Sickness & Health
Readers have alluded to some policies recently disseminated to clergy which concern the compensation and health benefits available to priests during health crises or in circumstances of disability.
As reports of this circulated, we supposed people might be speaking in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek way. However, upon viewing these policies (which were signed in June by the bishop, vicar general and various staff, and which outline the extent to which sick or disabled priests will be supported by the diocese), there was rather more truth to the reports than expected.
The policy may be read below in detail, but a few relevant points are:
- Priests who become disabled due to physical or mental illness or injury, and so lose some or all of their capacity for ministry will take a 40% reduction in salary.
- Those who can get other employment should do so, provided such work does not violate the dignity of their office or cause scandal. (Diocesan staff will help them seek such employment).
- They should apply for any public benefits for which they qualify (supplemental health insurance will be offered by the diocese).
- They must present proofs of income and benefits outside of those provided by the diocese, including income tax forms, annually or whenever requested. If these resources exceed the stipulated compensation, the diocese will reduce its compensation down accordingly.
- Monthly meetings with the bishop’s designee are required.
- Parishes are encouraged to establish funds to support a priest in this circumstance in the short term.
A separate but related policy outlines procedures along similar lines for priests who remain without an assignment for a time.
One has to wonder just what financial straits we as a diocese are in, if any priest who experiences debilitating sickness or injury would have his living reduced and be expected to find other employment, rather than counting on the Church to which he gave his life “in sickness and in health.”
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HEALTH LEAVE/DISABILITY POLICY
A. Short-Term Health Leave
B. Disabled but Able to Exercise Public Priestly Ministry Part-Time .
Disability
C. Disabled and Unable to Exercise Public Priestly Ministry but Able to Find Other Employment
D. Disabled and Unable to Exercise Public Priestly Ministry or Find Other Employment — Long-term
Health Assessment:
When a priest requests a change of assignment or retirement due to health concerns, for the good of a priest and the bishop’s discernment, the bishop may require a health assessment or minimal documentation from their physician regarding both their diagnosis and prognosis as related to their ability to do priestly ministry and what kind of assignment is possible.
Policy Scope:
This policy is applicable to all clergy of the Diocese of Lafayette- in- Indiana.
Policy Adherence:
Adherence to this policy is mandatory for all clergy ministering in Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.
HEALTH LEAVE/DISABILITY POLICY
A. Short-Term Health Leave
This section does not address the assignment of the priest. This is a separate matter to be determined by the Bishop in consultation with the Clergy Personnel Advisory Committee.
1. A priest who is assigned health leave status by the Bishop and who is no longer funded by the parish or institution to which he was assigned shall be supported by the Diocese and shall receive monthly income based on a calculation of sixty percent (60%) of the full salary to which he would otherwise be entitled in his assignment; provided, however, that such income shall be reduced to the extent that such priest is the recipient of any income from other sources. Accordingly, he must provide his most recent income tax return, or such portions of the income tax return to establish his total income to the Vicar for Clergy on an annual basis, and at such other times as may be requested by the Vicar for Clergy. This information will be used solely to provide the most effective means of assistance to the individual priest. Thus, the only individual with access to this information is the Vicar for Clergy or others with a need to know as provided for herein. Such information will otherwise remain confidential. The Vicar for Clergy will inform the Office of Finance and Administration that the priest, in fact, does meet the standards for Diocesan assistance. In rare circumstances, it may be necessary for the Vicar for Clergy to forward the income tax return, or portions thereof, to the Office of Finance and Administration. In which case, the Office of Finance and Administration is bound to the same confidentiality.
2. If the health leave status is expected to last more than 90 days, the priest should be in contact with the Office of Human Resources to clarify steps necessary to apply for diocesan long-term disability. After 90 days (from beginning of illness or injury), the priest on health leave must apply for long-term disability benefits. He may also be eligible for state and federal benefits -Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The priest, with the guidance of diocesan staff, shall apply for these benefits. For so long as health leave status continues, the Diocese will pay a salary equal to the salary provided pursuant to Paragraph I of this section less the amounts received from state and/or federal benefits. Accordingly, he must provide his most recent income tax return, or such portions of the income tax return to establish his total income to the Vicar for Clergy on an annual basis and at such other times as may be requested by the Vicar for Clergy. This information will be used solely to provide the most effective means of assistance to the individual priest. Thus, the only individual with access to this information is the Vicar for Clergy or others with a need to know as provided for herein. Such information will otherwise remain confidential. The Vicar for Clergy will inform the Office of
Finance and Administration that the priest, in fact, does meet the standards for Diocesan assistance. In rare circumstances, it may be necessary for the Vicar for Clergy to forward the income tax return, or portions thereof, to the Office of Finance and Administration. In which case, the Office of Finance and Administration is bound to the same confidentiality.
