A Roman Catholic priest has been arrested on charges he stole $1.3 million in church money over seven years to use for male escorts, expensive clothing, and luxury hotels and restaurants.

Waterbury police say the 64-year-old Rev. Kevin J. Gray was charged Tuesday with first-degree larceny. Gray is the former pastor at Sacred Heart/Sagrado Corazon Parish in Waterbury.

The Hartford Archdiocese last month asked police to investigate after it discovered during a financial review that he might have taken more than a million dollars for personal use.

Gray was Sacred Heart's pastor from January 2003 until April 15, when he was granted a medical leave. He was later suspended.

Telephone messages were left at Sacred Heart and the office of his public defender.