Priest Accused of Stealing Nearly $400k from Parish

WGAL
November 2, 2012

http://www.wgal.com/news/susquehanna-valley/york-adams/Priest-accused-of-stealing-nearly-400K-from-parish/-/9704248/17234808/-/nafrc8z/-/index.html

[with video]

A suspended priest was formally charged on Thursday with taking thousands of dollars from his Adams County church.

The Rev. Caesar Belchez, the former pastor at St. Joseph the Worker parish in Bonneville, is accused of embezzling nearly $400,000 dollars over five years.

Court documents show the priest has confessed.

Belchez, who has most recently worked as a pastor in Dallastown, could face up to 21 years in prison.

Adams County District Attorney Shawn Wagner called it the largest embezzlement case his office has ever prosecuted.

The amount Belchez is accused of taking is in excess of $384,000.

Authorities said he used church money for his own use.

Belchez showed up for his court arraignment this morning wearing civilian clothes. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. He was scheduled to be fingerprinted after his appearance.

The Diocese of Harrisburg suspended the priest, who most recently was serving for the Dallastown church.

A Diocese spokesperson said Belchez is not allowed to take confessions or perform any sacraments.

The Diocese of Harrisburg said it takes the case very seriously and uses the utmost care of the funds entrusted to it by the faithful of the Diocese.

The irregularities are a cause for great concern and distress, but have not diminished the work of the parish or the diocese, church officials said.

According to court documents, the priest admitted using the church money for his own use.

Belchez will be back in court later this month.