Comments on: Taking up the conversation on Catholic Charities… http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/taking-up-the-conversation-on-catholic-charities/ Connecting the dots between Catholic faith and culture Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:29:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Susan Timoney http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/taking-up-the-conversation-on-catholic-charities/comment-page-1/#comment-3342 Susan Timoney Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:13:52 +0000 http://blog.adw.org/?p=4845#comment-3342 We continue to work on all of the issues you raise, even in light of the passage of the bill today. Within the past month the Archdiocese printed a long story in the Catholic Standard about its finances and the challenges we are facing. Thanks for taking the time to post a comment. We continue to work on all of the issues you raise, even in light of the passage of the bill today. Within the past month the Archdiocese printed a long story in the Catholic Standard about its finances and the challenges we are facing. Thanks for taking the time to post a comment.

]]> By: Susan Timoney http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/taking-up-the-conversation-on-catholic-charities/comment-page-1/#comment-3341 Susan Timoney Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:09:20 +0000 http://blog.adw.org/?p=4845#comment-3341 We don't want to end our partnership with the city, because together we do terrific work on behalf of many city residents. We believe we can find a way to work together but not at the expense of our fidelity to the Gospel. We don’t want to end our partnership with the city, because together we do terrific work on behalf of many city residents. We believe we can find a way to work together but not at the expense of our fidelity to the Gospel.

]]> By: Kurt http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/taking-up-the-conversation-on-catholic-charities/comment-page-1/#comment-3339 Kurt Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:54:06 +0000 http://blog.adw.org/?p=4845#comment-3339 "Why does the Archdiocese need to discuss its decisions with the DC Council? Are other vendors working with the city subject to that expectation? Why do they need to offer a reason to any, other than those who support the Archdiocese, as to the details of why they are parting company?" No, if the Archdiocese simply wants to part company, it owes no explanation. If they have a suggested amendment to a proposed law, then they do have a need to talk with the lawmakers. "I view the DC Council as a rogue group who seem determined to serve their own agenda and IGNORE the wishes of the people they are supposed to represent. Seems really ironic to me that they still voice off about lack of representation." It is an unresolved matter if the Councilmembers are following the will of their constitiuents or not. That matter will be resolved on election day. “Why does the Archdiocese need to discuss its decisions with the DC Council? Are other vendors working with the city subject to that expectation? Why do they need to offer a reason to any, other than those who support the Archdiocese, as to the details of why they are parting company?”

No, if the Archdiocese simply wants to part company, it owes no explanation. If they have a suggested amendment to a proposed law, then they do have a need to talk with the lawmakers.

“I view the DC Council as a rogue group who seem determined to serve their own agenda and IGNORE the wishes of the people they are supposed to represent. Seems really ironic to me that they still voice off about lack of representation.”

It is an unresolved matter if the Councilmembers are following the will of their constitiuents or not. That matter will be resolved on election day.

]]> By: anon http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/taking-up-the-conversation-on-catholic-charities/comment-page-1/#comment-3332 anon Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:38:47 +0000 http://blog.adw.org/?p=4845#comment-3332 Why does the Archdiocese need to discuss its decisions with the DC Council? Are other vendors working with the city subject to that expectation? Why do they need to offer a reason to any, other than those who support the Archdiocese, as to the details of why they are parting company? I view the DC Council as a rogue group who seem determined to serve their own agenda and IGNORE the wishes of the people they are supposed to represent. Seems really ironic to me that they still voice off about lack of representation. Why does the Archdiocese need to discuss its decisions with the DC Council? Are other vendors working with the city subject to that expectation? Why do they need to offer a reason to any, other than those who support the Archdiocese, as to the details of why they are parting company?

I view the DC Council as a rogue group who seem determined to serve their own agenda and IGNORE the wishes of the people they are supposed to represent. Seems really ironic to me that they still voice off about lack of representation.

]]> By: kurt http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/taking-up-the-conversation-on-catholic-charities/comment-page-1/#comment-3329 kurt Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:59:34 +0000 http://blog.adw.org/?p=4845#comment-3329 If I can make a few observations: "The Archdiocese has explored a number of options talked about in the press;including 'the San Francisco option”... If it has, it would be helpful if they would communicate that with leaders on DC Council. My understanding from Councilmembers is that the Archdiocese has not discussed its finding as to the SF option with them. "Our research shows that the reality is that the U.S. Labor Department has released that ERISA only applies to pension benefits and not health care." I think your reasearch is incorrect. One of the reasons employers seek exemption from ERISA is to avoid certain requirements such as COBRA rights for laid-off employees and the obligation to cooperate with the Courts when they seek to garnish wages for non-payment of child support or alimony. I pray to God that Catholic Charities is not afraid to comply with these just obligations. "She also suggests that what might really be at issue is that Catholic Charities needs to cut its budget and is using the city as a “scapegoat” to deal with budget issues. Now, that seems just plain rude..." Yes, it may have well been expressed in a rude way. I will say that based on the scant information that is shared with the lay faithful about the use of our gifts to the Archdiocese, the idea that there are serious financial issues with the Church is present. It has already made an exit from some important aposolates and it certainly seems legitimate to think more are coming. "Under the narrow religious exemptions in the bill, Catholic Charities might become ineligible to partner with the government in the delivery of social services. The language we are proposing insures the kind of religious exemption that is more consistent with existing protections and exemptions under the DC Human Rights Act, the Constitution and federal protective statutes." I think we can all appreciate that the Archdiocese has modified its original statement from "it will" to "might". I personally can support the results of the language the Archdiocese proposed. But the langauge was certainly polemetical and not surprisingly made those with the other viewpoint feel the Archdiocese was not acting in good faith. I would suggest they take a second look at the ERISA issue, this time with competent legal advisors. If I can make a few observations:

“The Archdiocese has explored a number of options talked about in the press;including ‘the San Francisco option”…

If it has, it would be helpful if they would communicate that with leaders on DC Council. My understanding from Councilmembers is that the Archdiocese has not discussed its finding as to the SF option with them.

“Our research shows that the reality is that the U.S. Labor Department has released that ERISA only applies to pension benefits and not health care.”

I think your reasearch is incorrect.

One of the reasons employers seek exemption from ERISA is to avoid certain requirements such as COBRA rights for laid-off employees and the obligation to cooperate with the Courts when they seek to garnish wages for non-payment of child support or alimony. I pray to God that Catholic Charities is not afraid to comply with these just obligations.

“She also suggests that what might really be at issue is that Catholic Charities needs to cut its budget and is using the city as a “scapegoat” to deal with budget issues. Now, that seems just plain rude…”

Yes, it may have well been expressed in a rude way. I will say that based on the scant information that is shared with the lay faithful about the use of our gifts to the Archdiocese, the idea that there are serious financial issues with the Church is present. It has already made an exit from some important aposolates and it certainly seems legitimate to think more are coming.

“Under the narrow religious exemptions in the bill, Catholic Charities might become ineligible to partner with the government in the delivery of social services.

The language we are proposing insures the kind of religious exemption that is more consistent with existing protections and exemptions under the DC Human Rights Act, the Constitution and federal protective statutes.”

I think we can all appreciate that the Archdiocese has modified its original statement from “it will” to “might”. I personally can support the results of the language the Archdiocese proposed. But the langauge was certainly polemetical and not surprisingly made those with the other viewpoint feel the Archdiocese was not acting in good faith.

I would suggest they take a second look at the ERISA issue, this time with competent legal advisors.

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