Bp. Mark raises the ire of Met. Philip

From The Ochlophobist:

TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN
AND READ AT THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

December 3, 2009

Brother Hierarchs of the Archdiocesan Synod, Beloved Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, Parish Councils and God-loving faithful of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest:

Greetings in the name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you are all in good health as we continue our preparation for His Nativity in the Flesh.

Last month, a directive was sent out by His Grace, Bishop MARK implementing a new financial system of checks and balances for our parishes in the Diocese of Toledo. After this letter was issued, I spoke with His Grace and expressed my concerns about unilateral actions being taken in individual dioceses regarding such major issues. Unfortunately, following our conversation, a second, even stronger letter was issued to all of you. Without weighing in on the merits or short-comings of the system outlined in these directives, a major mistake was made with regard to policies and procedures in trying to implement this, or any new protocols in our one, united Archdiocese.

Let me remind both the members of the clergy and the laity, that before any new policies or procedures effecting the life of our God-protected Archdiocese are to be implemented or directed by anyone, whether with regard to spiritual or temporal aspects of parish life, they must first be approved by myself and the Archdiocesan Synod and, in some cases especially those dealing with financial procedures), the Archdiocese Board of Trustees.

We have one financial system in this Archdiocese and it will remain that way. When new ideas are put forth and/or new situations arise that require our attention, the Metropolitan, the Archdiocesan Synod and, where applicable, the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees will consider them and a decision will be made for the entire Archdiocese, rather than each diocese having its own set of policies. Therefore, please disregard any directives regarding new policies or procedures for your parishes you may have received or may receive in the future unless they are issued from my office under my signature.

Let me also remind you that our long-standing directive that each check issued by any organization of the parish must have two signatures, and that neither of those two signatures are to be affixed to blank checks, is still in effect. Additionally, all bank statements and accounts should be reviewed monthly by the pastor and the parish council chairman in addition to the treasurer. Finally, please know that at our Archdiocese Board meeting this past October in Houston, the Board approved an internal audit of the Archdiocese. We can also suggest this for parishes if you feel the need to do something proactive. Given that external audits are expensive and many parishes in the Archdiocese, especially many of those in the Midwest, cannot even pay their Archdiocese assessment this year due to the economic situation, to impose such a system at this time is not prudent.

Wishing you and your families a spiritually rewarding remainder of the Nativity Fast and,in anticipation, a most joyous Nativity, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,
+Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America