Dear Editor,
An audit of the diocese, the chancery and the bishop is a tall order. I have been told that an audit has been requested before with no success. Apparently, the chancery and the bishop feel that they do not need to answer to anyone.
This is a job that I cannot do by myself. If everyone would join in a letter writing campaign we would have a better chance.
I know this all comes back to FEAR — you don’t want the church to get your name on a blacklist. It is easy enough to type up a simple short letter saying you support an audit — don’t sign your name or put a return address on the envelope and you will remain anonymous.
Direct your letters to Stewardship Office, 2207 West Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914.
If you are feeling rather brave you can e—mail your request for an audit to diojeffcity.org.
An audit should go back as far as when Bishop McKnight came to Jefferson City. A lot has happened since then. If everything is above board there should be no problem with an audit.
Fr. Stephan Jones told me that many parishes deposit their money with the diocese because they get a better interest rate. If I were one of those parishes with money banked with the diocese, I would want and expect an audit from time to time and this is the time.
I know stewardship has been the hot sermon topic lately — the diocese needs your money and has no problem guilting you into giving more.
After all, Catholics are born with an innate sense of guilt and the Church has used that and built on it for centuries. Guilt and fear go hand in hand for Catholics, but that is tradition. That is how they keep parishes in line.
I guess the diocese needs more money to pay for all those trips that priests and others take — more than ever before. How many times do you have to go to Rome and why?
An audit would give us some answers and hold the chancery, diocese and the bishop accountable for all funds no matter where they come from.
We just need to know that our money is being spent wisely.
Write those letters!
Kristie Scheulen
Loose Creek
