A Catholic priest from Pennsylvania has confessed to diverting thousands of dollars in church funds to support his addiction to online gaming. Father Lawrence Kozak, 52, previously serving at St Thomas More Church in Pottstown, pleaded guilty and received a sentence of community service without jail time. The misappropriated funds were used not only for virtual game enhancements but also for gifts for family members. This issue came to light during a financial review in 2022, prompting an investigation and subsequent disciplinary actions.

Details of the Financial Misconduct

In a region marked by deep-rooted religious traditions, a troubling case unfolded within the confines of St Thomas More Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. During a routine financial assessment in 2022, it was discovered that Father Lawrence Kozak had utilized parish funds for personal entertainment purposes, specifically on games such as Mario Kart and Candy Crush. Beyond gaming expenses, Kozak also indulged in purchasing presents for his niece, including educational toys and electronic gadgets. These expenditures were charged to a church credit card, reflecting a lapse in administrative vigilance.

Kozak's acknowledgment of his wrongdoing in court highlighted the pressures he faced during the pandemic, compounded by personal losses and health challenges. While expressing remorse for the distress caused to his congregation, he accepted responsibility for his actions and is now undergoing counseling. As part of his restitution, Kozak is obligated to reimburse the misused funds and has been permanently disqualified from handling any financial matters within the Church. Currently under canonical scrutiny, he remains on administrative leave since 2022.

Despite his apology, advocacy group Catholics4Change criticized it as insincere, advocating for broader accountability measures that extend to those who endorsed his leadership roles.

From a journalistic perspective, this incident underscores the importance of transparency and oversight in all organizational levels, especially within institutions trusted with public stewardship. It serves as a reminder that even individuals in positions of spiritual guidance are susceptible to human frailties and require robust systems to prevent such lapses in judgment. This case calls for a reevaluation of trust mechanisms and the implementation of stricter financial controls to safeguard institutional integrity.