Lay Group Suspends Campaign against Diocese of Wheelingcharleston after Archbishop Lori Agrees to Open Financial Statements, The Intelligencer, July 17, 2019

Lay Group Suspends Campaign against Diocese of Wheeling-charleston after Archbishop Lori Agrees to Open Financial Statements

The Intelligencer
July 17, 2019

http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2019/07/lay-group-suspends-campaign-against-diocese-of-wheeling-charleston-after-archbishop-lori-agrees-to-open-financial-statements/?fbclid=IwAR24YgKEy5grzoxHucUfG09BPzrU34BvoVM9kKUutOb_JYB06dvPM0t0wxM

Lay Catholic Voices for Change on Wednesday agreed to suspend its campaign asking parishioners not to tithe to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston after Archbishop William Lori said the diocese had hired a new auditor and would publish full financial reports moving forward.

In its July 9 letter to Lori, the group demanded that the diocese hire a new auditor, disclose the audit’s results to the public, and announce a timetable for the completion of the audit and the release of information.

The diocese has agreed to all three demands.

“This is an important first step in a long process of reform”, said Charles DiSalvo, a member of the LCVC Steering Committee. “It is a basic structural change that will help bring about a healthier distribution of power between the hierarchy and West Virginia Catholics. Up to now, the diocese has kept the laity in the dark regarding its actual income and expenditures. With this increased measure of information, West Virginia Catholics will be that much more empowered to see that the funds they entrust to the diocese are spent properly.”

LCVC member Frances Brownfield says, “I am very encouraged by the response from our diocese and look forward to future opportunities for diocesan and lay dialogue. This is a first step in the restoration of trust within our community of faith.”

“For the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to agree to financial transparency with the promise to release the audit to West Virginia Catholics is a huge stride for us”, commented LCVC member Judy Pazerski. “Since 2006 the Archdiocese of Boston, recognized as a national leader for financial transparency, has published an annual report regarding its financial condition.”