SPOKANE (WA)
KGW
04/19/2005
Associated Press
Donations to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane's Annual Catholic Appeal are down this year, even as the diocese struggles with the cost of bankruptcy proceedings caused by the sexual abuse crisis.
The diocese is behind in its effort to raise $2 million from nearly 25,000 households, said the Rev. Steve Dublinski, the diocese's vicar general.
So far, about $1.3 million has been pledged by just 6,400 donors, he said. ...
"Part of the ministry of the bishop also involves the bankruptcy," Dublinski said, as the church must pay attorney fees each month.
Connie Hutchinson, who belongs to Assumption Parish in north Spokane, sent the diocese a check, but the amount was half of what she has given in the past. Most of her contributions will go straight to her parish, Catholic Relief Services and other charities, she said.
"I have strong feelings about how the diocese has handled the sex abuse crisis and this bankruptcy," she said.
Posted by kshaw at April 19, 2005 05:45 AM