Few US diocese willing to pay for Benedict XVI witch hunt on US nuns

So Benedict XVI and the Opus Dei want to seize the financial assets of the American nuns -- by ordering them to submit to them like parrots and slaves. To the Opus Dei, women are second class citizens. But the American nuns are too well educated to become subservient to those Latin black gowned Opus Dei eunuchs. Those American nuns fight for justice like the Jesuits and Jon Sobrino. And the Opus Dei have silenced Jon Sobrino, now it is the American nuns' turn to be investigated, notificated and silenced. The Opus Dei are the worst news in the Catholic Church.


Few dioceses admit willingness to pay for visitation

Oct. 26, 2009
By Judy Gross
http://ncronline.org/news/women/few-dioceses-admit-willingness-pay-visitation
* Women

© Joseph Cortes | Dreamstime.com

Just two of 61 U.S. archdioceses and dioceses contacted by NCR said they would dip into local church coffers to support the Vatican's controversial visitation of U.S. women religious congregations.

NCR called and e-mailed every archdiocese in the country, as well as a sampling of 29 dioceses across time zones. Twenty-two archdioceses responded to the inquiry, while only seven dioceses did. Many refused to comment, while others cited the difficult economy as a reason they would not contribute to the three-year visitation process, which the Vatican estimates will cost $1.1 million.

Cardinal Franc Rodé, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, has asked the U.S. bishops to support the three-year study. "I am asking you, my brother bishops, for your help in offsetting the expenses which will be incurred by this work for the future of apostolic religious life in the United States," Rodé said in a July 14 letter to every U.S. bishop. If every one of the 178 Latin rite dioceses contributed equally, the tab would be nearly $6,200 each.

"There are several orders that have their roots in our archdiocese and the archbishop, Joseph Kurtz, has communicated his desire to cooperate with this visitation," said Cecelia Price, spokeswoman for the Louisville, Ky., archdiocese. In addition, said Price, "it is customary that expenses related to initiatives of the Holy See ... are shared by the U.S. diocese."

This sentiment was shared by Salt Lake City Bishop John Wester, according to spokeswoman Colleen Gudreau. "We cooperate with all church activities," she said.
Custom notwithstanding, several dioceses indicated they will pass on this collection. "We have no vested interest in this, as we have no institutes of religious in this diocese, so I see no reason to contribute," Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Ore., told NCR.

"We are not going to be able to contribute," said Los Angeles archdiocesan spokesperson Tod Tamberg. The archdiocese, he said, is facing tough financial times. "I'm calling from a cubicle in a rented warehouse the diocese used to own. We've had no pay raises for clergy or staff in two years."

Meanwhile, Deacon Jake Arellano of the Pueblo, Colo., diocese said, "We do not have the funds to support this. We are settling 26 clergy abuse cases and we are a mission diocese. We are hurting."

Others, such as Omaha, Neb., Archbishop George Lucas, are keeping their decisions private. "He hasn't made a decision and he won't discuss it when he does," said a spokesperson for Lucas.

Likewise, Jim Goodness, spokesman for Newark, N.J., Archbishop John Myers, said, "The archbishop makes these decisions privately."

In Chicago, archdiocesan spokesperson Colleen Dolan said, "Cardinal Francis George does not discuss his personal correspondence between the Vatican and himself."
Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk "has not responded to Cardinal Rodé," according to spokesperson Dan Andriacco.

No response or "no comment" came from the archdioceses of Washington; Denver; Hartford, Conn.; Santa Fe, N.M.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Galveston-Houston; New Orleans; St. Paul-Minneapolis; Philadelphia; Boston; San Francisco; Anchorage, Alaska; and Indianapolis.

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan's spokesman, Joseph Zwilling, said he asked three chancery staff about the Rodé letter, and "nobody knows what I am talking about."

In the Baltimore archdiocese, communications director Sean Caine sent a recent column by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien by way of response. "I cannot help but see some reactions on the sisters' part which were very similar to those on the part of formation and seminary personnel at the announcement of both prior visitations," wrote O'Brien. "Why us? Why now? Why the secrecy? Have we done something wrong?"

He continued, "In time, once the process gained momentum, most of the seminaries accepted the visitation and in the end even found it most beneficial. I hope and pray the same will be said about the current visitation."