3. When the priest has been on health leave status for the period of time that qualifies him to be placed on disability status as determined by the
applicable disability plan, he shall no longer be subject to section [A] of this Health Leave /Disability Policy.
4. The priest is expected to assume responsibility for his own health. The Diocese’s ability to provide assistance, both financial and otherwise, to a priest on health leave status will be severely compromised if the priest fails to follow a prescribed treatment plan or has failed to take prescribed medication.
5. A priest under this section [A] will be provided with health insurance. Should the priest need care in a long-term care facility beyond what is provide by the health insurance provider, the priest may request assistance from the Diocese by working with the Vicar for Clergy and Office of Finance and Administration to both verify the financial need and determine amount of assistance that may
be granted.
6. A priest applying for health leave status must submit a form from an
attending physician approved by the Diocese certifying the existence and anticipated duration of the disability. This form must be submitted to the Vicar for Clergy. This medical information will be used solely to provide the most effective means of assistance to the individual priest. Such information will otherwise remain confidential. For extended absences, follow-up medical documentation-including “return to work” certification and/or second medical opinions-may be required.
7. Upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65), the priest under this section shall apply for Social Security Medicare Parts A, B, and any other federal and or state benefits for which he may qualify. The Office of Human Resources may offer guidance and direction. A supplemental health plan and prescription coverage will be provided by the Diocese.
8. All parishes are strongly encouraged to have a personnel emergency fund to cover costs associated with short-term health leave of their priests assigned full-time to their parish for the period of time prior to the priest being supported through long-term disability or the Diocese.
B. Disabled but Able to Exercise Public Priestly Ministry Part-Time
1. A disabled priest, as such, term is used here in section B, paragraphs 1-4, is understood to be a priest who is capable of exercising public priestly ministry to some degree but who cannot fulfill the material duties of a full- time assignment due to mental or physical illness or injury. Such inability to exercise full-time ministry is determined by the Bishop in consultation with medical professionals. These priests will be given every opportunity to function in a limited capacity. A parish that is ready to receive a priest in this situation and that has the ability to pay a reduced salary (sixty percent [60%]of a full salary) shall do so. Such a priest shall also have the assistance of the Diocesan staff and be provided with housing at a parish rectory or with other suitable Diocesan-provided housing and will be provided with healthcare
insurance.
2. Upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65) the priest under this section shall apply for Social Security, Medicare Parts A, B, and any other federal and/ or state benefits for which he may qualify.
3. A priest who is supported by the Diocese under this section must confer monthly with the appointed designee of the Bishop.
C. Disabled and Unable to Exercise Public Priestly Ministry but Able to Find Other Employment
1. A disabled priest, as set forth in subsection B, paragraph l, above, who is unable to exercise public priestly ministry but able to find other employment is encouraged to do so, as long as it is in keeping with the dignity of the clerical state and will not cause scandal to the Christian Faithful.
2. The Diocese will, pursuant to this section, make provision for such a priest to receive a reduced salary equal to 60% of the full salary to which he would otherwise be entitled to in his assignment, and, if not in diocesan housing, a housing allowance in the amount to be established from time to time by the Bishop. The set monthly income calculation will necessarily include any income that the priest receives from other sources; the Diocese will supplement such income so as to reach the established amount. Accordingly, he must provide his most recent income tax return, or such portions of the income tax return to
establish his total income, to the Vicar for Clergy on an annual basis and at such other times as may be requested by the Vicar for Clergy. This information will be used solely to provide the most effective means of assistance to the individual priest. Thus, the only individual with access to this information is the Vicar for Clergy or others with a need to know as provided for herein. Such information will otherwise remain confidential. The Vicar for Clergy will inform the Office of Finance and Administration that the priest, in fact, does meet the standards for Diocesan assistance. In rare circumstances, it may be necessary for the Vicar for Clergy to forward the income tax return, or portions thereof, to the Office of Finance and Administration. In which case, the Office
of Finance and Administration is bound to the same confidentiality.
