martin Currie said the sentence was an "appropriate" one, and there would be no benefit to a more severe punishment.

"I think Mr. Power has already, perhaps, paid a heavy price," Currie said.

"I'm relieved that it's finally over."