Judy Gross writes from Tallahassee, Fla.
If and when pressed by Rome,

Submitted by John Chuchman (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.

If and when pressed by Rome, those wishing a red hat will, indeed, stuff the coffers.

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So much for the touted
Submitted by John Boos (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
So much for the touted solidarity in the Church, even when some dioceses are "hurting".

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Interesting how bishops
Submitted by Dr. Art C. Donart (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Interesting how bishops figure it is their decision alone whether or not to support this witch hunt withour money! My stance is: "No say; no pay."

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I would also ask a simple
Submitted by Charles Bolser (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.

I would also ask a simple question. Seminaries, Womens Religious Congregations, and others have some obvious need for oversight and evaluation for the purposes of correction, renewal, etc. Who evaluates the Curia and the college of bishops, which includes the Pope? Checks and balances are seen as important and necessary, but why is this process always one way - and that is from the top. Good managerial practices include evaluation of the entire organization - even the Roman Catholic Church. When those on top of the pyramid forget to listen to the entire community and hold themselves accountable to the CHURCH - then we get into deep trouble. Why, for instance, have the bishops not been evaluated and held accountable for their responsibility for the expansion of the sexual abuse crisis? Why do the bishops hold themselves above and apart from the wider commuinity? They appear to act like the congressmen and senators who pass laws for everybody but themselves, but even these politicians have to place their names up for re-election on a regular basis. Unless of ccourse, they are acting as an oligarchy, choosing their own successors and beholden to no one.

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I could not have said it
Submitted by Pat Joyce (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I could not have said it better. Coodos to the writer. Everyone, even the bishops should be held accountable to the people they serve..the other denominations do.11

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I am informing my parish that
Submitted by Ron B. (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I am informing my parish that ALL monies donated by me are to remain within the parish for specific parish needs. Nothing to the bishop or Rome! Nothing until they rid themselves of their arrogance and insensitivity to our real needs - married clergy and openness to ordained women. Nothing! CRS and Covenant House certainly will get something when I have it. Nothing until this insulting "investigation" is cancelled!

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Me too :)
Submitted by Marie N (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Me too :)

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Good luck. The only way to
Submitted by nancy in fort worth (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Good luck. The only way to ensure that none of money goes to Rome is to not give the parish the money in the first place.

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"Married clergy and openness
Submitted by Michael B (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
"Married clergy and openness to ordained women" constitute real needs? Apparently Ron B has decided what the Church's "real needs" are, and many Americans agree with him. On the other hand, many Americans, and most Africans, don't. Ron B complains about Rome's "arrogance." Well, his little letter sounds utterly arrogant to me.

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Why would any diocese want to
Submitted by Ivan07 (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Why would any diocese want to pay for this 'visit?' If Rome feels as though it is needed, then let Rome pay for it!

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STAY ON IT, NCR. Help us to
Submitted by Craig B. McKee, Hong Kong (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
STAY ON IT, NCR. Help us to FOLLOW THE MONEY!
"NCR called and e-mailed every archdiocese in the country, as well as a sampling of 29 dioceses across time zones."

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Amen to that! and...please
Submitted by Lena (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Amen to that! and...please support NCR's work!

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$1 million could feed a lot
Submitted by BronxLady (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
$1 million could feed a lot of hungry people; seems like they could do it for less. Also, the Vatican ought to have enough money to self-finance its studies.

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"Also, the Vatican ought to
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
"Also, the Vatican ought to have enough money to self-finance its studies."
Ah, no, that's why they're so interested in those wealthy Anglicans!

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a message should be sent,
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
a message should be sent, enthusiastically, telling the vatican the 'inquiry' is unnecessary, disrespectful, and seen by many laity as a witch hunt that will yield no Christ-like result either for the personnel that come from Rome or for the American religious who are so very deserving of every positive tribute that can come from the vatican.....further, to the 'vatican'... : if you want the trip, break open your own copious piggy bank and pay for it....... -

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The "Private" decicions and
Submitted by Googie (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
The "Private" decicions and "no comment" responses to the individual dioceses is exactly what I'm doing when I hear any further requests for donations of any kind from my parish that may find their way into the coffers supporting the visitation. More accurately, I won't participate further in this closed, secretive "pay, pray and obey" mentality.
Where do these bishops think the money comes from other than from contributions? Any money they EVER receive isn't theirs to cloak in secrecy. It is generously given to them. They have an obligation to disclose where every penny goes. I've said it before, I'm done, put a fork in me. Ludicrous...

