Detroit — Fr. Timothy Kane, an archdiocesan priest who in February was accused of stealing money from a charity fund set up to help the city’s poor, was found guilty Oct. 7 of six counts of embezzlement related to the case.

Fr. Kane, formerly associate pastor of St. Moses the Black Parish in Detroit, was found guilty by the 12-member jury of taking between $1,000 and $20,000 from the now-ended Angel Fund, which had been established by an anonymous donor to help individuals and families in need.

Fr. Kane, 58, faces  sentencing Dec. 12. He declined a plea deal prior to his trial in Wayne County Circuit Court. Since his arrest, Fr. Kane has not been allowed to present himself publicly as a priest.

“While today’s verdict was consistent with what we had believed, to hear that a parish priest is found guilty of these crimes is certainly no consolation, either for the archdiocese or for the parishes at which he served,” said Ned McGrath, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Detroit. “It’s disheartening that money was stolen from the Angel Fund, but even more so that a member of our own clergy betrayed our trust and the intent of the fund. We are praying for healing for the community and for all those involved.”

Fr. Kane signed a confession statement given to police in February, but has since maintained his innocence, claiming confusion resulting from his diabetic low blood sugar led him to mistakenly sign the document.