Finance Report Released: Diocese Defends Decision to Close, Merge Parishes

WOIO
January 9, 2012

http://www.woio.com/story/16472700/diocese-publishes-annual-report-to-the-community

[the report]

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland released its "2011 Report to the Northeast Ohio Community" Sunday, containing information on closed and merged parishes which resulted from the Diocesan Reconfiguration Plan.

In addition, the Diocese launched special web pages to supplement the material found in the printed report.

Monday, Bishop Lennon and James Gulick answered ongoing questions about Church finances in light of the sales of closed churches and disposition of assets.

"We have been careful stewards of the resources," said Bishop Richard Lennon. "In particular, the assets of money that have been generated through the consolidation process."

"To date, the Diocese has cashed inflows related to the closed parishes totaling $19.5M," said Diocese Finance Director James Gulick.