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This isn\u2019t particularly surprising.<\/p>\nThis isn\u2019t particularly surprising.<\/p>\n
Although at the September 2019 synod, the diocese voted to marry same-sex couples in defiance of the General Synod vote that failed to approve same-sex marriage. I\u2019m sure the diocese is shocked that this bold move has not brought in floods of same-sex couples, opening their wallets to stuff $50 bills into the bishop\u2019s mitre.<\/p>\n
From here<\/a>:<\/p>\n Anglican diocese running out of cash, selling assets in ‘hemorrhage situation’<\/strong><\/p>\n The Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador has announced it’s running out of money and may need to stem its losses with layoffs, closures and sale of assets.<\/p>\n In an Oct. 5 letter obtained by CBC News, the diocesan finance committee said COVID-19 lockdown measures \u2014\u00a0which prevented gathering for worship for\u00a0months \u2014\u00a0had a “devastating impact” on the church’s finances.<\/p>\n “While a number of our parishes continued to receive offerings and donations via drop-off collections and electronic means, it is clear that COVID-19 has negatively impacted our stewardship,” the letter says.<\/p>\n Archdeacon Sam Rose told CBC\u00a0the pandemic has exacerbated previous financial struggles resulting from a reduction in church attendance.<\/p>\n “Like most organizations the onset of COVID accelerated this rapid decline,” he said Thursday.<\/p>\n Parishes largely operate on vitally important income from collections and fundraising dinners, Rose said.<\/p>\n “That essentially all came to a stop. We’re seeing now \u2026 the side effects of being shut down and locked down for the last six months.”<\/p>\n The letter outlines immediate emergency responses by the church last spring, including the receipt of $663,000 from the federal wage subsidy program, the bulk of which the diocese used to pay staff and clergy from April until Aug. 31.<\/p>\n Despite federal support, the church is\u00a0operating at a $65,000 monthly deficit and expects to run out of money by mid-2021, the letter stated. Some parishes have been unable to pay their clergy.<\/p>\n “Don’t get me wrong, we have very healthy parishes,” Rose said. “It’s the central office that is experiencing this setback right now.”<\/p>\n The diocese will end 2020 some $670,000 in the red, according to the finance committee’s estimate.<\/p>\n The report suggested selling diocesan assets as a short-term fix. Its vacant office property at 19 King’s Bridge Rd. is listed for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million.<\/p>\n “We must stress that the sale of property to provide operating revenue is an emergency response and must not be considered lightly,” the letter says, “as it only provides a Band-Aid solution to a hemorrhage situation.”<\/p>\n Officials within the diocese are hammering out a plan for the coming months, which may include building closures and layoffs. “Our way of being the church may look very different in the months to come,” the letter said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This isn\u2019t particularly surprising. Although at the September 2019 synod, the diocese voted to marry same-sex couples in defiance of the General Synod vote that failed to approve same-sex marriage. I\u2019m sure the diocese is shocked that this bold move … Continue reading