A priest who was serving at the Church of the Resurrection in New Albany killed himself on Wednesday in Chicago, following allegations that he had questionable communications with a teenager.

The Rev. James Csaszar, 44, was placed on administrative leave by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus on Nov. 7, after diocesan officials found out about his "excessive and questionable text and telephone communications with a minor and potential misuse of church funds while serving as pastor of St. Rose Parish, New Lexington," according to a release from the diocese.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was asked by New Lexington Chief of Police Scott Ervin on Nov. 30 to assist in the investigation, after the diocese notified Ervin.

Ervin's e-mail request to the bureau states that the department received a complaint of an inappropriate relationship between a priest and a 16-year-old male.

The investigation was still being conducted Wednesday when Csaszar took his life. The bureau denied all other requests for records because the investigation is ongoing. Ervin said on Thursday that he could not comment for the same reason. According to The Chicago Tribune, Csaszar killed himself by jumping from a Chicago hotel balcony.

Csaszar's younger sister, Jodi Snider of Newark, said she was shocked by her brother's death.

The two were very close and Csaszar was "a wonderful brother and uncle to our six children," Snider said.

As a pastor, Csaszar was dedicated, loving and popular for his sense of humor, Snider said. He drew people to attend the New Albany parish, which the diocese says has 2,522 member families.

Snider wasn't aware that Csaszar had been depressed before his death, but said she believes being placed on leave contributed to depression. The brother and sister don't have family in Chicago, where Csaszar died, and Snider said he had told her he was "just going for a drive" before his death.

"He's going to be missed," Snider said. "He was very close with our family."

Csaszar served at St. Rose, 309 N. Main St. in Perry County's New Lexington, and at the parishes of the Perry County Consortium, including St. Bernard in Corning, St. Patrick in Junction City and Church of the Atonement in Crooksville, from 2005 until 2016, according to the diocese. In 2016 he began serving at the Church of the Resurrection, at 6300 E. Dublin-Granville Road in New Albany.

Carol Zamonski, leader of the Central Ohio Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests or SNAP, encouraged victims to keep reporting their abuse until someone helps them, as she said sometimes young people must tell many adults before they are believed and can get help.

In a news release, the diocese expressed shock and sadness and asked for prayers for Csaszar, his loved ones and his parishioners.

"In his years of priestly ministry, Father Csaszar did many good things for the people that he served in his parish assignments," the release said.

Csaszar was ordained on June 26, 1999, according to the diocese website. On the New Albany parish's website, his biography read: "I love to serve this Parish. I am truely (sic) blessed!" The message was later taken down.

To reach the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Hotline, call 614-221-5445; the Teen Suicide Prevention Hotline, 614-294-3300; or the Lifeline national organization for suicide prevention, 1-800-273-8255.

The diocese asks that anyone who has been sexually abused by anyone associated with the Catholic church notify law-enforcement officials and contact the diocesan victims-assistance coordinator at 614-224-2251 or 1-866-448-0217, or at helpisavailable@columbuscatholic.org. Forms for reporting abuse are available in Catholic parish and school offices and at www.columbuscatholic.org.

SNAP is also available to talk to victims confidentially, Zamonski said. They can be reached via SNAPNetwork.org, by calling (614) 653-1502 locally, the national number at (314) 282-9936 or by emailing SNAPCentralOhio@gmail.com.

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

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