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One reason the Bishops may
Submitted by Stevie (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
One reason the Bishops may not have paid is because the have not had time to consider it. They are too busy completing a SECRET questionnaire about women religious sent to them by the Vatican. This is to be a confidential matter but several good bishops let the cat out of the bag.

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Stevie: Is the bishops
Submitted by dennism (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Stevie: Is the bishops questionairre different from the one that went to the Sisters? If so, can you share it?

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I think that we have much in
Submitted by essay writers (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I think that we have much in common with O'Brien

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I have two thoughts on this.
Submitted by Pat Mertz (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I have two thoughts on this. 1)This would be a great chance for dioceses and archdioceses to publicly stand up for the sisters who work in their diocese (which apparently is not happening anywehre), and 2)$1.1 million could go a long way in works of justice.

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2 very good thoughts--I
Submitted by sr. ellen zak (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
2 very good thoughts--I agree!

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Dear Pat Metz, I doubt that
Submitted by Stevie (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Dear Pat Metz,
I doubt that bishops will stand in solidarity with women religious since some of the bishops called for this visitation/inquisition. Naturally, we won't know who they are because everything surrounding the visitation is SECRET, SECRET, SECRET. Those who have no personal power use SECRECY...this power is an illusion but don't tell those in authority they might cry...in SECRET of course.

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Let us hope that when the
Submitted by Sheila Croke (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Let us hope that when the Vatican officials discern the lack of interest and support for this "visitation", they will permanently retire this suggestion that reflects poorly on the source.

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Why should a very small
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Why should a very small diocese be billed the same amount as a HUGE ARCHDIOCESE? It is like a man who has a large flock of sheep taking a lamb from the table of a poor man. It is an unwelcome charge for an unwelcome process. At least be fair in assessing charges.

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Rome has never been on the
Submitted by nancy in fort worth (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Rome has never been on the side of fairness when it comes to internal matters. They really don't practice what they preach.

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The only way to ensure the
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
The only way to ensure the bishops do not contribute to the fund is for us to withhold all contributions to our churches until the bishops unequivocally state they will not contribute to this witch hunt. Money is the only weapon we have and money is what is most important to the hierarchy, just behind power. There are many woman's religious orders that could use our money toward their retirement funds.

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As for bishops keeping their
Submitted by Rachel (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
As for bishops keeping their decision to fund or not to fund secret, they owe transparency to ALL the people of their diocese...afterall, it's the people's money, not the bishop's.
The secrecy just oozes and drips from this entire "visitation".

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Of course, the diocese should
Submitted by patricia p. normile (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Of course, the diocese should not pay for this inquisition! Good for the
decision makers in this cause.

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"There are several orders
Submitted by Joseph Jaglowicz (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
"There are several orders that have their roots in our archdiocese and the archbishop, Joseph Kurtz, has communicated his desire to cooperate with this visitation," says a spokeswoman for the Louisville archdiocese.
I'm not surprised.
Kurtz chairs the U.S. bishops' marriage committee, and, if the draft "pastoral" letter on this subject is any indication, he shares the general ignorance of his fellow hierarchs on the subject.
About a year after his arrival in Louisville, he told all parishes to install (or reinstall) kneelers.
Kurtz also was scheduled to speak before the Opus Dei regional meeting in Chicago earlier this year (this trip was discreetly mentioned in the archdiocesan paper). So far as I know, we've learned nothing of his remarks, etc. at this event.
It would seem that Kurtz is like virtually all of his fellow hierarchs: not from the local see he manages, an ecclesial "suckup" to Rome, ad nauseum.
And the institutional crap continues......

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My understanding is that, if
Submitted by Sam Weller (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
My understanding is that, if the bishops do not help to underwrite the cost of this debacle, then the entire cost will somehow be charged to the religious congregations. Have I missed something? I have never read anything indicating that the Vatican has any intention of paying for this witch hunt.

