Former Adams Priest Waives Hearing in Theft Case

Evening Sun
November 22, 2012

http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_22043777

The priest accused of stealing more than $380,000 from his former church, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Bonneauville, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Third-degree felony charges of theft by unlawful taking, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, and access device fraud are moving on to Adams County court for Caesar Belchez, 52.

Belchez was assigned to the Bonneauville church from 2006 to 20011, and during that time, police say, he stole $384,750.76 from the church in cash, checks and credit cards issued to the parish.

His alleged activities were discovered by the priest who replaced him when Belchez moved to St. Joseph's Parish in Dallastown as part of a regular change of assignments, according to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.

Belchez's formal arraignment is set for Dec. 17.

He faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison, and $45,000 in fines if convicted.