2 Brothers, Both Priests, Accused of Parish Thefts

By Niraj Warikoo
USA Today
October 10, 2014

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/10/brothers-priests-improper-use-parish-funds/17021805/

A popular Catholic priest in Plymouth was removed Thursday as law enforcement officials investigate whether he improperly used parish funds — just as his brother, also a priest, is accused of doing at a Troy parish.

In a letter sent Thursday to parishioners at St. Kenneth Parish, Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss wrote that the Rev. Thomas Belczak, 60, "has been required to step aside as pastor of St. Kenneth Parish, effective October 9. This action results from a law enforcement investigation into the alleged improper use of St. Kenneth Parish funds."

His brother the Rev. Edward Belczak, 69, and his church administrator were indicted in April for stealing about $700,000 from St. Thomas More Church in Troy over eight years, according to federal prosecutors.