3. Such a priest will be provided assistance from Diocesan staff in securing an alternative employment position and health insurance through the Diocesan plan if not provided by an employer.
4. Upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65) the priest under this section shall apply for Social Security Medicare Parts A, B, and any other federal and/ or state benefits for which he may qualify.
5. A priest who is supported by the Diocese under this section must confer monthly with the appointed designee of the Bishop.
D. Disabled and Unable to Exercise Public Priestly Ministry or Find Other Employment
Long-term Disability
1. A disabled priest, as set forth in subsection B, paragraph l, above, who is unable to exercise public priestly ministry and find other employment, but not including those who have been declared irregular for the exercise of orders, may be provided with proper professional assistance through Long-Term Disability Insurance and the assistance of the Diocesan staff.
2. The Diocesan staff shall determine if the priest should apply for the Long-Term disability benefit. If state and/or federal benefits are available, (for example, federal Social Security Disability Insurance -SSDI), the priest, with the assistance of the Diocesan staff, shall apply for these benefits.
3. If the priest does not qualify for Long-term disability benefits (from
insurance or government sources), the Diocese will, pursuant to this
section, make provision that such a priest receives reduced monthly salary equal to 60% of the salary he would otherwise have been entitled to in his assignment, the amount to be established from time to time by the Bishop. The set monthly income calculation will necessarily include any income that the priest receives from other sources; the Diocese will supplement such income so as to reach the established amount. Accordingly, he must provide his most recent income tax return, or such portions of the income tax return to establish his total income to the Vicar for Clergy, on an annual basis and at such other times as may be requested by the Vicar for Clergy. This information will be used solely to provide the most effective means of assistance to the individual priest. Thus, the only individual with access to this information is the Vicar for Clergy or others with a need to know as
provided for herein. Such information will otherwise remain confidential. The Vicar for Clergy will inform the Office of Finance and Administration that the priest, in fact, does meet the standards for Diocesan assistance. In rare circumstances, it may be necessary for the Vicar for Clergy to forward the income tax return, or portions thereof, to the Office of Finance and Administration.
In these circumstances, the Office of Finance and Administration is bound to the same confidentiality.
4. A disabled priest, as set forth in subsection B, paragraph l, above, who is unable to exercise public priestly ministry and find other suitable employment, will be provided with health insurance and diocesan provided housing.
5. Upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65) the priest under this section shall apply for Social Security Medicare Parts A, B, and any other federal and/or state benefits for which he may qualify.
6. A priest who is supported by the Diocese under this section must confer monthly with the appointed designee of the Bishop.
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64 Replies to “Sickness & Health”
Why are big grants being handed out to reorganize the Church in the U.S.? What/who is encouraging this? Why are bishops acting so quickly to completely reorganize parish life? Why are sweeping policies being implemented with seemingly no scrutiny from Rome? Or is Rome encouraging this? Why is the way of parish life and priesthood being transformed in ways that canon laws don’t even address?
It is time for all of us to bring some light to this by having an open national discussion. Are any of the major national Catholic news sites covering this? Do they even know about it?
This is how bad it’s gotten in our diocese: @PleaseStop is identifying with the abusers instead of the abused!
Everybody just needs to be quiet, good, pray more, etc. Then the abuse will stop?!?
Tell that to someone who’s been abused?!?
It’s not the fault of the priests/people who have been abused. It’s the abusers who have to be held accountable!
As somebody else said on this site: PRIESTS WE ARE WITH YOU!
PS Is it true as I’ve just recently heard that 10% of our priests have come down with Covid-19? Maybe widespread priest transfers, because of a plan concocted by $1,000,000 grant from Lilly, wasn’t such a smart thing DURING A PANDEMIC.
¡ESTIMADOS SACERDOTES – ESTAMOS CON UDS!
It is important to bring national attention to plans like UiH which are impacting parish life and the lives of our priests:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/contact
I’ve never received so many proddings from my parish, St. Elizabeth Seton in Carmel, to contribute to the diocesan appeal. I have also never heard so many say they won’t contribute. Not sure if the two are related.
