BishopAccountability.org
	Pittsburgh Diocese Investigates Millvale Allegations By Bobby Kerlik Tribune-Review [Pittsburgh PA] February 20, 2007 http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_493961.html The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is investigating allegations of financial abuses by a Millvale parish pastor who resigned last week. Parishioners received a letter at weekend Masses stating that the Rev. John Nanz resigned as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish and diocesan officials are conducting an audit, as is done whenever a pastor leaves a church. "The most serious allegations are with regard to finances," said the Rev. Ron Lengwin, spokesman for the diocese. Police are not involved, he said. "I'm happy," said parishioner Tracey Vallecorsa, 36, of Shaler, who claims Nanz misused $6,000 from an athletic fund. "We still have no idea where that money went." Vallecorsa said she was president of the school's athletic association last year. Nanz is on medical leave and with family while recuperating from an illness, Lengwin said. Stephen Piskurich, 71, a member of the parish finance council, said he was not aware of any missing money. "Not at all," he said. "I was surprised he resigned. I thought he was doing a nice job." The diocese received complaints that Nanz changed words at Mass. "There were concerns as they deal with the liturgy. You can't change the words of Mass. There's a certain leeway we have, but some formulas must be followed," Lengwin said. Holy Spirit was established in the mid-1990s by the merger of St. Ann and St. Anthony parishes in Millvale. Nanz, 61, had been at Holy Spirit about two years and previously was at St. Peter Parish in Butler, where he owns a home, according to Butler County real estate records. He is a priest in good standing, Lengwin said. Mona Rush, principal of Holy Spirit School, resigned as well. In a letter sent home to parents Monday, Rush stated she will be going to Denmark to visit schools and consult with teachers. Sister Catherine Ann Koller, an educational consultant for the diocese, will serve as interim principal. The school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Parish council member Rose Schnarrenberger said financial problems involving Nanz had never been raised previously. "He was the best thing that ever happened to that parish," she said. Complaints against Nanz are listed on a Web site where some parishioners posted messages about him. Lengwin said the diocese is aware of the Internet site. "If that's the way our society begins to move, and it is moving in that direction ... then I think we're a worse society for it," Lengwin said. "It's not a way in which the Gospel tells us to deal with problems." Bobby Kerlik can be reached at bkerlik@tribweb.com or 412-391-0927.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.