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By Jerry Filteau
CHICAGO (CNS) – The U.S. diocesan bishops June 17 voted down a proposed 4 percent increase in 2006 diocesan assessments to help fund that year’s budget of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
As a result, the 2006 assessments will remain at the same level as those in 2005.
Eighty diocesan bishops rejected the proposed increase. Many dioceses are facing financial difficulties and cutbacks at home because of poor investment returns for the past several years across the nation and in some cases because of sexual abuse settlements and other issues.
While there are 274 active bishops in the country, only the 193 who head dioceses can vote on diocesan assessments, and any change must be approved by two-thirds of them. Of the 166 heads of dioceses present and voting, 86 approved the increase but 80 rejected it.
The 80 negative votes assured the proposal’s defeat since even a unanimous yes vote by the 27 remaining heads of dioceses could not bring the affirmative vote up to the two-thirds needed for passage.
Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, Minn., USCCB treasurer and chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, warned the bishops that even with a 4 percent increase, meeting the 2006 budget would involve. . . .
Full article
CHICAGO (CNS) – The U.S. diocesan bishops June 17 voted down a proposed 4 percent increase in 2006 diocesan assessments to help fund that year’s budget of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
As a result, the 2006 assessments will remain at the same level as those in 2005.
Eighty diocesan bishops rejected the proposed increase. Many dioceses are facing financial difficulties and cutbacks at home because of poor investment returns for the past several years across the nation and in some cases because of sexual abuse settlements and other issues.
While there are 274 active bishops in the country, only the 193 who head dioceses can vote on diocesan assessments, and any change must be approved by two-thirds of them. Of the 166 heads of dioceses present and voting, 86 approved the increase but 80 rejected it.
The 80 negative votes assured the proposal’s defeat since even a unanimous yes vote by the 27 remaining heads of dioceses could not bring the affirmative vote up to the two-thirds needed for passage.
Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, Minn., USCCB treasurer and chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, warned the bishops that even with a 4 percent increase, meeting the 2006 budget would involve. . . .
Full article