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  Upset Catholics Say They Will Pull Support for Diocese

By Erica Bryant
Democrat and Chronicle
April 3, 2008

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/NEWS01/804030336/1002/NEWS

Frustrated by Bishop Matthew Clark's refusal to sanction proposals to save Catholic schools, some local Catholics are reconsidering their financial support of the Diocese of Rochester.

About a half dozen people have cited proposed school closings as they officially canceled pledges to the diocese's 2007-08 Catholic Ministries Appeal. Other donors, who have supported various diocesan-wide appeals, have said that this year's donations would be their last.

Frustrated by Bishop Matthew Clark's refusal to sanction proposals to save Catholic schools, some local Catholics say that they are reconsidering their financial support of the local diocese.
Photo by Jeffrey Blackwell

Groups who aim to show displeasure with school closings by changing their donation patterns say they have dozens among their ranks.

Ann Colaruotolo of Fairport attends St. John of Rochester Church. The school there is one of 13 in Monroe County slated to close in June. Colaruotolo had sent $500 of a $1,000 pledged donation to the diocese, but will not be sending the rest. "I'm sorry he got the $500," she said of Clark, who will not let St. John of Rochester supporters pay to keep the school open.

In the wake of the school closing announcements, Catholic school supporters devised plans and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help some of the schools without diocesan financial support. Bishop Clark declined their offers, saying such plans could jeopardize enrollment goals at remaining diocesan Catholic schools. "He stops everything that we try. I don't think it's because there's no money," said Colaruotolo, who says she has also stopped her Sunday donations, except for a dollar to help pay the church's gas bill.

Holy Trinity parishioners Maureen and Joseph DiPoala of Webster say they have been faithful supporters of the diocese's five year "Partners in Faith" capital campaign, which aims to raise $50 million and has brought in about $40 million. Maureen DiPoala said that the couple will continue to give to their parish, but their "Partners in Faith" contributions will end.

"The partnership part is kind of a joke," Maureen DiPoala said. She said she felt betrayed because parishioners were given no opportunity to try to save Holy Trinity School before the bishop announced in January that it was one of 13 Monroe County schools to close at the end of the year.

"Research has shown that Catholics will easily give if there is a need," she said. "If they really cared about education, why wouldn't they have given us a warning?"

Clark has said that closing 13 schools is necessary to keep the Monroe County Catholic schools system financially viable. The system was facing a deficit of more than $5 million this year.

Joseph DiPoala says the diocese's efforts to raise money and allocate resources have been misdirected and particularly takes issue with millions of dollars spent on renovations to Sacred Heart Cathedral.

"I trusted that the large sums of money we donated to the diocese would do more than give our leadership a legacy of a cathedral, one that may be empty if we don't educate the children of our future church."

Diocese spokesman Doug Mandelaro says that whenever there is a point of controversy in the church some people respond by withholding donations. He does not expect canceled pledges from this year's CMA campaign to significantly affect the diocese's goal of raising $5.3 million. So far, $4.8 million has been received.

"We're very grateful," said Mandelaro.

The money goes to support diocese administration and operations, parish ministries, Catholic charities and other efforts. Five percent of the funds are budgeted for Catholic schools.

Holy Cross parent Marion Coon said her family is considering whether to continue its donations to the diocese.

"It's hard to support what (Clark) wants to do," said Coon, of Greece. "We don't believe his values are in line with our values."

Noelle D'Amico, who organized a rally outside of Sacred Heart Cathedral after the Bishop rejected proposals to save the schools, said she will no longer support diocesan-wide appeals. D'Amico, a Holy Trinity parent, said that she has spoken to 25 people at her parish who share her sentiments.

"My heart goes out to people who out of anger and frustration feel that this is the way they can speak their protest," said Mandelaro. "We obviously would be saddened if people were to withhold contributions to the ministries appeal, which helps so many people in so many walks of life and also aids their parishes."

The Rev. Thomas Wheeland of Holy Cross says that his parish has pledged 111 percent of its expected 2007-08 CMA contribution of about $65,000 and most has already been paid.

He points out that if parishioners don't give to the appeal, the church will have to make up the difference. "Many people feel very hurt," he said. "But we as a parish have to keep going."

Meanwhile, parents of students who will be displaced by the closings are deciding where they will send their children next year. Some Catholic school supporters are hoping that the bishop will reverse his decision, and others are considering whether to try to open schools independent of the diocese.

Mandelaro said the diocese hasn't received any requests to lease space from potential schools that would be operated outside of the diocesan system.

He said any decisions about leasing buildings to independent schools with a Catholic curriculum would be made by the pastors or pastoral assistants, with input from the diocese.

Contact: EBRYANT@DemocratandChronicle.com.

 
 

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