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Just because a diocese didn't
Submitted by TNCath (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Just because a diocese didn't respond to your request or is not contributing does not necessarily mean that the bishop of that diocese does not support the Apostolic Visitation. Whether or not diocese contribute or not, the Apostolic Visitation will take place. Sorry. This is a non-story.
I can't wait for your next attempt at sabotaging the process. Maybe your next story's headline will be "Nun Bites Bishop as Bishop Writes Check for Apostolic Visitation"?

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Follow the money: No
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Follow the money: No funding; no visitation.

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Praise God! The Spirit is,
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Praise God! The Spirit is, indeed, moving throughout our land.

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Wow! Will the hierarchy of
Submitted by Gabrielle Azzaro (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Wow! Will the hierarchy of the Catholic church never cease to amaze us? How dare the Vatican ask dioceses to pay for the visitation when it is the Vatican that has asked for the inquisition?! Diocese have nothing to do with religious women! Some diocese probably don't even have any congregations left in them any more! These men really are brazen in carrying their power - not true authority, but power - to the limit! I hope all the bishops tell them to find another source of income for this lame excuse of an inquiry to find out about the "quality of life" of religious women.

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I completely concur wih
Submitted by Elizabeth Fitting (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I completely concur wih "anonymous" who said: "The only way to ensure the bishops do not contribute to the fund is for us to withhold all contributions to our churches until the bishops unequivocally state they will not contribute to this witch hunt. Money is the only weapon we have and money is what is most important to the hierarchy, just behind power. There are many woman's religious orders that could use our money toward their retirement funds."
In addition, I would add that this is a wonderful opportunity to let the Vatican know where we, the laity, stand on how their assumption that we shouldn't have a voice in decisions or the direction of the Church. Maybe they will finally begin to listen to what we want in our church besides a return to a pre-Vatican mentality with its rules,regulations, censures and secret investigations. Money talks.

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Does any one else find this a
Submitted by JH (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Does any one else find this a strange line:
-Meanwhile, Deacon Jake Arellano of the Pueblo, Colo., diocese said, "We do not have the funds to support this. We are settling 26 clergy abuse cases and we are a mission diocese. We are hurting."-
And it is the sisters who are being investigated? Huh?

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I just sent in my check!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I just sent in my check!

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I would like to see NCR do
Submitted by Rev. Louis Arceneaux, c.m. (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I would like to see NCR do some exploring about this "confidential" questionnaire sent to bishops about religious women. What is this all about?

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I suspect the money will be
Submitted by Northcountry1 (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I suspect the money will be coming--secretly. Notice the conservatives in Chicago and Newark don't discuss anything when it comes to money. They live a life of secrets. Rode must be regretting his announcement of asking for the money. This won't happen again. Back to the secrets. And to complete the circle of secrecy---the report will be secret. Kafka where are you now that we need you? So some day something will happen to the nuns. But they will be sworn to secrecy.

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I'm sure I speak for many
Submitted by Chris Cudmore (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I'm sure I speak for many Australian Catholics who are similarly offended by the "visitation" and the request for alms to fund the unwanted intervention.

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Oh Lord that the arrogant
Submitted by Edie HuntAnonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Oh Lord that the arrogant hierarchy living in luxury on yhe backs of the faithful, rich and poor, would only follow in Christs Footsteps and not that of the greedy, worldly, selfish, profligates that abound everywhere.

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How much money are Catholics
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
How much money are Catholics wasting by supporting the livelihoods of worldly-minded women's religious whose loyalties to the Church and belief in Jesus have been replaced by pure ideology? The Catholic faithful trust women religious as representatives of the Catholic Church, but it seems that nothing could be farther from the truth. The only reason, no doubt, that many women religious remain Catholic in name is so that they can suck their livelihood from the ever-trusting faithful.

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Yes, WITHHOLD ALL MONEY, not
Submitted by Chris Smith (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Yes, WITHHOLD ALL MONEY, not one penny should go for this degrading and humiliating witch hunt of our women Religious. It would be like funding a far right political group like the" BIrchers" because this entire campaign is nothing but a political witch hunt and a very shameful one at that. This really needs to receive as much attention in the media as possible. Follow the money, NCR and you will find more than you expect.

