BishopAccountability.org
	A Fair Hearing Pittsburgh Tribune-Review March 5, 2008 http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_555501.html The Harrison priest asked to resign his post over financial questions has sent a detailed letter defending his actions to a local parishioner, who has shared it with others. We hope the Diocese of Pittsburgh gives the Rev. Richard Tusky a fair hearing. An outside auditor and pastors are interviewing parishioners at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Church auditors last week highlighted three areas of concern. Tusky, in his letter, has a plausible explanation for money from Mass "intentions," rental from the rectory and $2,000 from an estate house sale. Auditors said that over three years, from counting names in Memorial booklets, that $14,000 could have been raised from people donating the suggested $5 for a Mass "intention" for loved ones. But Tusky said $9,000 was actually collected and deposited, but said he reserved $3,000 to spend on altar linens and vestments, and said he showed auditors that $3,000 balance. Jacob Dvorak, who is on the parish financial council, said it was a common practice for people to have Mass said for several relatives at a time. Tusky said in his letter that practice would stop. Dvorak also defended Tusky's position on the rectory rent. Dvorak said the church had difficulty finding a tenant, so when the renters had trouble paying, the church cut the rent in half. Tusky admitted in his letter that he should have collected the rent by check, not in cash. And he said the estate money was deposited. Dvorak has been on parish councils for 50 years and was "shocked" when Tusky was removed from his post last week. He said Tusky deserves their trust and is one of the most transparent priests he's seen. The money involved here is not great. If Tusky's claims are corroborated, it seems more a case of lax procedures and communication with the diocese than any willful misuse of church money.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.