World News
Tough economy forces Madison Diocese to freeze salaries, cut jobs
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MADISON, Wis. (CNS) -- The Diocese of Madison announced May 28 that because of a downturn in its investment income in the past fiscal year, it is freezing all salaries and cutting several positions across the 11-county diocese. "I cannot do or say anything which makes this decision any easier, and you know that layoffs were the very last option I would have chosen," Bishop Robert C. Morlino said a letter announcing the changes. "Let us keep one another in our prayers and be a support to one another as we work through this," he said. "Let us especially pray for those whose positions we will need to cut. Let us pray for the families of all of our co-workers and for all those who suffer in these times." All diocesan employees agreed to the total salary freeze and about 20 positions were eliminated. In addition employees will now have to pay more for the benefits they currently receive, and some staff members may be asked to take pay reductions. The south-central Wisconsin diocese also announced it would have to close the Catholic Multicultural Center, through which the diocese has provided meals, religious services, adult education, and employment assistance for those in need since the center's doors opened in December 2002. However, much of the center's outreach was expected to be met by the new Center for Vincentian Charity opened in February by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
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