Photo via bizobzor.net.ua

Economy forces dioceses to assess ‘rock-bottom values’

Catholics across the country are finding ways to combat the economic crisis, according to an official working for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, reports Catholicanchor.org.

“I don’t want to sugarcoat this — this is very painful, but I’ve seen people step up to the plate because they have a great love for the church,” said David Suley, director of Catholic Home Missions for the USCCB.

Suley travels across the country visiting financially vulnerable dioceses and determining how much aid the USCCB can give them. And while times are hard, a silver lining has emerged through the pain.

“We are being purged — that is the major silver lining,” he told the Anchor during a recent stop in Anchorage to assess the needs in the Anchorage Archdiocese.

Each year, Catholic Home Missions gives roughly $8 million to efforts that aim to strengthen the presence of the Catholic Church in missionary areas nationwide.

All three Alaska dioceses — Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau — receive support from Catholic Home Missions. Each year, Anchorage accepts about $125,000 to support various ministries.

This year, heavy financial burdens have forced already frugal parishes and dioceses across the country to carefully evaluate how they operate, Suley told the Anchor.

“It’s a time to strip away everything and determine our rock-bottom values — sort of like an examination of conscience,” he observed.

Many dioceses have cut personnel, reduced salaries and eliminated travel funds that normally allow rural church leaders to access training from national speakers and educators. Other dioceses have merged services and found new ways to collaborate and cut costs, Suley explained.

Suley said the current financial crisis has forced the church to assess the past and look to the future.

“We are 40 years removed from Vatican II now and we are being forced to stop and pitch tent and tell stories about the past, as we look to where we want to go,” he said. “We need to look at our vision.”

He compared the situation to the Old Testament Israelites.

“They pitched their tents when things got difficult and waited for the Spirit to give them a new direction,” he said. “We are in a position where we are pitching tent.”

As the church moves through the current economic crisis, it is important to continue building and sustaining a sense of trust from parishioners, Suley observed.

“People will come to the plate if a diocese has high credibility,” he said. “If people see that, they will aggressively support their diocese. Our laity are more educated today and they want to know where their money is going.”

In addition to financial giving, Suley said he has seen many unsung heroes step up to keep ministries and outreaches afloat through volunteering and sharing talents and skills.

“These stories will never make the front of Time magazine but they are happening all across the country,” he said.

New iPad POLL! VOTE NOW! Will you buy new iPad?

TAGS: USA economic crisis Catholic Church Catholic Home Missions Alaska dioceses rock-bottom values

[09/23/2009]

Print Version