×

Excellent questions beget honest answers

Dear Editor,

Did you know that the Diocese of Steubenville has an “Official Diocesan Directory”? However, you won’t find the directory on the Diocese of Steubenville’s website, or in its newspaper, The Steubenville Register, or on its Facebook page. I found it on the Noble County Catholic Churches website by Googling (nccchurches 45th edition Official Diocesan Directory). There is information in the directory, historical and current, which would be of interest to the members of the diocese. Many dioceses around the country post their directory on their website including the Diocese of Cleveland and the Diocese of Toledo. The information includes their Finance Council members and Presbyteral Council members.

The names of the members on the Diocese of Steubenville’s Finance Council have not been published on the diocese’s website or newspaper for all members to see. However, the names are listed in the 45th edition of the Official Diocesan Directory and they are: Bishop Monforton, Msgr. John Kolesar, Father James Dunfee, Father Bradley Greer, Gregory Agresta, Thomas Hisrich, Mark Bradley, John Fischer, John Mascio, Patrick Henry and Susan Tolbert.

Bishop Monforton met with the Finance Council on Nov. 30. What was the outcome of that meeting? Are there minutes of that meeting posted or were attendees directed to not record any minutes? Were the accountants present? Were any council members excluded from the meeting because of their opposition to the merger? Has Monforton told the council why he has not posted the names of the council members on its website or in The Steubenville Register? Has he told them why he has not posted annual audited financial information? What is the accountants’ assessment of the current financial condition of the diocese? The members deserve to hear the answers to these questions from Bishop Monforton.

Monforton made the major decision to merge with Columbus almost two years ago without consulting the Diocesan Presbyteral Council (names are in the Official Diocesan Directory) or Finance Council. He said two months ago, after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) declined to vote on the merger, that “further discussion regarding the Diocese of Steubenville’s future will be conducted at the diocesan level”. Is Bishop Monforton capable of leading those discussions, listening to differing opinions and making objective decisions about your diocese’s future? He has proven that he is not capable because of his secretive, autonomous, non transparent decisions.

There is no principled reason why any bishop should not be held responsible for serious misconduct. Bishop Monforton needs to be held accountable by those he leads and by those he reports to. Members need to demand that Monforton answer their questions, truthfully.

It was encouraging to see the synergy level among the lay and clergy members, as well as others, that existed prior to the decision to not vote on the merger at the USCCB conference.

That synergy level needs to be taken to a higher level before it’s too late and the Diocese of Steubenville ceases to exist.

Frank Krajovic

Steubenville Catholic Central High School

Class of 1965

Woodstock, Georgia

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today