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	Priests' Group Lauds Panel for 'Protesting' Braxton's Spending By George Pawlaczyk Belleville News-Democrat October 21, 2008 http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/511663.html PADERBORN — A priests' association has presented an award to members of the diocesan finance council for "protesting" the expenditure of funds by Bishop Edward Braxton that were intended for education and to help the poor. The ICHTFUS Award, based on the Greek word for "fish," an early Christian symbol, was presented Sunday by the Rev. Clyde Grogan on behalf of the Southern Illinois Association of Priests during its annual Family and Friends Dinner. The association, which has about 20 members and was founded in 1968, met at St. Michael's Parish Hall. Braxton, who has stated he does not speak to local media, could not be reached for comment. According to a written statement, Grogan, "...Applauded the committee for its oversight, accountability and prudent judgment of expenditures of diocesan monies." In December, the finance committee sent a letter of complaint concerning Braxton to Pope Benedict XVI's U.S. representative, or papal nuncio, in Washington, D.C. The letter concerned Braxton's use of about $18,000 collected locally to buy a new table and chairs for the chancery and to purchase new ceremonial vestments for himself and other priests. In January, Braxton issued a public letter of apology concerning the use of the funds and promised that the money would be replaced by a donation from a private source. He has never revealed the source of the donation. The news release concerning the award, also stated that the priests' group opposed Braxton's use of $250,000 to renovate the bishop's residence in Belleville and his decision to appeal a recent $5 million jury verdict to a Champaign man who testified he was abused by a diocesan priest as a boy and church officials covered it up. There were about 150 guests at the dinner, the statement said.
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