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	Phoenix Diocese Cuts Jobs Amid Decline in Donations By Michael Clancy The Arizona Republic February 24, 2009 http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/24/20090224diocese0224.html?&wired The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, citing the poor economy and a decline in donations, has eliminated 17 positions, resulting in 11 layoffs. Two other positions were converted to part time. Diocese spokesman James Dwyer said the diocese anticipates a budget shortfall of 6 to 10 percent in fiscal 2009-10. The budget in 2008 reached almost $129 million. The eliminated and reduced positions represented about 13 percent of the staff at the diocese headquarters in downtown Phoenix. In addition to the layoffs, the diocese has scheduled three weeklong unpaid furloughs, frozen salaries, restricted travel and imposed a hiring freeze. Neither Bishop Thomas Olmsted nor his chief assistant, the Rev. Fred Adamson, were available for comment. Among those let go were the assistant superintendent of Catholic schools and the director of the Kino Institute, the diocese's program for theological study and pastoral-ministry formation. "The layoffs are not a reflection on those who were let go," Dwyer said. "All those who are gone were good people." He said collections taken weekly at Sunday Masses are down 3 percent so far this year, and the diocese fears that number will grow to 8 to 10 percent by the end of the year. In addition, real-estate values have declined, and investments have lost money. "This is no different from any other company," Dwyer said. "Uncertainty is a problem with every organization." The Phoenix Diocese is not alone in facing economic problems. Numerous other dioceses nationwide have taken similar steps, and some have gone even further, closing parishes and schools. Dwyer said several of the diocese's 92 parishes and 56 schools also have had layoffs, but he had no further details. He said the diocese intends to continue its core programs, including services for the poor and unemployed. "We're doing our level best to keep that funding as high as possible," Dwyer said.
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