Please! This is a very important time in our country. The time for all of this bickering needs to come to an end. We need to unite as a people of God and pray for our country, our parishes and priests and our diocese. This division needs to stop. It’s time for more daily Masses, holy hours, Rosaries, and Divine Mercy Chaplets. Priests who may be feeding this diocesan frenzy on this website should stop. They are called to be faithful to the promises they made to the bishop and the office of bishop when they were ordained. For them not be is to be a scandal to the faithful.
The Red wolf should probably close down this website because it causes people to sin through rash judgments, gossip, and other sins against the 8th commandment. We need to come together and pray more instead of criticizing. Anti-Catholicism is strong in our country right now and shame on us for being divided against each other. It weakens the Church. Nothing about this website strengthens us. Shame on us. Enough is enough.
I’m not sure why it is wrong to be informed. In fact it is only because of the possibility of the people being informed that accountability seems to occur in leadership anymore. I pray more for our priests and bishops now that I know more of why they need the prayers.
These aren’t rash judgments or gossip — Red Wolf and others have been praying and calling for prayer
If “Please Stop” thinks what is happening to our diocese is separate from what is happening in the world and in our Church at-large, that’s a very naive, myopic view. Just go ask McCarrick, Tobin, Cupich, or the ghost of Bernardin.
We are at war, but it’s not just a worldly war, it’s against the fallen angels who thought they were like God. They clearly now have a foothold inside the Church that we must now recognize and defend against to have a small chance at our final judgement that Christ will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done, and welcome home. “
Virgo Potens, ora pro nobis!
P.S. You can go ask Becciu as well.
@Please stop: Truth should not be hidden. Division is caused when people are taken for granted or treated unfairly. Why should priests suffer in secrecy and silence? The promises priests make to their bishop isn’t a license to be treated unjustly.
Please stop, I agree this is a very important time for our country and our church. It is not a time to to be silent and stick our heads in the sand as to what is happening in our church and world. Dear person, whoever you are, I had a lifetime of being silent when abused as a child. It destroyed my life. I will not be silent now and if this site is shut down I will keep on speaking out. You seem to think we do not pray. We pray a lot with tears to heaven for our church, our priests, and our souls. We did not cause this division and will not be silenced in submission. Bishops are called to be faithful also. It is a scandal for them not to support their priests and laity. It is a scandal for them to appease the left while ignoring the faithful. It is a scandal for Bishops to allow homosexual sins to continue while punishing those that speak out against such sins. You say nothing on this site strengthens us. That may be true for you but not for me. I would rather know what others are thinking. I am smart enough to do my own research and form my own opinions. I have seen enough with my own eyes what is wrong. Yes, there is obedience but not if that obedience is against the teachings of Christ. Your right enough is enough. Enough of no transparency, enough of good priests being punished, enough of laity being treated like they don’t matter. Enough of silence.
I’m sorry @PleaseStop. But the days of blind obedience are over. There is such confusion, hurt, and scandal being sewn by the hands of our Bishop in this plan. It is our duty and responsibility to pray, yes, but also to demand the Truth. If all you read is the most recent post on how our priests are to be treated in sickness and infirmity- how can you encourage people to stop and be silent? I am sick of silence.
This is an important question in my opinion. We do have to be mindful of our speech. I confess I struggle with that sometimes. BUT: there will be temptations to sins of speech anytime an important conversation is happening, it doesn’t mean that the conversations don’t need to happen. We really do need to argue some things out as a Church. PleaseStop is right that there are antiCatholic forces attacking the Church–true, but there are also people undermining the Church from the inside, sometimes wickedly like the whole McCarrick thing and sometimes by errors and bad practices that might at some level be well-intended. It’s theoretically better for these problems to be addressed and solved quietly … except they aren’t. That’s why we now have groups like Church Militant. These groups can have their own set of problems, but they wouldn’t exist if these problems in the Church hadn’t taken such deep roots to the point where ppl didn’t feel they have any other recourse but to band together and speak up. If it’s true that in our diocese that priests get punished for quietly expressing their worries, or that lay ppl’s jobs are threatened for the same, then is it any wonder these conversations happen outside of the bishop’s office in a more public space? I will try to watch my speech and to pray hard, but I agree with the other posters that the time for silent acquiescence has passed. I’m responsible to God for what I go along with. And I just want to say to Anon who posted above that I’m so sorry you had to go through that.
