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Resisting the annual diocesan appeal
by Mike Sweitzer-Beckman on Jun. 25, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionLast month, the supporters of Ruth Kolpack (who was fired earlier this year from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Beloit, Wis., for reasons her supporters have termed unjust) urged members of the Madison diocese to withhold funds from the annual diocesan appeal. The diocese is engaged in a massive capital campaign to help rebuild the downtown cathedral, among other efforts. The diocese raised only $1 million of its $3.7 million goal, according to the June 6, 2009, Wisconsin State Journal article, citing the vicar general Msgr. Daniel Ganshert.
Of course, missing a $3.7 million capital campaign goal can't be attributed solely to the efforts Kolpack's supporters to redirect funds. In this down economy, every charity has trouble raising money, and I'm sure the diocese lost money on investments in the stock market (as many have).
The diocese also attempted to balance its budget by the start of its July 1 fiscal year and found it necessary to lay off 19 fulltime employees and four part-time employees from a diocesan staff of 65. Included in these layoffs are those who worked at the Catholic Multicultural Center on Madison's south side, one of the more vulnerable parts of town. It provided much-needed social services, including a food pantry, high school diploma classes and English as a second language classes. The Wisconsin State Journal reported that the center had a $350,000 annual budget (the Diocese pegged it to over $500,000).
To reopen the center, Michelle Horton at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, which has about 2,700 families, began a fundraising effort. More than 100 local social service agencies (some of them Catholic) met at United Way headquarters earlier this month to discuss how to keep the center open. Even the City of Madison has decided to commit funds to the reopening of the center.
In February, I met Tom Nelson, the Rural Life Coordinator for the Madison diocese, at an educational event in Iowa. We had a great chat about the social service needs of Catholics in rural parts of the diocese and how they differ from urban needs. He talked about the various projects he was involved with to make local food more accessible through the parishes. We traded phone calls for weeks to schedule a get-together and share some ideas. He called me May 29 -- the day it turned out that he was laid off -- to warn me that our meeting might be a waste of time.
Now I have no idea how to reach Tom, and I simply feel bad for him and all the others who didn't see this coming and weren't given time to put closure on their projects.
When the neighboring Milwaukee archdiocese had to make budget cuts and lay off staff, all were given about six months to transition. The archdiocese tried to give staff leads for new jobs, and there was a special Mass to celebrate their work. What I am hearing from the Madison diocesan employees is that there was a Mass of remembrance for laid off employees, but they had already been locked out of the diocesan offices and essentially were not allowed to attend. They were to be paid through the end June, and the diocese promised to help them find new jobs.
Some here are wondering how long the Madison diocese knew that the cuts would be made. My concern is that employees were given 24-hours notice, and the budget projections were made only one month in advance. I'm not an expert on analyzing budgets, but it seems if you have the right people on staff, you can project at least a quarter in advance, if not six months. Couldn't the employees and Catholics in general been given more notice? I also wonder if decisions like these were made in the public eye, would they be made so quickly?
Critics point out that according to the audited financial statements on the diocesan web site, travel went up by $31,000 in 2008; miscellaneous expenditures went up by an enormous $607,000.
The diocese had a feasibility study done on the Catholic Multicultural Center and claims that it wasn't meeting its potential for vibrancy in the community; however, it seems that the community views it as something worth saving, and they are making it a priority. I'm impressed with the efforts of Michelle Horton at Queen of Peace, and the former staff of the Catholic Multicultural Center, to get things running again so that the people in our community who are most in need don't go too long without essential services. Andy Russell, the former director of the center, estimates that it will be at least a month before it could open again. The staffing will probably have to be revised, and I believe there are also questions about how best to sustain the center. I'm glad the diocese has allowed for this grass-roots fundraising effort. I hope the diocese will also allow someone else to run the center -- with the meeting at the United Way, the City of Madison, and the efforts of parishes like Queen of Peace, there are certainly people committed to keeping the center open, even if it doesn't fit into the diocesan budget line items.
I hope everyone who withheld money from the diocese to make a statement against some of Bishop Robert Morlino's decisions will at least consider this as a giving option. Of course, some are waiting to see who will run the center before they give any financial support. It seems prudent to see who will take the reins and what priority will be given to the center. What should not get lost is that the people who struggle the most during tough economic times are those who struggle most at all times -- the most vulnerable and poor in our society.
