Pittsburgh Diocese Bishop David A. Zubik announced on Saturday that the pastor of two Roman Catholic parishes in Harrison resigned this week amid an investigation of the priest's "financial decisions." The situation with the Rev. Richard J. Tusky was an uncomfortable reminder for the same parishioners who suffered through a financial scandal a decade ago with the late Rev. Walter J. Benz.
"My heart aches for them," Zubik said of parishioners after the vigil Mass Saturday at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights.
Zubik said it came to the attention of diocesan officials in January that there was a problem involving receipts from certain parish accounts, including those relating to memorial booklets, rental property and an estate sale planned to benefit the parish.
"It is imperative that there is a careful adherence to all diocesan financial policies and procedures to assure the faithful of proper stewardship of the parishes' resources," Zubik wrote in a letter to parishioners that he read aloud following Holy Communion.
Zubik did not specify whether the financial discrepancies affected just one or both parishes Tusky oversaw, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament and St. Joseph in Natrona. St. Joseph includes the worship sites of St. Ladislaus and St. Mathias and Blessed Sacrament includes Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Zubik was quick to stress the problems did not involve the general funds of the two parishes: "The current financial condition of the parishes is strong and sound."
The amount of money involved has not been disclosed.
Zubik said one audit already was conducted, but more investigation is needed.
"(The initial audit) raised more questions than answers," he said.
Auditors from the diocese and an independent firm that specializes in fraud cases will begin interviewing parish staff starting next week, Zubik said.
Zubik told parishioners he offered Tusky the option of being removed from the parish until the investigation is complete, or of resigning his post.
Zubik said Tusky chose to resign on Wednesday "in the best interest of both parishes." Zubik said Tusky remains a diocesan priest but is "restricted" from duty.
Zubik, himself, celebrated Mass on Saturday, saying afterward he wanted parishioners to hear the news from him and know he supported them.
"People need to be able to trust the Church," he said. "We're handling this matter as expeditiously as possible."
The parishioners who filled Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church Saturday afternoon expressed a wealth of feelings about the announcement.
"A few people were angry because they've put a lot of trust in Tusky and thought he wasn't given a fair shot," Zubik said.
"I just hope people don't condemn (Tusky) until we know for sure what happened," said Craig Litz of Fawn.
Another woman said simply, "We're going to miss him."
Tusky came to the parishes almost four years ago. Tusky's time with the parishes included the 100th anniversary of St. Mathias Church, the start of construction of St. Joseph's athletics building and the hiring of a new Blessed Sacrament School principal, Bill Heasley.
Several parishioners and Zubik, himself, touched on the unpleasant sense of deja vu experienced by the parish, which weathered the storm in 1998 when more than $1 million was stolen from church coffers at Blessed Sacrament and a Hampton church that were under the leadership of the late Rev. Walter J. Benz. Benz died in 1998 amidst an investigation into the theft.
"It's unfortunate this cloud has risen again," Zubik said during Mass.
Dorothy Barch of Natrona Heights said she appreciated Zubik's quick and personal disclosure of the current financial problems.
"I thought that it was nice that Bishop Zubik was here," Barch said. "I never saw (former Bishop Donald) Wuerl during the Benz situation."
Retired Auxiliary Bishop William Winter will serve as temporary administrator at the parishes to see them through the Lenten season.
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