Troy Catholic Parish Asks for Donations in 'Tribute' to Priest Accused of Stealing
By Patricia Montemurri
St. Thomas More Catholic Parish is asking parishioners to donate to an annual fund-raiser in “tribute” to Rev. Edward Belczak, its former pastor under FBI investigation for allegedly stealing or mishandling $429,000 from the Troy church. In a letter Friday, the parish’s current administrator, Msgr. John Zenz, wrote about the need to raise nearly $300,000 for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s annual Catholic Services Appeal and described it as “the best tribute you could give to Fr. Belczak’s ministry.” The money is not intended for Belczak’s personal use or defense. Zenz said today that he was “simply trying to acknowledge the strong tradition of parishioners’ support for the CSA and encourage them to continue to give this year.” “I certainly didn’t intend to offend anyone on either side of the spectrum” of views concerning Belczak, said Zenz. “There are people who still love him and will always love him, and want his name to be mentioned. And there are others who are justifiably angry.” Zenz said he has been transparent in acknowledging Belczak’s accomplishments and alleged misconduct. “In no way is the collection for Belczak’s personal use. Nor was I trying to ‘use’ Belczak’s good name to encourage people to give,” Zenz said. Archdiocese of Detroit spokesman Joe Kohn said today that officials were unaware of the letter, but that Zenz “is providing pastoral direction to the parish, and communications like this are at his own discretion.” Kohn said Zenz was trying to convey “that St. Thomas More is a very vibrant parish,” and that continued giving is necessary to maintain that, even as its pastor is under investigation. Belczak’s attorney, Jerome Sabbota, said today that church officials were sending contradictory messages about Belczak. “If he’s so bad, if he’s such a terrible person ... why do they use his name to raise money on behalf of the parish?” asked Sabbota. “That’s because he’s loved and respected, and he hasn’t done anything wrong,” Sabbota said. In January, the archdiocese suspended Belczak, 67, the Troy parish’s pastor for nearly 30 years, after audits revealed financial improprieties. A few days later, the archdiocese acknowledged that longtime parish administrator Janice Verschuren was gone from the parish staff because of the probe. Initially, the Troy Police Department handled the case. But in April, the FBI stepped in to take charge of much of the investigation. The Free Press reported in January that Belczak bought a $500,000 luxury condo in Florida in 2005 from then-employee Verschuren. It is unclear how Belczak paid for the home. In metro Detroit, Catholic priests’ annual salaries range from about $27,500 to the mid-$30,000s, depending on years of service. St. Thomas More parishioners are required to raise $291,770 for the archdiocese’s annual Catholic Services Appeal. Each parish in the six-county archdiocese is directed to meet a certain target each year. The funds are funneled to the archdiocese for general operating costs. Parishes keep any extra raised over the target, and are directed to make up any shortfall from existing parish accounts. “St. Thomas More has always reached or surpassed the target assigned by the archdiocese,” Zenz wrote. “In large part, I am sure that you have been so successful because of your deep affection and gratitude for the ministry of Fr. Belczak.” Zenz wrote that choosing not to contribute to CSA would harm only St. Thomas More parish and its programs; “it will not ‘send a message’ of frustration or disappointment to the archbishop.”
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