Recent election results in several municipalities have again demonstrated that our state is in dire straits financially as voters cast ‘NO? votes on new millage proposals, and in some instances even defeated millage renewals.
The message from voters is clear: no new taxes – our existing taxes are too high – and until the job market has some positive news, we will not support tax increases. Hopefully that message will reverberate with the Governor and the Michigan legislature as they toil over the latest budget crisis.
All over our state the stagnant economy has taken its toll. Coupled with the automotive layoffs and auto supplier bankruptcies, many businesses have shuttered their windows. Schools are scrambling for funds. Gasoline prices are at a new high, foreclosures are rampant and we continue to lead the nation in unemployment. It’s a bleak picture.
That is unless you are the Archdiocese of Detroit. Cardinal Maida and his staff have just embarked on their annual ‘we need more money despite the economic hardships of our constituents? or as it is called, the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA).
Each year parishes are assessed an amount determined by the Archdiocese which must be contributed in a special fundraiser. Parishes that fall short in the fundraiser must then make up the difference out of their own coffers.
So whatever the economy, the Archdiocese collects their bag of gold. And each year for most parishes the monetary goal is increased.
What becomes so frustrating is that traditionally clergy have a history of mismanagement with funds. If you don’t believe that, just examine the legacy of many of our televangelists who have squandered millions of well-intentioned donations from followers, and of course the hundreds of Catholic schools and churches that have closed nationwide.
Much of the money to support those institutions comes from the Archdioceses, but if finances are mishandled by the hierarchy the schools and parishes bear the brunt of the malfeasance. In some instances the Archdioceses have even accelerated loan obligations of the parishes because of the shortage in funds as a result of their mismanagement.
Did I mention that the funds parishes provide to the Archdiocese can be borrowed, but with interest?
The Archdiocese of Detroit’s record of fiscal ineptitude can be traced first to the money paid out to victims of pedophile priests. Unfortunately, as with many of the Church’s activities, we will never know the extent of the payments because in their mind there is no accountability to the parishes.
Then there’s Cardinal Maida’s special folly otherwise known as the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington or as it is called – the Pope Museum. Poorly planned and operated, this extravagant white elephant has failed as a public art museum; has gone through several layoffs with the most recent in May of 2006 with the dismissal of almost 90% of the staff; and then June of 2006 saw the replacement of its second executive director in less than three years.
Indications are that Detroit Catholics are in hock for millions of dollars, some say as much as $40 million thanks to the largess of the Cardinal.
And if that wasn’t enough we now discover that a former seminary in Plymouth, Michigan has been converted into a hotel and conference center with an adjacent golf course. The Inn at St. John’s, as it is called, ‘offers an ambiance unsurpassed amongst its peers? heralds the website. This too was a stealth transaction because the Cardinal refuses to disclose the terms or the principals involved.
Based on his previous habit of shrouding everything in secrecy, it may be just a matter of time before we discover that we are on the hook for this property also. After all, hotel occupancy rates are dismal in the tri-county area and this hotel certainly isn’t immune to similar pressures to fill rooms.
And because of the over-saturation of golf courses in our state, many facilities have had to cut back on services or liquidate. In the case of the hotel and conference center, what happens if the unnamed investors go bankrupt? Does the property and its debt revert to the Archdiocese? Let’s hope not, but how are we to know?
Let’s face it – the clergy does not possess the training, skills and financial acumen to become involved in high finance transactions. There seems to be a lack of accountability. And of course inquiries about spending are met with silence or arrogance. CEO’s exhibiting similar patterns would be quickly ousted.
Several years ago Cardinal Maida offered his resignation but a lack of a response from the Vatican delayed it. In my opinion he should resend that letter since his leadership style or lack thereof has contributed to many of the problems the Archdiocese faces today.
Funds in the Archdiocese accounts are contributed by all the parishioners. As such, any financial decisions enacted affect all the parishes. We then should have the right to know what decisions are being made with our contributions. Unfortunately, the Archdiocese holds a differing viewpoint!
Here’s my solution: the Archdiocese should provide all the parishes with a complete and detailed accounting of settlements to victims of pedophile priests – the Pope museum should be shuttered to cut losses, and details of the Inn at St. John’s along with the conference center and golf course commitments should be forthcoming.
In the future any transaction over a certain amount, say $1 million, should be scrutinized by the parishes, which would have veto power. After all, it’s our money.
It’s time for the Archdiocese to start practicing some fiscal responsibility just as all the parishioners are doing who are contributing their hard earned money to some very questionable projects!
Is this a harsh assessment on my part? Of course it is, but the Archdiocese is seldom held up to scrutiny. In these tight economic times they really need to be more sensitive to the financial plight of their parishioners.