New Albany Priest Kills Self Amid Questionable Contact Allegation

NEW ALBANY, OH — The Rev. James Csaszar, a pastor serving at the Church of the Resurrection in New Albany, near Columbus, killed himself amid allegations that he had questionable communications with a child and might have misused church money. The Catholic Diocese of Columbus said in a statement on Thursday that Csaszar killed himself on Wednesday in Chicago.

Csaszar had been placed on administrative leave in Novemeber when officials learned of "excessive and questionable" text and phone communications with a child and possible misuse of money while he was pastor at St. Rose of Lima Parish in New Lexington, the diocese said.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation began investigating Csaszar after the diocese learned of the allegations and called police.

"We are reminded throughout sacred scripture that God our Father is loving, merciful, compassionate and forgiving," the diocese said in its statement. "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. And so we ask that everyone pray for Father Csaszar, his family, friends, and parishioners during this most difficult time."

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