Statement regarding Fr Thomas Belczak

Father Thomas Belczak will resume his duties as pastor of St. Kenneth Parish in Plymouth, effective June 27. Father Belczak was required by the Archdiocese to maintain absence from the parish since October 2014, when the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) disclosed an investigation involving the use of parish funds. The FBI has indicated to the Archdiocese that its investigation has been closed. Parishioners were informed of Father Belczak's return at Saturday Mass today.

Although no further action has resulted from the involvement of the FBI, the Archdiocese of Detroit has appointed a delegate to the parish to provide an additional level of financial oversight and ensure proper adherence to archdiocesan financial practices. The delegate, Bishop Walter A. Hurley, formerly an auxiliary bishop for the Detroit Archdiocese and later the ordinary of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, will serve on-site and work with the Parish Finance Council in its normal role of financial oversight.

Letter from Bishop Francis Reiss to Parishioners of St. Kenneth.