2 Brothers, Both Priests, Face Eerily Similar Investigations

When a popular priest was removed from his parish in Plymouth Thursday, some southeast Michigan residents may have experienced a sensation of déjà vu.

The Rev. Thomas Belczak, 60, was removed as pastor of St. Kenneth Parish for alleged improper use of funds, effective Thursday, according to a letter Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss wrote to the 2,400 families in the parish, one of the largest in Wayne County.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Belczak is the brother of the Rev. Edward Belczak, 69, who was indicted on eerily similar charges earlier this year and was removed as pastor of St. Thomas More parish in Troy, about 40 miles away.

Edward Belczak and his church administrator, Janice Verschuren, 67, of Bloomfield Hills, were indicted earlier this year on charges they stole $700,000 from the parish over an eight-year period, according to federal prosecutors. The elder brother was removed from his parish in January 2013, and parishioners pleaded with the archdiocese to return him to the pulpit.

Also on Patch:

• Man Charged With Transmitting HIV Focus of Investigation in 2 States
• Cop’s Good Deed Circles the Globe
• NBC’s Medical Editor Quarantined After Possible Ebola Contact

According to federal prosecutors, Edward Belczak used $110,000 in church funds to help pay for a Florida condominium Verschuren and her former husband sold him for $500,000.

The money missing from the Troy parish, one of the largest in Oakland County, reportedly included most of a $350,000 bequest from a dead parishioner and cash donated by churchgoers during special Mother’s Day and Father’s Day collections, according to prosecutors.

He is free on $10,000 unsecured bond, The Detroit News reports.

The allegations against the two brothers have sent shock waves throughout the area, where they were well liked. The investigations against the two priests aren’t related, a spokesman for the archdiocese told The Macomb Daily.

Parishioner Betty Wood told WDIV, Channel 4, that “Father Tom” was “like a big kid, always making people laugh.”

“My grandson just told me he was so happy because the pastor is so friendly. It’s in Gods hands now. I pray that those who needed the money will obtain it in some other way and I pray that Father Tom will recover from this.”

Plymouth Township resident Dianne Erxleben Griswold told the Observer & Eccentric she thought Thomas Belczak might be investigated after Edward Belczak was indicted “because they’re brothers and they have the same job.”

Griswold described Thomas Belczak as “charismatic” and “very kind to people.” She’s worried the investigation will cast a pall on the church and parishioners will leave.

In the letter, Reiss said Thomas Belczak will not be allowed to remain at the parish residence or serve the parish in any capacity until the matter is resolved. He will be allowed to continue his public ministry only with the consent of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The bishop did not disclose specific details about the allegations against the younger brother because they archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement officials. “What I can say, however, is that this investigation does not imply that St. Kenneth Parish is in financial distress,” he wrote.

The Rev. Robert Blondell, a senior priest of the Detroit archdiocese, has been named the temporary administrator of St. Kenneth, and the George Charnley will continue to serve St. Kenneth as a weekend assistant.

Photo via Flickr

______________

Have a news tip? Email beth.dalbey@patch.com. Our platform has changed, so click here to learn how to post news, events and announcements; comment using Disqus; or add photos to the Instagram feed along the top of the home page.