Police from the Major Fraud Squad have charged a prominent Perth Catholic priest with stealing $252,000 in church funds.

Father Joe Walsh allegedly stole the funds between 2014 and 2017 while he was the parish priest at St Joseph's church in Subiaco.

The 66-year-old from Hamilton Hill appeared briefly in Perth Magistrates Court this morning and was not required to plead to six charges of stealing.

Father Joe Walsh was stood down earlier this year after a church financial investigation. ( Twitter: @frjoewalsh )

He was released on bail until his next scheduled court appearance in February.

Outside the court, his lawyer Wayne Burg said Father Walsh did not want to make any comment other than to express his appreciation for what he described as the "significant" amount of support he has received from "a lot of people".

Father Walsh led the Subiaco parish for 16 years and performed countless ceremonies at St Joseph's church, with the large venue a popular choice for Catholic weddings in Perth.

He left the Subiaco church in 2016 after being appointed to lead the All Saints Chapel in Allendale Square, in the centre of the Perth CBD

A spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth said Father Walsh was removed from his position at Allendale Square Chapel in June after he came under police investigation.

"The Archdiocese of Perth cannot comment further on the matter as it is now before the courts," he said.