Bishops' vote could bring lower diocesan contributions to Holy See

Published: 2006-11-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- If the U.S. bishops decide at their November meeting in Baltimore to reduce diocesan assessments for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, it could also lead to some U.S. dioceses giving less to support the Holy See in coming years. "It's possible, but it doesn't necessarily follow," said Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, Minn., USCCB treasurer. The bishops, meeting Nov. 13-16, are slated to vote on a proposal that would reduce their assessments for funding USCCB activities by 16 percent in 2008 -- from a current yearly total of $11.9 million to $10 million. The reduced funding proposal is part of a larger plan for significant cutbacks in USCCB committees, staff and operations. But since 1992, according to the Canon Law Society of America's "New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law," U.S. bishops have been asked to make annual diocesan contributions to the Holy See that match the amount they are assessed to fund the bishops' conference.

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