PITTSBURGH — Father Henry Krawczyk, former pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Homestead, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a University of Pittsburgh student-athlete.

Billy Gaines, 19, was critically injured in an early morning fall June 18 inside St. Anne Church, which was part of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, and died later that day. He and four friends had been at a cookout on the parish grounds with Father Krawczyk on the evening prior to the accident. Gaines had a blood alcohol level of 0.166 at the time of his death, well above the legal limit of 0.10 for drivers in Pennsylvania.

Father Krawczyk, who resigned as pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe and was placed on administrative leave in late June, has been charged with six counts of furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors, one count of recklessly endangering another person and one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Father Krawczyk will be offered counseling and will receive support, the diocese said. However, he no longer possesses priestly faculties. As such, he cannot celebrate Mass publicly, preach or hear confessions or identify himself as a priest in good standing.

In a statement, the Diocese of Pittsburgh expressed deep sadness at "the tragic accident at St. Anne Church that resulted in the death of Billy Gaines and the charges" filed Aug. 27 against Father Krawczyk, a priest of the diocese since 1978.

"The Diocese of Pittsburgh has cooperated fully with civil authorities in their responsibilities in dealing with this tragedy and will continue to do so," it added. "We ask your continued prayers for Billy Gaines, his family and friends, and for Father Krawczyk."

Gaines and another student had been living at a convent on the parish grounds since early June without diocesan permission and in violation of diocesan policy.

According to charges filed by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr., at the cookout the priest provided six to nine drinks to Gaines, who later that night fell from rafters near the church ceiling.

Father Krawczyk had faced accusations in the past involving alcohol and young people. In 1986, while Father Krawczyk was serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Joy Parish in Plum, a complaint was made by the parents of an 18-year-old male alleging that Father Krawczyk had provided beer and marijuana to their son and others. While Father Krawczyk admitted to providing alcohol, he denied that he had provided marijuana. The complaint was turned over to the civil authorities by the parents, but no charges were filed.

As a result of the complaint, Father Krawczyk underwent a psychological evaluation at the request of diocesan authorities and received counseling.

As no charges were filed and there was nothing in the report of that psychological evaluation that prevented Father Krawczyk from remaining in ministry, he continued in his assignment.

In June 1988, Father Krawczyk was appointed parochial vicar of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Munhall. The parents involved in the 1986 allegation expressed concern that Father Krawczyk might mislead youths in his new assignment. A member of the diocesan Clergy Office met with the parents. As no new allegations were raised and no police charges had occurred, Father Krawczyk continued in his assignment.

On Oct. 27, 1992, Father Krawczyk was appointed to St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. Shortly after that appointment, an allegation was made to the diocese by a mother of a 16- or 17-year-old that Father Krawczyk had supplied beer to her son. The diocese encouraged her to file charges. However, no charges were filed, and Father Krawczyk denied the allegation. There had not been any allegations made against Father Krawczyk to diocesan authorities since 1992.