Let me begin by thanking all of you for your extraordinary efforts during one of the most trying times in human history, as we respond to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our prayers are with all of you and with those that have been affected with illness, loss of life, loss of jobs and the loss of what joins us together in families and communities of faith. Be assured of my daily prayers and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us each day as we pray for those affected, and for those in medical research to find a path forward for our communities and world.
It is with great sadness that I write to you today in response to an article that appeared in the August 26, 2020 issue of the L.A. Times [see California Catholic Daily, August 28] which falsely insinuates that I fired members of the Orange Catholic Foundation Board of Directors because they would not permit the use of foundation funds to pay sexual abuse-related lawsuits. I state for the record that any such insinuations are utterly false and without merit. To be clear, at no time had I ever, or would I ever even suggest that any funds, unrestricted or in a restricted endowment, ever be granted by the Orange Catholic Foundation to the diocese to be used for any litigation, or for purposes other than what the donor intended.
The Orange Catholic Foundation has been and remains an independent, fiduciary board and foundation. The board oversees the executive director and all functions, hiring and terminations of all staff and consultants. It approves the annual budget. It has an audit committee and investment committee to ensure independent oversight of both expenditures and endowment investments and disbursements, as directed by donor intent.
The Orange Catholic Foundation is, has always been, and shall remain a not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3) foundation governed by its own bylaws and by the laws of the State of California. Moreover, it has standing in the Catholic Church as a pious, autonomous, private person “ordered for a purpose which is in keeping with the mission of the Church and which transcends the purpose of the individuals” (canon 114 §1 of the Code of Canon Law). As such, the foundation acts to fulfill the philosophy, purpose and objectives of the mission of the entity, its fundraising priorities and objectives, and it does so in support of the diocese of Orange, its mission, ministries, pastors, and parishes and schools. Simply put, it is an independent foundation legally and canonically.
Recently, I exercised my authority as Ordinary by replacing many who served on the foundation board of directors and a new board was appointed on June 19, 2020. In discernment and prayer, I appointed the following new Board members to lead the foundation forward.
- Mr. Tom Greeley, chairman of the board
- Mr. Richard Crawford, vice-chairman of the board
- Mr. Mark Doyle, secretary
- Mr. Michael Murphy, treasurer and chair audit committee
- Reverend Edward Becker, pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, La Habra
- Very Reverend E. Scott Borgman, J.C.D., judicial vicar, ciocese of Orange
- Mrs. Mary Brunson, St. Thomas More Church, Irvine
- Ms. Lucy Dunn, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Irvine
- Mrs. Susan Strader, Our Lady of Queen of Angels Church, Newport Beach
- Reverend Boa Quoc Thai, pastor, St. Cecilia Church, Tustin
- James F. Normandin, interim director, Orange Catholic Foundation
- Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, diocese of Orange
The new board has immediately begun to act on a series of initiatives that have needed focused attention for some time and the members are creating a strategic plan for the foundation. I do point out that for many months I had been asking certain members of the foundation’s executive leadership and management to prepare such a strategic plan, but no such plan was produced. Another board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16, and the board will be seeking to achieve common purpose, strategic alignment and the fulfillment of the philosophy, purpose and objectives of the mission of the foundation and of fundraising priorities that will support our diocese. The board has initiated a search for a permanent executive director; interviews are underway and qualified candidates are being identified. I point out that for many months, I had been asking the foundation’s executive leadership and management to select a permanent executive director, but no such permanent executive director was secured. The board also reviewed and approved the Orange Catholic Foundation audit, which was recently completed by Smith and Brown LP – again, all part of the independence and independent oversight of the foundation.
Assertions have also been made about me, our chief financial officer and others who support the office of the bishop and the diocese and I want to be even more clear: at no time ever has there been an instance of breach of fiduciary responsibilities, improprieties of any kind, or acts outside the policies and procedures or regulations as mandated by either civil or canonical law in the administration of the diocese of Orange or in its relationship with the Orange Catholic Foundation. Moreover, we respect and honor the intent of donors in all matters, carefully following generally accepted accounting principles as well as the Code of Canon Law, especially as regards the administration and oversight of temporal goods (Book V).
