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	Priest Charged with Stealing Cash from Collections The Rev. Marian Drozd, 42, Was Charged Friday with One Count of Third-Degree Theft and Released without Bail By Linda Seida Lambertville Beacon [New Jersey] February 14, 2007 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17844122&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425410&rfi=6 Lambertville — A priest from the Roman Catholic parish of St. John the Evangelist made his first appearance in Hunterdon County state Superior Court Friday after his arrest on charges of stealing more than $10,000 from the church. The Rev. Marian Drozd, 42, was charged with one count of third-degree theft. He was not required to enter a plea and was released without bail. He is scheduled to return for his next court appearance March 22. He took the money "for his own personal consumption," or personal use, according to Detective Dan Hurley, spokesman for the Hunterdon County prosecutor's office. He has repaid "almost all of the money and pledged to return any additional amount that may be discovered," according to Diocese of Metuchen spokeswoman Joanne Ward. "He has been very remorseful and apologized and made restitution." "The investigation is complete," Detective Hurley said. "It is unlikely that any additional investigative work will occur." The Rev. Drozd, the parish's parochial vicar, an assistant pastor, remains on a voluntary leave of absence and is staying with family in the area, according to Ms. Ward. The thefts occurred between August and January. They came to light when church staff noticed a "substantial drop-off" from the amount of money that is normally in the weekly collection plate, which until then had remained "fairly consistent," Detective Hurley said. "The staff were able to figure out what was going on," Detective Hurley said. "The staff should be praised for what they did. It could very easily have gone unnoticed." In a small, working-man's parish like St. John's, "they need every dollar to keep going," he said. Detective Hurley said he could not cite the exact amount taken. "I can't discuss evidence, but it is in excess of $10,000," he said. When the money was discovered missing, the parish notified the diocese, which then notified the Hunterdon County prosecutor's office Major Crime Unit. The pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Monsignor Leon J. Kasprzyk, referred all questions to the Diocese of Metuchen. It remains uncertain if the Rev. Dozd will return to the church on Bridge Street. "At this point, nothing has been determined yet," Ms. Ward said.
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