Detroit Archdiocese Removes Priest in Money Probe

My Fox Detroit
January 23, 2013

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20655824/detroit-archdiocese-removes-priest-in-money-probe


TROY, Mich. (AP) -- The Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit says it has temporarily removed a priest from his suburban parish while it and police investigate accusations he mishandled at least $429,000 in church money over the past six years.

The archdiocese says it forced the Rev. Edward Belczak to step aside from his duties at St. Thomas More Parish in Troy during the probes. It says the 67-year-old remains a priest but will leave parish housing.

The archdiocese says an audit found that Belczak paid a "ghost employee" $240,000. It says the priest also took $92,000 in compensation above what he's supposed to get under church policies.

There's no phone listing for Belczak, and he couldn't be reached for comment.

The archdiocese says it's cooperating with Troy police in their investigation.