The following comes from a May 18 story in the Catholic Voice.
The Diocese of Oakland is widely distributing a detailed financial report of its operations in advance of launching a $65 million Capital Campaign later this year.
While the diocese has always published its annual financial statement on the diocesan website, this year it is publishing an annotated version in both this issue of The Catholic Voice and the June issue of the Spanish-language El Heraldo Católico. Extra copies of the financial report will be disseminated to clergy for use in parishes. The report will also be available online on the Voice, Heraldo and diocesan websites.
The wider notice is a first step in a bid for greater transparency.
“The diocese is in sound financial condition,” Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, wrote in a letter to East Bay Catholics. “I am committed to being open and transparent as we move forward together to address the financial challenges we share.”
“Our Lord and savior expects us to be accountable, prudent and transparent in how we use the gifts entrusted to us by the generous parishioners who fund the many ministries and programs of the Church. These ministries are essential if we are to fulfill the mission Jesus gave the Apostles and to all of us.”
“Everything we have is a gift of love from God,” Bishop Barber said in an earlier interview, noting even a faith community has a need for capital.
Combined revenue for the diocese in 2012 was $238 million, including income from schools, parishes, cemeteries, Catholic Charities of the East Bay and the Cathedral of Christ the Light, against expenses of $234 million. Audited results for 2013 are not yet available….
To read the entire story, click here.
Just like a business or family, the budget and monthly statement of expenditures and assets tell the story. Where we put our money says a lot about us. If we take a look at the entire financial report that was issued by the Diocese of Oakland, it is hard to accuse them of not doing the right things. Money is raised and spent for the things of the church: education, faith formation, charity, evangelizing, seminaries, care of retired priests, etc. This is the work of the church. I didn’t see any part of the financial report that raised issues. They should be congratulated for their report and it should set a minimum standard for all other diocese in the country.
I have to say…..that is not a beautiful Church structure.
I commend the Diocese of Oakland for publishing financial data. Unfortunately, neither Church Law nor Secular law requires them to do so. If a Diocese declines to publish financial data, I always wonder WHY NOT??
On a separate point, I wonder what the architecture critics of the middle ages said about the Cathedrals as they were being built.