Speaking of national Catholic media sites it would be helpful if people sent information and their concerns to those sites seeking to hold dioceses accountable. I haven’t seen any national exposure about United in Heart or similar plans being implemented around the country. It is time for a national conversation about what is happening to our beloved parishes and priests!
Most of the major Catholic news sites welcome news tips. If enough people contact them it will get their attention.
Bishop Doherty,
What’s the point of “Uniting in Heart” if the heart has no beat? To me, a longtime (tithing) member of this diocese, it is as if the heart has been ripped from the body in recent months—not mended, and definitely not united. It is not growing pains being felt across the diocese. It’s the pain of an opened wound.
As our shepherd, please speak plainly and candidly to your flock regarding the state of financial affairs of the diocese, as well as where your true beliefs fall on the spectrum of Catholic orthodoxy to modernism. We want a shepherd that leads us to our final judgement in a state of grace so that we may spend eternity in heaven. Please be sure that you want to be that person, or step aside for the sake of the souls in your care. We continue to pray for you and our clergy.
So the priests give their lives to the Church and in return when they become ill they are to be cast into poverty or tossed aside? What is this bishop trying to accomplish?
UiH Pillar 3 says ““We must come together in unity with each other and the Trinity and bring the light and hope of Christ to a world in need; we must reach out to the vulnerable from conception to natural death, to those on the margins, and those dealing with challenges of daily life, in our families, our local communities, our nation and our world.”
Are sick/injured/disabled priests not kind of vulnerable? Aren’t they deserving of support for their dignity? This is the best we can do for them as a Church? What a witness to nonbelievers.
And what a bunch of patent lies they try to sell to believers….
Fear not. An ever decreasing number of people are buying what they’re selling. The proof will come in their latest appeal’s returns. The worldly want the world. The faithful want the faith. UiH’s evangelism scheme is trying to find that lukewarm middle-ground that ultimately is attractive to no one of good will. Our diocesan leadership has completely misread the signs of the times. THAT is why UiH will fail, diocesan appeals will fall short, new vocations will be driven-away, and good priests and laity will remain on their knees appealing to Heaven to be delivered from all this.
Hear hear!! V2 wanted the Church to read the signs of the time. But we need to read them as they are…..even if the results are disturbing….rather than as we wish them to be
Here is an idea for a wonderful way to tithe: Start a fund for clergy who are sick or unjustly treated. If DOL won’t stand behind priests they still need support.
This is exactly why we can’t fund the current diocesan appeal. My husband and I always tithe and will always find a way to give to support the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, we cannot, in good conscience, give to this fund because Bishop Doherty and the other leaders he has surrounded himself with have completely lost our trust. We need to find ways to support the Church at large, but we are not obligated to give to Hearts on Fire (aka rebranded Fruitful Harvest). Perhaps it’s time for another round of letters for the Nuncio. I know this hasn’t accomplished anything yet, but perhaps continuing to apply pressure will eventually grab someone’s attention. Our priests are precious. They are soldiers. I’ve known several heroic priests from this diocese. I want this to be a diocese that continues to foster heroic vocations. The way things are going now, that is unlikely to be the case. We cannot support bad leadership.
Nothing says “I love you” like taking away sick people’s income in the middle of a pandemic. Straight up Gospel idea, right there. SMH
Here is a question I bet no one can answer: on the Catholic Ministries Appeal card, why are all contributions being sent to Lewiston, Maine?
Because they hired a company to carry out the campaign
Wow……just unbelievable. They can’t take care of our priests and give them just wages (believe that is biblical) but can do all this other stuff and hire corporate to have money raising campaigns. If they truly believed In God and His truth they wouldn’t have to do this. If they would preach the truth and live the truth donations would come pouring in. I would gladly give up some things of comfort and believe me I don’t live on that much but would, to support a diocese that really taught and lived the words of the gospel courageously and not throw their priests under the bus and ignore their own people. May God have mercy on us all.
A couple years ago they eliminated several diocesan positions — in the name of business— to save some $$
I recommend the Book the “Final Hour” written in the early 90’s I believe, by Michael Brown to you all. The Blessed Mother warned us of the wolves in sheep’s clothing and they are all around us. Prepare yourselves! Guard your selves with the protection of Saint Joseph. He is the defender of Christ’s church and only he can deliver the church from this tyranny through Jesus and his Blessed Mother. This is truly only the beginning. These things have been in the works for several decades, the only difference is that now we can all communicate immediately with one another through the internet and have been graced by God to be able to help educate one another with unprecedented speed and share information with one another like no other time in history.
