Lord knows the Roman Catholic Church has had its share of bad headlines in recent years! The worst of course are the claims of sexual assault on children. There also has been a rash of thefts by church leaders.

The Rev. Francis J. Drabiska formerly the pastor at Word of God parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has been charged with one count of theft. He is accused of taking $143,240.93 over eight years.

The longtime pastor spent freely on designer clothes, men's cologne and New York theater tickets, but his parishioners footed nearly $150,000 worth of the bills.

The 60-year-old Drabiska was arrested and later on a non-monetary bond.

His guilt should not be in question as Drabiska has admitted taking money from the parish.

Drabiska resigned in November and was placed on administrative leave after auditors discovered financial problems. He admitted to investigators that he stole $125,000 to $180,000 in loose cash from Mass collections from 1999 to 2009 and has admitted to stealing for 10 years. Due to statute of limitations laws he was only charged with stealing over eight years.

So what did he lose? Drabiska's status is unchanged because he resigned from the parish. He cannot celebrate Mass publicly, can't wear the collar and is not considered a priest in good standing,

A Sting Operation

So do you think Drabiska felt guilty about his sinful behavior? No Way!

In October 2009, auditors dropped six $10 bills with recorded serial numbers into the collection basket after they became suspicious. Only three of those appeared later in the collection account.

Not only was he stealing from the collection plates, but Drabiska rang up thousands of dollars in purchases on multiple credit cards. On his Macy's card, he bought designer clothes such as Polo, Nautica and Calvin Klein; men's fragrances; and crystal.

His salary was about $1,400 per month as a priest.

Drabiska was born in Ellwood City and ordained as a priest in the diocese in 1976. He became pastor at Word of God in 1994. Before that, he served as pastor and parochial vicar of St. Anselm and as parochial vicar at St. Agatha Parish, Bridgeville, and St. Joseph Parish, Pittsburgh.