Ohio Catholic priest under investigation kills himself

A Catholic priest in Ohio under investigation for ‘questionable’ communications with a minor and misuse of church funds killed himself Wednesday. 

The Catholic Diocese of Columbus said in a statement Thursday that Reverend James Csaszar killed himself while visiting Chicago. 

Csaszar was pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in the Columbus suburb of New Albany.  

The diocese’s statement says Csaszar was placed on administrative leave November 7 when officials learned of ‘excessive and questionable’ text and phone communications with a minor.

It’s not clear the age of the minor or if they were male or female.  

Officials also learned that he may have misused funds while pastor at St Rose of Lima Parish in New Lexington. 

Csaszar was pastor of Church of the Resurrection in the Columbus suburb of New Albany. He was under investigation for ‘excessive and questionable’ text and phone communications with a minor and possible misuse of church funds

In a statement the diocese asked that everyone ‘pray for Father Csaszar, his family, friends, and parishioners during this most difficult time.’ 

‘We are reminded throughout sacred scripture that God our Father is loving, merciful, compassionate and forgiving,’ the statement said. 

‘We also know that in his years of priestly ministry Fr. Csaszar did many good things for the people that he served in his parish assignments.’ 

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation began looking into Csaszar after the diocese learned of the allegations and contacted police in New Lexington, roughly 55 miles southeast of Columbus.

For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255