Posted on 04/13/2006 1:47:01 PM PDT by Diago
The Reason Pilla Left? Feds investigating Catholic Diocese financial officers.
When Richard Lennon was named the new bishop of Cleveland's Catholic Diocese last week, a Plain Dealer headline noted that "Lennon has always said yes when asked to do tough jobs." His new job may be his toughest yet.
Though Lennon, a Boston auxiliary bishop, was in the midst of that diocese's massive pedophile scandal, he'll face a new round of problems in Cleveland: the impending indictments of church financial officials.
The U.S. Attorney's Office is reportedly in the midst of an investigation that may involve significant improprieties. Church officials have been accused of creating off-the-book accounts -- some as large as $400,000 -- for their personal use. They also allegedly asked outside contractors to overbill the diocese, then redirect the excess payments to church officials and their designates.
Finally, there is speculation that certain contracts may have benefited the relatives of church leaders, and that "lady friends" of priests were supported by church money, though this could not be confirmed.
Whatever finally arises from the probe, it's bound to be embarrassing. "This is money that comes from little old ladies who put their quarters and their dollars in the plate every week," says one source. "They're giving everything they have."
The U.S. Attorney's Office never comments on ongoing probes. "We can neither confirm nor deny any investigation," says First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Edwards.
The diocese is equally loath to speak. "I don't think we have anything to comment on anyway, until legal action would be taken," says spokesman Bob Tayek.
Yet the news may shed light on Bishop Anthony Pilla's early departure. Pilla is mysteriously leaving his post two years before retirement age, saying only that it is time for change. For the bishop, the best part of that change may be the chance to get out of Dodge.
WRONG! Homosexual scandal. MSM refuses to state what the scandal actually is. Pedophilia has never been the problem.
>> Finally, there is speculation that certain contracts may have benefited the relatives of church leaders, and that "lady friends" of priests were supported by church money <<
It's pretty sad when you find out church officials have been embezzling church funds to pay to their sex partners and my first thought is, "Ha! That's unbelievable... I can't believe they're FEMALE!"
Rumors about a financial scandal in the Diocese of Cleveland have been circulating for the past few years. This would certainly explain the Diocese's fixation with finances, with squeezing as much money out of parishes as possible, with the whole bean-counter mentality that they seem to have at the chancery.
If this scandal turns out to be true, it will just underscore the incompetence and mismanagement that have characterized Bishop Pilla's reign.
thor76 has stated as much for years.
A bishop who plunders the spiritual treasury of the Church will as soon plunder her temporal treasury.
A complete mess.
We must pray for all involved.
Right! It is and was a NAMBLA problem.
RamS
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