Belleville Priest Calls on Bishop to Discuss Alleged Misuse of Funds, Associated Press, carried on KWMU, January 23, 2008

Belleville Priest Calls on Bishop to Discuss Alleged Misuse of Funds

Associated Press, carried on KWMU
January 23, 2008

http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1215269§ionID=1

BELLEVILLE, ILL.-- The head of the priest senate in the Belleville Diocese says Bishop Edward Braxton should speak publicly about his alleged misuse of local donations to a Vatican fund for the poor.

Bishop Edward Braxton
Photo by Bill Greenblatt

Last month, the diocesan finance council sent a letter to the U.S. papal nuncio concerning the use of money from a restricted account.

Father Jerry Wirth heads the Belleville priest senate. He said fundraising for a wide variety of causes could be hurt if parishioners suspect donations are not being used properly.

Braxton has refused to speak publicly about the controversy. But last week he told the Catholic News Service he plans to meet with the diocesan finance council to examine the question of restricted and unrestricted funds.