Pray that God will protect your Soul in this time, but also that he will remove the scales from the eyes of us all, that we may form up and do Gods work through the Holy Spirit. Only United through God can we stop this………..
Dear God.
Sums it up completely.
I’m pretty sure God has little to do with this ridiculous policy.
Has this been confirmed? Where is this information posted or was it given only to the priests? There is so much about this that doesn’t appear to be legal. If this is all true I will be leaving this diocese and never coming back, no questions asked. Enough is enough already.
My family members keep asking for specific reasons regarding why they should no longer give to Fruitful Harvest (or whatever the heck it’s called now) and all I need to do now is send them a link to this article.
In the meantime, It’s “commitment Sunday” where the Diocese asks us to give over and above what we have been giving. For what?! For them to NOT take care of our fathers when they are sick. This is a beautiful example of how to treat your spouse “in sickness”. Sickening. Just sickening.
This is all just par for the course for the super-geniuses running our diocese into the ground. I’m frankly exhausted by scandal. It happens so routinely now, it’s lost it’s ability to shock. They’ve been warned. Best to get out of the way and let these fools realize the hard way that Christ’s Holy Bride will not be mocked forever. An accounting awaits them and it’s coming much sooner than they realize. They’ve fallen for the world and put their trust in princes.
Well, they can have the world. It will devour them.
I’m keeping my eyes on Heaven.
Come, Lord Jesus.
I agree, Facepalm. After throwing one of his own sons under the bus on the front page of the Diocesan newspaper, none of this shocks me. What does surprise me is the constant promise that Uniting In Heart if the will of the Holy Spirit. I can’t claim any great amount of piety- but I’m pretty sure that the Holy Spirit is probably upset about how everything is going down in the DofLinIN. And about how His name is being bandied about to shill a corporate plan.
This seems like an odd policy that just came out of the blue. What is the cause?
Without any insider knowledge, could this be done to head off a potential “sick out” of priests who have had enough of the UiH nonsense?
It seems that way. In the past, the diocese had to support priests who were not even working in our diocese but had left for whatever reason and that seems unfair. I think the diocesan directory still lists several of these priests Maybe this is a way to rectify that.
Maybe, but seems like an odd way to cover a few. Punish the whole team? With everything else that has been done and hasn’t been done just don’t have that trust and don’t think it can be reclaimed. Would be better off for this diocese to have a new bishop and leadership.
I thought it was because of the whole Fr. Alkire situation…
With this article if it is true and I was a priest. I would be “Uniting With Heart” with joining a Union. This would be strike worthy in the working world.
Coming soon to a Starbucks near you!!! Your favorite priest who is infirm and unhealthy!!! No longer supported by his father and fellow brother priests…. serving up your favorite iced cappucino with a side of holy Confession!! Just don’t tip him too much… the Diocese with lower his already lowered pay even more!! I LOVE UNITING IN HEART!! This is what it’s all about, man. I can’t think of a better way to unite my heart to the heart of Christ than this!!!!
How depressing. But this is what they are asking infirm priests to do- God help them.
I have to agree. It appears again with the old “do as I say not as I do” adage. When they don’t do things EXACTLY as the one who is pulling the strings desires, then it appears time to do more harm to them. How different would things be if those making all these decisions had to live by them????
Yes, being required to have one’s pay stubs checked monthly seems a bit draconian, and perhaps, shall we say, communistic? Punish the man if he shows any initiative.
This is without doubt the most reprehensible, revolting thing I’ve read yet about this diocese! Disabled priests are to get jobs?! This is UNBELIEVABLE.
This is completely and entirely morally bankrupt. If anyone still feels after reading this that they should contribute anything to the current diocesan appeal, they should consider the horror of their abandoned priests.
I am shocked and outraged to read these policies.
PRIESTS — we are with you!
NOT ONE PENNY to support this diocese that abuses its priests.
SHAME ON THIS DIOCESE AND ITS LEADERSHIP! SHAME ON YOU ALL!
Agree with DonL’s comments, but this also makes me wonder how bad the state of financial affairs is for the diocese if the bishop is imposing this on his clergy?
