Buyouts a Sign of Larger Issues in Diocese Finances

CT Post
May 17, 2013

http://www.ctpost.com/opinion/article/Buyouts-a-sign-of-larger-issues-in-diocese-4526357.php

The Diocese of Bridgeport has been without a bishop for longer than one year and now "a buyout offer to 60 employees" raises questions about diocesan financial health. The past two men who held this office were promoted to grander positions, in some way acknowledging the value of this episcopal position as a stepping stone to political advancement. Fairfield County is known for its overall wealth and income per capita as well as for the glaring gap between those at the top and bottom of such demographics.

In recent years the diocese has decreased from 87 to 82 parishes. Schools have been closed and the number of priests and religious serving has decreased while the average age of those serving has increased. The diocese suffered episodes of sexual abuse claims with settlements exceeding $37.7 million 10 years ago as well as several other publicized clergy scandals more recently. Bishop William Lori organized a very disciplined financial reporting system. He was personally instrumental in annual appeal fundraising as well as endowment activity. (In a way it is strange that diocesan statistics continue to reference 460,000 Catholics while local observers note fewer faithful in the pews. Is it also curious there seem to be no statistics or stories regarding the healing journeys of those who were abused by clergy as youth whether there were settlements or not?)

What Bishop Lori failed to accomplish was to be open, accountable and transparent when it came to financial details of the diocese. There is no publication of any audits or other financial reports on the diocesan site since June 30, 2008. The three specific reports available (as examples of financial stewardship) are not close to comprehensive representation of the entirety of Catholic activity in the boundaries of the diocese, but merely a few slices of the dollars at work or at rest. The latest announcement of retirement offers to employees at Jewett Avenue provides a confirmation to rumors in recent months about extremely tight budgets, school finances under pressure, and division of full-time positions into multiple part-time jobs to avoid the expense of benefits, particularly healthcare.

What is the financial position of the diocese today, across the board, including real property and financial assets? It is a question that will be asked more frequently. What percentage of the good works pictured in Annual Appeal literature is provided through state or federal funding rather than charity from the pews? How many employees are engaged in grants-funded service? How have financial settlements and legal expenses for clergy abuse impacted the financial viability of diocesan operation? What is the total paid out to date for settlements and legal expenses? Have one or more prospective candidates for the office of bishop looked at the situation and opted not to accept appointment to Bridgeport, as rumors suggest? Did the bishop on behalf of the diocese borrow $30 million from the Knights of Columbus or its business affiliates and if so for what purpose, is yet another rumor heard more than once.

Word from diocesan workers also indicates that there is an embargo on serious decisions regarding many local questions awaiting a bishop's presence. Some folks wait to ask for permission. Others are pursuing their best choice and will later seek forgiveness if in error. It is a strange time with people wondering how the last bishop, so successful in fund raising and influence with wealthy Catholic constituencies, could leave the diocese of Bridgeport in such a fiscal state.