Thursday, May 20, 2004

Archbishop Dolan cuts 23 archdiocesan jobs

Facing a $1 million deficit in the current budget, Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan has eliminated 23 jobs in his central administration offices for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

"But, I also owe you candor," his message says. "The major reason for our shortfall has been the anticipated costs associated with the clergy sexual abuse crisis."

His message notes the costs of these measures: the VIRTUS Program to prevent sexual abuse, which has been used to train 13,000 people; mediation for and outreach to people who were sexually abused by priests as minors, including the designing of a new system and the hiring of outside professionals; having attorneys defend lawsuits; providing therapy, counseling and support services for victims; and complying with church law requirements that offending priests removed from active ministry be provided with at least minimal support.
Additional training of 13,000 people because some priests and bishops failed miserably in their vow of chastity?

But then again, I had heard years ago that the many dissenters employed by the archdiocese were fearful of losing their jobs when Abp. Weakland was replaced, but then that is a different story.

Article here.

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