Agree with DonL’s comments, but as noted in the article, this also makes me wonder how bad the state of financial affairs is for the diocese if the bishop is imposing this on his clergy?
I for one will find other ways to give to Christs Church and I will NOT be giving to the Bishops fund or anything else to do with the Lafayette Diocese. I would just as soon have to drive 50 miles to Mass every Sunday than to contribute to this tyrannical behavior.
Disgraceful! Our priests are being “kicked under the bus” with paltry salaries and no security of decent healthcare if they become ill or disabled. We will have to establish Go Fund Me accounts for infirm priests!
Is this how a father treats his sons? Scandal after scandal after scandal. This one might be the worst. Yes- good luck getting vocations or donations!
This is sickening, inhumane, uncharitable, and unholy behavior and not the work of the Holy Spirit. Our priests are treated as indentured servants, while those at the top who foolishly got our diocese in this financial disaster face no repercussions. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT DISAPPEARED FROM THE ST. JOSEPH RETREAT CENTER?
Oh, no no no. It IS the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember? THEY TOLD YOU IT WAS!!!
Who wants to go into seminary now?
It is appalling to me that we don’t take care of our priests. So many parishioners in our Diocese complain about finances but the reality is the priests receive a pauper’s salary as it is. I know because I was the president of the Finance Council for several years at our church. The tragedy is when someone is disabled and they are called and trained for one vocation, then to expect these priests to find alternate work seems to be an attack against the dignity of the person. Likewise to pay them 60% of what is already below the 100% poverty guideline is an extreme and egregious assault on their dignity.
Disgusting and cruel. It seems they are trying to force good priests out the door.
As our bishop rolls this out across his clergy, can anyone tell me why he is still listed as an advisory board member of the Cardinal Bernardin(!!!) Common Ground initiative? Interestingly, Cardinal Tobin is also a member. What gives? Do we really want our diocese associated with Bernardin???!
https://catholiccommonground.org/about/leadership/
Bishop Doherty is on the advisory board because he is very liberal. Bishop Doherty also reads America magazine, a very liberal Jesuit magazine, whose editor is Fr. James Martin. He has asked us to read articles by Bishop McElroy a very liberal bishop, who has called for ‘disruption’ with groups who are communistic! https://www.newsmax.com/DealWHudson/san-diego-bishop-robert-mcelroy/2017/02/20/id/774572/#
The real problem is Bishop Doherty isn’t rare but instead like most of our bishops. Watch what the USCCB lobbies for and realize they are the democratic party water boys or socialists. They not only push for universal healthcare, wages, open borders, gun control etc. but help run the democratic narrative. Racism is now prayed about and the CCHD hands out money to groups that actually support BLM! Why not, Bishop McElroy called for disrupters back in 2017.
The church organizations like the USCCB have been stabbing American citizens in the back for awhile now as they work to redistribute billions of our tax dollars to ‘victims’ of oppression and calling for open borders for more poor. We are the welfare nation of the world. Oh but they call it ‘charity’ even when they get most of their funding from our tax dollars!
We also see how they have handled the sex abuse issue, by promoting McCarrick and others who bring in money. Where’s the report? So, why are we surprised by how they treat their priests?
Our Church organization has been infiltrated by global socialists. The Vatican signed onto the UN’s AGENDA 2030 and is now promoting UN worldly issues. Red blooded American priests need to start educating their people. The Church is Christ but the organizations, using the church
as a façade, is a cancer to this country.
Superb post, Lori. The problem that many have with Bishop Doherty is the tip of the iceberg. The Church as a whole is being undermined by humanists, globalists, and useful idiots. All the more reason to pray and fast harder. Sancte Joseph, Protector Sanctae Ecclesiae, ora pro nobis.
Two of the past members of that advisory committee were Cardinal Mahoney and Archbishop Weakland. Goodbye, Good Men indeed.
The laity should take note of The Catholic Common Ground Initiative established by the late Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago and who is involved now. Review the advisory board members and take note. It’s eye opening…
Idea: put the bishop and Vicar general into a small, cheap apartment in a depressed area of Lafayette so they can live out what they claim to believe. Only volunteer staff, or better yet, infirmed , sick or elderly priests are the staff and given the same wages and benefits as current staff. Turn the chancery into apartments where these priests can live, work and be cared for.
Love your ideas!! But the bishop and vg are both too vain and materialistic for anything close to this to happen