New York ? A Roman Catholic priest pleaded guilty to grand larceny Friday for financing a lavish lifestyle of vacations, country clubs and fancy clothes with more than $800,000 looted from his parish.

Attorneys for Monsignor John Woolsey, pastor of the Church of St. John the Martyr, entered the plea as part of a deal in which the judge promised him a minimum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum of five years.

Woolsey, 68, told the court that although he believed he was entitled to spend some of the money at his discretion, he acknowledged spending a significant amount that exceeded what was legal.