|
A
report to the people of the Local Church
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
Once again I am pleased to present an accountability report for fiscal
years 2006 and 2005.
Figures and graphs are drawn from the audit of the Bishop’s Office
conducted by Katz, Sapper, & Miller, an Indianapolis-based accounting
firm. As in the past, an “unqualified” opinion was received. To achieve
an “unqualified” opinion, financial accounting standards must be met and
commonly accepted internal controls must be in place. The 2006 results
are reported in comparison to the 2005 audit since our main source of
funding, Fruitful Harvest, is a two-year campaign. This two-year
presentation will be rolled forward next year. As with all
not-for-profit organizations, accounting standards require that revenue
pledged during fund-raising campaigns be recognized in the year pledges
are made. Because of this and the campaign cycle, the audit reports show
more revenue during even-numbered years than in the odd-numbered years.
While financial performance shows a surplus of $4.9 million in 2006,
that figure should be balanced against a deficit of $1.7 million in
2005, a surplus of $1.2 million in 2004 and a deficit of $4.2 million in
2003. This is overall a net surplus in the last four years of $200,000.
This surplus represents about nine days of operating expenses for the
Chancery, Catholic Pastoral Center and related offices and activities.
The Central Administration (Bishop’s Office), 44 employees, has
successfully operated with budgetary restraint. Note that parish income
and parish expense each increased in 2006 about 1.5 percent. Note also
that in the pie chart and in the financial statement, the largest use of
funds was parish revenue sharing from Fruitful Harvest at $2.3 million,
or 30 percent. This figure is more than twice as large as the next
largest expense category.
The Catholics of Northcentral Indiana have demonstrated a strong faith
and personal financial commitment in assisting me and our priests in
meeting our ministerial responsibilities.
In addition, people have responded most generously to the special
collections on behalf of our seminarians. Your compassion and commitment
to our parishes, Fruitful Harvest and its programs, are a source of
ongoing inspiration.
Accountability is an important part of our stewardship responsibilities.
Each year the diocese subjects itself to the scrutiny of an independent
audit. The audited financial statements are available for inspection
through the Pastoral Office for Administration.
I have established and regularly confer with the Diocesan Finance
Council. The council, whose existence is required by canon law, approves
budgets and reviews the financial policies, procedures and activities of
the Church in Northcentral Indiana. Current members are:
• Leon Cyr, Sacred Heart Parish, Fowler;
• Leo Dierckman, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Carmel;
• Donald E. Goetz, St. Cecilia Parish, DeMotte;
• Lynn Layden of Lafayette;
• Edward Lopke, St. Patrick Parish, Kokomo;
• Marianne McLean, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Westfield;
• Thomas Parent, diocesan attorney, Cathedral of St. Mary of the
Immaculate Conception, Lafayette;
• Lee H. Snider, St. Mary Parish, Muncie;
• Msgr. Robert L. Sell, III, vicar general; and
• Robert H. Quinn, diocesan finance officer.
In plenary session held in November 2000, the bishops of the United
States unanimously approved a resolution regarding diocesan financial
reporting. They directed that at the end of each fiscal year, each
bishop report to the metropolitan archbishop the names and professional
titles of members of his Diocesan Finance Council, the dates on which
that Finance Council met and a statement signed by the Finance Council
members and the diocesan finance officer stating that they have reviewed
and discussed the audited financial statements of the diocese. The
Diocese of Lafayette has complied with that resolution.
The figures and graphs illustrate that the Catholics of Northcentral
Indiana are most generous. That generosity makes it possible for us to
fulfill the basic responsibilities expected of every Diocesan Church. I
am most grateful.
As our mission statement proclaims, we are a people gathered by the Holy
Spirit who demonstrate commitment to responsible stewardship.
Sincerely yours,
William L. Higi
Bishop of Lafayette-in-Indiana |
