Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh reverend resigns over baseball card theft charges

The reverend in charge of the largest cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has resigned after being arrested and accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of baseball trading cards.

Rev. Aidan Smith, the head priest and administrator of the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Downtown Pittsburgh, had been on administrative leave but has now resigned from his position. In February, Smith was arrested at the Walmart in Economy Borough. Police said that his arrest followed a multi-day spree of stealing trading cards at the store.  

In a letter to the Trinity Cathedral community, Bishop Ketlen Solak said over the weekend that Smith had tendered his resignation, which was accepted. Solak said that for several weeks now, the diocese has been looking into whether Smith sold artifacts belonging to the cathedral through online platforms. 

KDKA has learned the diocese is investigating whether cathedral-owned items such as chalices, communion plates and silver crosses have been sold or placed up for sale on eBay. The Living Church, an online religious news magazine that covers the Episcopal and Anglican churches, also spoke with an unidentified buyer who said he unwittingly purchased several cathedral items. These include a program from a 1912 memorial service for victims of the Titanic, a letter from Union General George Meade and a 1908 invitation from King Edward VII of England. 

Upon learning of the sales, officials from the diocese went to Smith's home in Ambridge, where sources say they recovered several unsold items. 

In the letter to the community, Solak said that she, members of the executive committee, and Rev. Canon Mary Jayne Ledgerwood will be in charge of the operations of the cathedral on an interim basis.

"I understand this news may be deeply upsetting, and I am committed to walking through this time of healing and transition with you," the letter said. "If you need pastoral support, please be in touch with Canon Mary Jayne, with me, or a member of my staff."

The diocese had no further comment on Monday, except to say Smith was placed on leave in late January because of "an on-going investigation into questions we received at the end of December and beginning of January suggesting that he may have failed to safeguard property of the church."  

As for the police investigation into the trading cards, Smith faces charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property and is free on $50,000 bail. He is due to face a preliminary hearing later this month. On the advice of his attorney, he had no comment.