“In the spirit of a synodal church, we call on USCCB leadership to be transparent in its operations, decision-making, and finances by publicly answering the questions raised by their action.”
June 28, 2024 • For immediate release
The Association of US Catholic Priests joins other programs, individuals, and advocates committed to Justice, Peace, and Human Development for the most marginalized members of society in sadness and astonishment at the news that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has decided to significantly restructure and downsize its department dedicated to “promoting awareness of Catholic social teaching and opportunities to live the Baptismal call to love God and neighbor.” This action comes at a time when our nation is in danger of completely ignoring the needs of those yearning to be free from the constraints of poverty. The USCCB action is confusing because it was taken without the knowledge of the episcopal body and took place less than two weeks after many U.S. bishops strongly supported the conference’s domestic anti-poverty initiative.
In the spirit of a synodal church, we call on USCCB leadership to be transparent in its operations, decision-making, and finances by publicly answering the questions raised by their action:
- What process led to these decisions, and who was involved?
- Why were the bishops not told of this intended action when they stated their support for continuing the efforts that the offices affected by these severe cuts manage?
- How will programmatic accountability be ensured now that half of the oversight staff is cut?
- How is the donor intent of those who give so much financial support to these programs protected?
- We ask that a forensic audit be performed and that it detail financial facts of which even the bishops are unaware. We ask that it be reported in a user-friendly format that enhances understanding, answering such questions as how the various elements connect. Why was there a massive drop in spending from FY 2021 to FY 2022 while income remained the same?
In the words of some of our partners in the field, “Our faith-filled work for peace, the work to promote Gospel nonviolence and to advocate for those on the margins, those who are impoverished, those who are struggling for justice, is best done together; it is strengthened in community.” “To have an organization like the USCCB gut its work for social justice is a tragedy and will affect our partners not only in this country but worldwide.”
For comment of more information, contact:
Rev. Stephen P. Newton, CSC, Executive Director
auscpexdir@gmail.com • (312) 882 4228