Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Tom Burns, LMHC's avatar

A fine introductory essay on "the next great scandal to afflict the American Catholic Church," a total absence of financial accountability to the faithful coupled with impending financial collapse of the diocesan/parochial system.

The authors did overlook several areas of grave financial misdealings. [1] An easy barometer to read is a local pastor's [or bishop's] management of employee compensation, benefits, and pensions. A cursory reading of lay pastoral professionals' websites and blogsites will curl your hair. [2] The Catholic Church in the United States is closer to breakdown than would ever be acknowledged by the USCCB. About one in ten dioceses in the U.S. has already declared bankruptcy. [3] Very recent research indicates that a large majority of priests do not trust their bishops, their canonical CEOs, so to speak, and [4] Canon 537, which mandates a lay finance board [not a parish council] to advise and review parish finances, is virtually ignored. Quick: find the names of your lay financial stewards in your parish bulletin.

I'm reopening my subscription to the Boston Globe.

Expand full comment
Latest

No posts