Mike Sweitzer-Beckman recently earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology. He works at a statewide loan fund for nonprofits that serve low-income people in Wisconsin and co-founded the blog www.youngadultcatholics-blog.com.
the planet does not need
the planet does not need another oversized overpriced Catholic cathedral. stop supporting this corrupt institution and its bishops.
For years i have been one of
For years i have been one of the faithful "on the fencers". Since my return to Boston 5 years ago, I have, each and every year, supported the Cardinal's campaign even as i worked hard to undo the damage that the Arch diocese does to parishes - particularly the ones in the inner city. I no longer do that. There isn't going to be a "great awakening" where the Archbishop and his Bishops will actually do what is best for the people. They will do what is less frightening and less work for themselves.
On the other hand, since I never seek a tax deduction for my financial gifts, I know of many excellent programs that need help and will receive none. I will put my money there. I would also suggest that diocesan programs that genuinely serve rather than administrate make their needs know by website and e-mail that even Luddites such as myself can access. There will be money. But it no longer makes any sense at all to fund people who in no way care about us.
Linda, osc
In these hard economic times,
In these hard economic times, why haven't the archbishops & bishops in each diocese announced what PERSONAL steps they have taken to rein in expenses??
I don't mean announcing how many other subordinate people no longer have jobs or services.
But what if each bishop took a 2 or 3 year 10% cut in the monetary value of his total salary, perks & benefits & each archbishop took a 15% cut???
That would help to show true solidarity with their people in a basic way...
Did you ever consider that
Did you ever consider that the reason that these people were let go was perhaps because of declining participation in the Diocesan annual fund - a vital funding source for the ministries of the Diocesan Church?
Withholding these monies, for whatever reason, only compromises the ability of the Diocesan church to make the healing, sanctifying and teaching presence of Jesus Christ actual in the ministries of the Church.
Yes I love the irony that
Yes I love the irony that most people on here would suggest holding back money from parishes in response to perceived "injustices against the laity." Yet, when the parish has less money to function, the first job to be cute are these "lay ecclesial ministers." You NCR folks are killing each other off.
I think it would be
I think it would be informative for bishops and archbishops to announce their salary. I think we would be surprised. I know for a fact, for example, that in at least two midwestern dioceses of moderate size (100,000-150,000 Catholics), the bishop is paid no more than the most senior priest, somewhere around $18-20,000 per year. Certainly there are accounts for the expenses that the bishops incur in traveling to and from parishes, to and from provincial meetings, plenary meetings of the USCCB, meetings of various committees that the bishop may serve on, visits to seminaries (since neither diocese has its own seminary), etc.
While I do not know for sure, I certainly suspect that the VAST majority of bishops receive similar salaries. They may live in a nice home (though a great many live in rectories near their cathedrals), but that home is owned by the diocese and provided for the use of the bishop, and is usually inhabited by a priest or two, or more, and often opened for parties, gatherings, diocesan events, meetings of priests, etc. It cannot be truly said to belong to a bishop any more than the White House can be said to belong to the President. It is a home provided for the bishop, just as there are homes provided for priests and sisters (at least those nuns who did not abandon their charisms after Vatican II and run off to live in some apartment somewhere).
There is a myth, bought into and advanced by people who are either woefully ignorant about what it means to be a bishop in the US Church, or who deliberately ignore the truth to advance some agenda of their own. To be a bishop does not mean that one is rich, nor that one will be rich. Rather it means hours of difficult work for a pitiful salary, doing a thankless job that more often than not results in criticism at best, and outright hatred and anger at worst. Yet, they take on this responsibility, 99% of them, because God is calling them to it, and they answer that call for the sake of their soul and the souls of those God places in their care. Sure, they make mistakes, after all, they are only human, but still they do the job, live the life, preach the Gospel, because they believe in their hearts that God has called them.
It is sad anytime the Church has to lay employees off. However, the Church operates on the charity of its people. If there are those who choose not to contribute to the Church, the Church must then cut back. It is not the fault of the Church or a bishop, but rather the fault of those who withhold their contributions. Thus, Bishop Morlino is not to blame, but rather the true culprits in this are those who selfishly withhold contributions to make some political point.
My sympathies here are completely with Bishop Morlino. He is a good man, a faithful Catholic bishop, who takes seriously his responsibility to teach the truth of the faith and not some watered-down cafeteria style Catholicism. God bless him for his ministry, and I am sure that God will reward him. After all, the Master promised that "blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and utter every kind of slander against you, because of Me". Those words were no doubt spoken specifically for folks like Bishop Morlino.
