BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Ordered to Pay Back Stolen Money By Linda Seida The Beacon April 4, 2007 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18162739&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425410&rfi=6 The Rev. Marian Drozd has paid back nearly $11,000, his attorney said, but was ordered to make additional restitution of $4,000 as well as perform 50 hours of community service. Lambertville — A Lambertville priest who stole more than $10,000 from the collection plate and used some of the cash to buy vestments and pay for a church's upkeep will be able to clear the theft charge from his record if he completes a 12-month program for first-time offenders and "stays out of mischief," according to his attorney. "If you can set an example for doing something stupid but doing it the right way, he's done it," attorney Steven A. Caputo said of his client, the Rev. Marian Drozd. The priest "rapidly accepted personal responsibility" and is "certainly remorseful," he said. The Rev. Drozd was charged with one count of third-degree theft for taking money from the Roman Catholic parish of St. John the Evangelist where he served as the parochial vicar or assistant pastor. With some of the cash, he purchased priests' vestments, or ceremonial garments, from his homeland of Poland. He also paid for "upkeep of the church," which he felt was not performed to the standard it should have been, according to Mr. Caputo. "He wasn't happy with the way he perceived the church building was being taken care of," he said. A church should be "spic-and-span and accurately reflect the way a Catholic church should look." The Rev. Drozd also used some of the money for personal expenses. "He said he essentially used the money for day to day expenses," Mr. Caputo said. By buying vestments from Poland, the Rev. Drozd felt the purchase served a dual purpose, according to the attorney. First, the handmade garments were of a better quality than "off-the-rack" vestments sold in the United States. Second, work in the cottage industry in Poland is performed by "struggling people" who could use the income, Mr. Caputo said. "He contributed to the community and was bringing back better quality goods," Mr. Caputo said. The thefts occurred between August and January. In February, the Rev. Drozd asked to enter into a pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders. With the consent of the Hunterdon County prosecutor, a state Superior Court judge recently approved the request and ordered the priest to perform 50 hours of community service and pay $4,000 in restitution to the church. He has already repaid about $11,000 to the church, Mr. Caputo said. The prosecutor's office has refused to release the exact amount taken by the Rev. Drozd, but asked that an additional $4,000 be paid back on top of the $11,000 he already has returned. The Rev. Drozd will not be returned to the Lambertville parish, according to Diocese of Metuchen spokeswoman Joanne Ward. The diocese has not decided yet where he will be reassigned, she said. The Rev. Drozd readily took responsibility for his actions, according to the attorney. Mr. Caputo said, "He is still upset over the pain that he's caused the parish and the church. He's disappointed in himself and certainly remorseful." Mr. Caputo said the Rev. Drozd is a "completely spiritual guy" who sought professional help to deal with the depth of his remorse, although he did not specify what kind. "We tried to explain it to him," Mr. Caputo said. "He's a human being and he made an error in judgment, and it cost him dearly." The Rev. Drozd is living with family in either Union County or Middlesex County, Mr. Caputo said. Judicial officials in the county of residence will decide the type of community service he will perform. The community service may end up being entirely unrelated to his priestly or spiritual duties. "Indeed, he might end up raking leaves or cleaning restrooms or who knows what," Mr. Caputo said. The attorney said the Rev. Drozd is all right with that. "He's prepared to accept that service with the same humility" that he admitted his wrongdoing," he said. "He's a person whose life is all about charity, and community service is essentially charity. Charity comes in many different sizes and shapes and colors." The Rev. Drozd was ordained in 1991 in Poland. In 2003, he arrived in the Diocese of Metuchen. He served at the parishes of St. Mary of Czestochowa in Bound Brook and St. Cecelia in Iselin before receiving his assignment to St. John the Evangelist in July 2006.
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