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Posted Thursday, February 21, 2008
Statements concerning our financial crisis
Open Forum October 14, 2007
Oct 1 | 2007
In the interest of transparency, and in order to be an agent of rebuilding both confidence and trust in the Diocese of Pennsylvania and its governing bodies, the Standing Committee believes it is helpful for our diocesan family to understand the serious financial situation we are facing concerning Wapiti, and how the governing bodies have been addressing, and continue to address, the issues concerning this property and the assets of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
We would like to make clear the current situation, not the history of what has brought us to this place.
The state of Maryland has decided not to purchase any portion of the property at Wapiti, and the Conservation Fund has decided that after five years (our original agreement with them was for two years – a number of extensions have been signed since) they want us to purchase the property, as was planned, and pay them the negotiated amount agreed to, and to do this now. No more extensions.
This has caused a financial crisis and, as such, the situation came first to the Finance and Property Committee to consider.
As the Finance and Property Committee grappled with the best course of action to take during the last weeks of August and into September, they invited into their meetings members of the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of Diocesan Council. The Chancellor of the diocese has determined that it will be up to the Finance and Property Committee to decide the fate of Wapiti. The Finance and Property Committee did not think it healthy to stand alone but rather has attempted to gain a consensus among the governing bodies of the diocese. This is a good thing! The more transparency we are able to gain in the diocese at this point the better the communications and understanding of what we are facing will be understood. And if the governing bodies can come together in making some hard decisions this will be a step towards a healthier diocese.
The subject of Wapiti is highly emotional and seems almost impossible to bring up without people reacting in extremely diverse, and divisive, ways. Those of us who are willing to share the facts are interested in doing just that – making clear the financial reality we are facing. The subject, as we have stated numerous times since this crisis began, is not about our bishop, or taking sides, or anything personal. It’s about the financial crisis we are facing. This is real. And it is important that as many people in the diocese understand it as possible so that a good, clear, and understandable decision can be made and a level of confidence within the diocese achieved.
As to the Wapiti Board, they can, and are, meeting and considering possible ways to handle the situation, and we thank them for their hard work and dedication, and look forward to their input. But they are not the governing body that can make the financial decisions that are being considered at this point. (Though it is important to remember that Wapiti Board members sit on all the governing bodies – the Finance and Property Committee, the Standing Committee, and Diocesan Council – and so the Board has not been left out of any of the considerations being discussed and has had voice and vote through those representatives). It was the Finance and Property Committee, according to the Chancellor, that had to make the hard decision as to whether to close Wapiti and lay off the staff as of Monday, October 15, 2007. And it was with the openness and sharing of facts that they had the support of the Standing Committee as they made that decision. The Finance and Property Committee made their decision as to this closing, and will continue to grapple with our best way forward. They have resolved to have a Business Plan in place soon so that the realities of our options are clear and a responsible use of assets is understood by all. They continue to include members of the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of Diocesan Council in their meetings and continue to invite open dialogue between all the governing bodies.
The Standing Committee supports the Finance and Property Committee and appreciates, honors, and supports their efforts towards transparency. As such, we are sponsoring an Open Forum on Sunday, October 14, 2007, at St. Mary’s Church, Wayne from 5 – 7 p.m. We are inviting members of the Finance and Property Committee, the Wapiti Board, and the Executive Committee of Diocesan Council to join us as we make ourselves available to all members of the Diocese of Pennsylvania for questions and open dialogue.
St. Mary’s Church’s street address is 104 Louella Avenue, (corner of Lancaster and Louella Avenues) Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087. Off street parking is available. If you need a handicapped parking space, please call the church office at 610-688-1313. For those using public transportation to St. Mary’s, please use the SEPTA website to plan your trip. The website is www.septa.org. St. Mary’s is a short walk from the Wayne Train Station.
Please know of our dedication to the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. We ask you for your prayers as we seek to discern God’s will for us in this and other endeavors, temporal and spiritual.
Your brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Standing Committee