The Rev. William N. Naughton, 61, pleaded guilty to theft by deception on Thursday in a Morris County court, said his lawyer, Peter Gilbreth.

Naughton, who is on an administrative leave from the Diocese of Paterson, became the pastor of the Resurrection Church of Randolph in 1990 and left in 2001 after church officials discovered that money was missing.

Naughton, who was previously a prison chaplain, has a doctorate in theological studies, an MBA in church management and a master's degree in divinity and theology, Gilbreth said.

Gilbreth said that Naughton's relationship with the man occurred while Naughton was in the seminary but before he was ordained.

''He is a highly educated man and very remorseful,'' Gilbreth said of Naughton. So far, Gilbreth said, Naughton, with the help of his family, has replaced more than $200,000 of the stolen funds.