Bishops downsize their national conference, reduce assessments

Published: 2006-11-15

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- In a far-reaching move the U.S. bishops voted Nov. 14 to restructure their national operations significantly. They sharply reduced the number of committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved a 16 percent cut in diocesan assessments for the conference in 2008 -- decisions that will result in downsizing their national staff by eliminating about 60 jobs. Despite strenuous objections by some bishops over some of the planned staff cuts, the bishops adopted the comprehensive program of reorganization and strategic planning for 2008-2011 by a 213-19 vote. Heads of dioceses then, in a 158-6 vote, adopted the proposal to reduce diocesan funding of the USCCB in 2008 by 16 percent. Diocesan assessments, which will cover almost $11.9 million of the USCCB's $139.5 million budget in 2007, will be reduced in 2008 to just under $10 million. Only bishops who head dioceses are allowed to vote on decisions directly affecting the finances of their dioceses.

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