BishopAccountability.org
	Donations up at Spokane Diocese The Associated Press, carried in Seattle Post-Intelligencer March 16, 2006 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Spokane_Diocese_Finances.html SPOKANE, Wash. -- Donations from parishioners are up in the Catholic Diocese of Spokane, despite a priest sex abuse controversy that prompted the diocese to seek bankruptcy protection. Donations have gone up this year to the Annual Catholic Appeal, which raises money for ministry and is the major source of money for the diocese's programs in Eastern Washington. The number of donors and the total pledge amount are higher compared with the same time period last year, figures show. So far, about 6,800 Catholic households have pledged $1.56 million, nearly 92 percent of the diocese's goal of $1.7 million. Last year, the diocese had collected only $1.3 million from 6,400 parishioners by mid-April. Money given to the appeal is in addition to weekly tithes people donate to their churches. "We have to keep the ministry alive," said Frank Cheyney, a member of St. Paschal's in Spokane Valley. Cheyney said he wants to help victims of clergy sexual abuse, but he also wants to ensure the diocese's survival. "Cutting the church off (from donations) is not a Christian approach," he said. "We have to keep the church going. We have to keep our focus on the Lord and what our roles are as Christians." Although appeal donations have increased, figures show that more than 70 percent of the nearly 25,000 Catholic households in Eastern Washington have yet to give. Parishioners have the rest of the year to send their donations, but the big push for contributions ended earlier this month. Many Catholics are worried about the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and the diocese's proposed settlement offer of $45.7 million to 75 of the victims. They worry they may have to sell or mortgage parishes and schools to raise the money. That prompted some to withhold donations. "As adult Catholics, we, too, agree that faithful stewardship calls us to care for those beyond our door," wrote Linda Kobe-Smith. "But faithful stewardship also requires that we use our heads as well as our hearts." Kobe-Smith said she will continue to support Catholic Relief Services, Pax Christi and other organizations affiliated with the Catholic Church, but not the Spokane diocese's Annual Catholic Appeal. "At this time in our church history, we find that to ignore the wisdom God has given us and rescue the church organization from the choices it has made is to interfere with God's call to conversion," she wrote in a letter to the bishop.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.