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Being a Chicago Catholic, I'm
Submitted by Kathmary (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Being a Chicago Catholic, I'm not at all surprised by the comment
"In Chicago, archdiocesan spokesperson Colleen Dolan said, "Cardinal Francis George does not discuss his personal correspondence between the Vatican and himself."
However, I think that since monies sent from the archdiocese to the Vatican would be coming from the parish collections, he needs to be a little less arrogant and a little more open.

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I once attended a parish
Submitted by Victoria Martin (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
I once attended a parish meeting in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where the pastor put the question to the Laity as to whether their parish should contribute to the appeal by Cardinal Roger Mahony to donate to cover the costs of the clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. I'm very proud to say those good people voted, "NO".
Now we have the Vatican City State asking the "People in the Pews" to pay for an investigation of, probably, the hardest working people in the Catholic Church; our Women Religious. It is an insult to these Good Women of the Church who, through their self sacrifice and devotion, are the only thing left that is good about our church.
I agree that the male Clergy, the Bishops and the Cardinals of the Church are more in need of a "cleansing" than the Roman Catholic Women Religious.

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Where's the TRANSPARENCY with
Submitted by Dr. Dale (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
Where's the TRANSPARENCY with OUR money Archbishop John Myers?? Please respond. Here's your opportunity to catechize. Are you truly a shepherd of your flock or a wolf in sheep's clothing? I'm not holding my breath and your silence will speak volumes.

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For once some bishops are
Submitted by jakecarm (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
For once some bishops are responding to Rome the way they should. It's the Vatican's idea to do this idiotic "investigation"; let them pay for it.

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No money for Rome's witch
Submitted by Paula Nettleship (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
No money for Rome's witch hunt. The $1.1 million would be better spent on the nuns who have served us selflessly, working for pittance.

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The bishop brothers have been
Submitted by Augusta Wynn (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
The bishop brothers have been asked to pay for the investigation of their religious sisters by the very men who have led us into the clergy sex abuse crisis, and Bishop Wester thinks it appropriate.
Too bad Bishop Wester doesn't send the money directly to the nuns themselves, to help them in the care of their elderly. Too bad all the bishops don't do the same.
Too bad Bishop Wester "cooperates with all church activities." You think there might be some he'd be ashamed of.
AW

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What a sad day it is when the
Submitted by Elizabeth A. (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
What a sad day it is when the Church, the clergy in Rome, does not know when to honor the ones who have done so much work for the church, the women religious congregations, and now are after the money of the poorest of the poor, the ones who still feel that the church needs to be supported in order to get the benefits from the faith they hold dear. I do not get it.

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It is revelatory that our
Submitted by outsidethebox (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
It is revelatory that our fearless leaders have nothing to say beyond "No comment".

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There are enough ultra
Submitted by Eddie (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
There are enough ultra conservative, one issue, folks in the pews to finance the whole damn inquisition. Let them pay for it.
Where are the Bishops going to get the $$$$'s to cover the cost of this travesty? 'Right out of the collection basket.
Whatever I contribute goes directly to help schools, soup kitchens and struggling parishes run by Good Sisters and several wonderful Priests and Brothers in destitute parishes.

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As a chapter leader for CTA
Submitted by Pete Anderson (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
As a chapter leader for CTA Columbus, OH, we have been looking for another place to meet after our local Bishop (Fredrick Campbell), deprived us of our previous meeting space at the Ohio State University's St Thomas More Newman Center, and I am finding a tremendous feeling of reluctance from the Catholic community in the mid-Ohio region. I guess I can sum up my sense that 'It is very difficult to be a Progressive Catholic these days.'
I agree with what one person wrote "No say, No pay".

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History finally brought an
Submitted by Denis Quinlan (not verified) on Oct. 27, 2009.
History finally brought an end to the era of the divine right of kings - or so we thought. What can be said with regard to the arrogant and demeaning response of the bishops when people raise honest and proper inquiries about the expenditure of church funds? After all the money came from the people, did it not? Yes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. What happened to the ideal of servant leadership? It was to have been one of the legacies of Vatican II, or so we thought.

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