Statement regarding the plea agreement of Father Edward Belczak

On Tuesday, September 1, 2015, in U.S. District Court in Detroit, former St. Thomas More pastor, Father Edward Belczak, entered a guilty plea to misusing funds intended for the parish. Father Belczak was removed from the parish in January 2013. Presently, he is suspended from active ministry and not allowed to present himself as a priest or administer sacraments.

“While not unexpected, today's plea agreement by Fr. Belczak marks a congruous step in a matter that has been strenuous for St. Thomas More Parish, and difficult for the Detroit archdiocese,” said Ned McGrath, Communications Director for the archdiocese.

“This is a sad and tragic anomaly,” McGrath said. “In no way should this sully the legacy of the dedicated and selfless pastoral care given by our archdiocesan priests, and most especially, those in leadership positions.”