It's funny Clint that you
It's funny Clint that you forget to mention the perks- housekeepers, cooks chauffeurs, luxury cars, helicopters, resort homes, to mention but a few. It is really nonsense to say that most Bishops do not live a life of luxury. They may not own some of these things in their own name, but did you ever consider the reason why? They would then be taxable items. As it is they are property of the Church that the Bishop controls and enjoys without paying taxes. It may be that a Bishop should enjoy some perks, but when they continue to preside over financial and sexual scandals, act in homophobic and misogynist ways and preside over severe leadership crisis, it is ridiculous to try to paint a picture of a hardworking Bishop living in poverty!
May you have peace and more understanding,
R. Dennis Porch, MD
A life of luxury ... what
A life of luxury ... what planet are you on?????
In Alaska the bishop lives in
In Alaska the bishop lives in a mobile home. Perhaps the bishops ought to think of this as a cheap option.
I thought that you abandoned
I thought that you abandoned your faith based upon one of your recent posts. I trust that you talked to your sister who is in the Legion of Mary and have reconsidered. Good news. Alleluia!
'Mary took a pound of costly
'Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?". This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." ' John Chapter 12.
So, pray tell, Lisa, what of
So, pray tell, Lisa, what of the trappings, fixtures and fittings of today's churchianity masquerading as Catholicism is used to actually anoint the feet of Jesus? Brocade vestments? Lacey liturgical frou frou? Baronial residences of priests and bishops? The obscene expenses of turning the Vatican liturgies back into 18th century vaudeville productions?
Wow! How judgemental of you!
Wow! How judgemental of you! I pray that the Spirit of Vatican II opens your heart to love and peace!
"Brocade vestments? Lacey
"Brocade vestments? Lacey liturgical frou frou?"
perhaps to your utter surprise, yes. if you are a catholic and don't understand that, i'm surprised.
i'm guessing that you would be filled with anger at soloman as well when he built the temple at jerusalem. all that rich stuff he used that i guess he should have sold off and given to the poor. all that gold, silver and cedar, wasted on building a beautiful place of worship for god.
Granted that some of the
Granted that some of the commentators are likely not Catholics as this webspace is open to all comers. It should be noted that the Fifth precept of the Church is: (#5) You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
"The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability."
Peace and understanding in Christ!
Rejoice in the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul tomorrow! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Finally, look forward to Pope Benedict's new Encylcial LOVE IS TRUTH.
With a leadership crisis that
With a leadership crisis that is very much out of control- Bishops who have hidden pedophiles, practice homophobia and misogyny, it is no wonder that people will not want to contribute to that. In fact with the authoritarian minds of the clerics, it is the faithful's duty to find a way to change a totalitarian structure that ethically is just not working.
I highly doubt that many who come to this site are not Catholics. I do not doubt snowdrop that you judge many here not to be the catholic of your definition. May you have more peace and understanding of the truly Christian.
R. Dennis Porch, MD
This guy cracks me up. He
This guy cracks me up.
He champions a woman who calls on people to withhold money from the diocese to promote her own personal agenda. Then complains when the diocese has to cut programs and staff. He tries to cloud the issue by mentioning a capital campaign to restore the Cathedral...the capital campaign and the diocesan appeal are two different things. But he is hoping that the reader won't pick up on that so he can make his point. That is the definition of dishonest journalism...wait this isn't journalism. This is some guy with two last names typing away on his laptop at the nearest Starbucks...well done NCR.
Mr. Miller, let's examine
Mr. Miller, let's examine your complaints:
1) The author makes mention of Ruth Kolpack's supporters who called on the Madison diocese faithful to withhold funds from the bishop's appeal. He clearly states that it was Ms. Kolpack's SUPPORTERS. Neither the author nor Ms. Kolpack made such a call.
2) The author didn't complain about the fact that since the diocese came up short it had to lay off workers - he critiqued the MANNER in which the lay offs took place, and offered another vision of how the lay offs could have occured. See the example of the Milwaukee diocese.
3) The capital campaign and the appeal are indeed different. The author doesn't claim they are the same.
4) I'm not sure what the author's last name has to with anything, least of all one's credibility as a writer.
Seems to me like you made your conclusions about this piece prior to reading it and have projected what you wanted to find instead of examining what was actually written.
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