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	Several Area Priests Call for Bishop's Resignation By Adam Testa The Southern March 18, 2008 http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/03/18/front_page/23789797.txt BELLEVILLE - The list of 46 priests calling for the resignation of Bishop Edward Braxton of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, released Monday, includes several names from Southern Illinois. Church leaders cite misappropriation of funds and a lack of transparency as the reasoning behind their call for Braxton to step down from his position. Two months ago, the bishop publicly apologized for spending about $18,000 of restricted funds, which he later repaid with a "secured gift," according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Recent revelations of Bishop Braxton's misappropriation of funds have only intensified the lack of trust the priests, religious and laity of our Diocese have in our Bishop," the statement signed by the 46 priests said. "We believe that his spending patterns, his pursuit of outside donors to cover these expenditures and his lack of transparency in finances and other areas has resulted in a total lack of trust." Many Southern Illinois church leaders, including Father Bob Flannery of St. Francis Xavier in Carbondale, choose to point to the statement as their official comment on the situation, adding that "the statement speaks for itself." For some, however, the issue does not center solely on the financial aspect. Father Joseph Trapp of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton said the ideal outcome of the situation would be that "we could find some way to open up communication and become more transparent in the diocese." Trapp added the situation is not only affecting priests and other levels of church leadership, but also the everyday parishioners who belong to the church and will likely begin to question the leadership. "They're part of the church of Southern Illinois and what goes on affects them in the parish and the community," he said. "We're hopeful that something can come from this and make the church better," Trapp said. The Belleville diocese includes the southern 28 counties of Illinois. Contact: adam.testa@thesouthern.com
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