Get Diocese to audit another parish?

[TAS2000]

Should I even consider this, or not? Is there a way to “encourage” the Diocese to audit another parish? I don’t know if I would actually do anything unless it could be completely anonymous, as it would cause problems if anyone knew it was me. (My motives would be suspect because of who I am.)

Our parish is supposed to be working on collaboration with another parish less than 3 miles away. To say things are not going smoothly is an understatement. However, we share (paying salary) a DRE and many of our students go to their school (which our parish also pays for). The CYE/confirmation programs are linked. In trying to collaborate and bring the parishes together I have discovered an alarming number of instances and/or references from people on both sides pointing to major problems with the other parish’s accounting practices. I’m sure some of it can be chalked up to unfounded rumor, but the ones I have heard from the people actually involved are bad, and overall the complaints are numerous. If they were audited, they would be in trouble, and perhaps some of these practices would be reformed. Or am I hoping for too much? Would it just be “Naughty, naughty, Parish” and things will continue as always as soon as the diocese people are gone? If it would accomplish some good, and not cause more trouble, I’d be willing to do it (with the above anonymous condition). So will it do any good? Should I consider it, and is it even possible to do? Or should I just keep out of it and wait for things to blow up on their own?

Some more background info if it will help anyone- I am on Parish Council, and currently a teacher in the RE program, hence my involvement in the collaboration efforts. Also have been on Prayer and Worship Committee in the past, and am involved with the music ministry. My DH is on Parish Staff. So you can probably see the reasons I’d be suspect if I “turned them in” so to speak. Some of the things I am referring to as problems include a trustee that does not live in this state, unauthorized people signing paychecks for staff (and other checks), a complete refusal to publish financial reports (that was a good one- the person who has been trying to convince them they need to do this took our parish’s published report to show as an example thinking they just didn’t understand. The response was “we know what you meant- we just choose not to do it.”) And they can’t account for where money comes from or goes to when asked, even by people who should know the info.

Does anyone with info on how audits work have any opinion on this?

 

[puzzleannie]

Your parish has a legitimate reason to get involved if you share financial responsibility for certain things, in fact your own parish books will be in bad shape if there irregularities in shared expenses. The proper person is your pastor and finance commission. Go to chancellor of the diocese and express your dissatisfaction with the way financial information on categories of mutual responsibility are being handled, let him take it from there. Otherwise, tell the bishop why your parish declines to collaborate in areas where accountability (financial and every other way) are lacking.

 

[TAS2000]

Thanks. I think our pastor doesn’t really want to make waves by making an issue out of it, and I can sort of understand that. There is a lot of “concern” (to put it mildly) over the whole collaboration issue by people who think that means the same as “merge” which has happened in our area not too long ago. I think he is afraid any attempt to get them to be more financially accountable to us would be seen as a “take over” attempt from our parish. Rumor about which church is going to close it’s doors are rampant, no matter how many times we try to reassure people that isn’t what we’re planning. I may be able to get somewhere with the finance committee people though. Thanks for the suggestion.