Finally, I am pleased to report that, with the full support of the parish, the Orange County Foundation is assisting with the transition of the administrative functions of the annual Pastoral Services Appeal to the parishes and diocese. To date, even in these difficult times, the appeal is at approximately 90 percent of its goal – a tremendous success by any standard. Our thanks to all of you whom have given so generously to the parish appeals. It is never taken for granted.
The above comes from a Sept. 3 statement in OC Catholic.
Then, Bishop, why did you replace the previous Board?
Who paid for the month-long vacation?
Did a lawyer write this letter? It doesn’t sound like a bishop talking to his people.
Yes, and rightly so since the lawsuits will follow.
I don’t understand why all the hate. I must be missing something, or else many of youjust have it out for this guy.
I must be missing where you see the hate.
Anonymous, this is not hate, it is accountability , what your missing that this foundation was set up because the church’s abuse of the laity’s trust and donations by deceit and obfuscation , they cannot be trusted based on past experience to be responsible morally or financially. His actions suggest he is trying to get around the legal restrictions without a care as to what this says to the faithful and donors about the assurances that this would not happen. Look to the Los Angeles Archdiocese and the looting of the cemetery fund by the Mahony and the Wheeling WVA Archdiocese and how the Bransfield abused that trust and finances for his own ends.
The link to the statement on the OC Diocese website no longer works. Why did Vann retract his statement? Can you please post the whole statement as it appeared? Thank you.
“The Orange Catholic Foundation has been and remains an independent, fiduciary board and foundation… It approves the annual budget. It has an audit committee and investment committee to ensure independent oversight of both expenditures and endowment investments and disbursements, as directed by donor intent.”
“Recently, I exercised my authority as Ordinary by replacing many who served on the foundation board of directors and a new board was appointed on June 19, 2020. In discernment and prayer, I appointed the following new Board…”
……………….
It’s confusing to read here
because it is reported above as “an independent, fiduciary board and foundation”,
yet can apparantly be disbanded and new members can be appointed at the will of the Bishop.
So, somehow Bishop Vann, who himself is only one of numerous Board members, has the authority to fire and replace several of the other Board members. Are not Board members appointed for fixed terms? Presuming so, where in the Board’s bylaws is the Bishop authorized to unilaterally fire and replace Board members? Further, Bishop Vann has failed to address the matter of the letter which was reported by the LA Times as being sent from a person in his office requesting the transfer of several million dollars. Sorry, but the Bishop’s response fails to address the key issues reported in the LA Times article.
Yes, there are more questions than answers. He is a bishop and like most, he feels he can do what he wants and needs to answer to no one.
Many of the people of the ‘OC’ are very generous. But they did not get the wherewithall to be so generous by being fools. I believe they will not tolerate failures to account for the expenditure of their generosity.
Good comments here. Crazy that he thinks he can get away with this. Wait until the state starts investigating. Or not.
I was very encouraged to see that Tom Greeley was named chairman of the board. I’ve known him personally for many years. He is an outstanding Christian gentleman. Although I’m no business expert, Mr. Greeley is a proven, successful businessman as well. Both his business expertise and Christian character will serve the people of Orange well. I’m grateful he spends much of his time volunteering in service to the Church. May God bless the bishop, the board and all those in Orange County.
It’s easy to volunteer when you’re rich.
It’s a relief to read that Bp Vann emphasizes the independence of the board. All board members now clearly understand that being independent means you do what’s directed by Bp. Vann, or else you’re fired.
Eminent Domain, Catholic Style.
When the dust settles, the new board will need to evaluate its relationship with Bishop Vann, and ask itself whether it’s happy being viewed by outsiders as a ‘rubber stamp’ for Bishop Vann. I am surprised that he has found so many willing to serve under these circumstances.
Rest assured, many will see it as a ‘rubber stamp’ and many will “hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil”
Actually, the Bishop is only an ex officio member of the board. He only was able to get rid of them because they rented space from the diocese and he had them locked out.