Santa Rosa Diocese pays off last of debt to parishes

Published: 2007-01-24

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (CNS) -- Bishop Daniel F. Walsh of Santa Rosa announced in January that the diocese has finished restoring to its parishes, cemeteries and schools the funds that were lost in the 1999 collapse of the diocesan consolidated fund. Diocesan finance officer Deacon Michael Urick told Catholic News Service Jan. 23 that the diocese also has repaid emergency loans it received from other dioceses across the country, with the exception of the loans from other dioceses in California. "We still have a few goals" to meet, he said, including full restoration of the priests' pension fund and setting aside scholarship money for students in Catholic schools. A news release from the diocese said that the diocesan capital campaign to recover from the 1999 crisis has raised pledges totaling $18.6 million so far. Its target is $20 million. "With the current quarterly payment from campaign receipts, the diocese eliminates a $9.4 million debt to parish communities in six counties and will now begin disbursement of campaign funds to other targeted recipients of such donations," the release said.

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