In response to efforts to address economic problems, including the continued sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of New York announced layoffs affecting 18 operational staff members. The job cuts represent a 4 % reduction in the workforce.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in a email to the archdiocese, said, as quoted by the New York Post,” For decisions are rarely easy, but the current fiscal crunch the archbishop faces, and the future move to our innovative offices in 2025, make this the ideal time to make some difficult decisions”.
The archdiocese is anticipated to save more than$ 1.5 million annually as a result of the layoffs. Following the recent sale of the Cardinal Cooke headquarters building for more than$ 100 million, this is a significant development. The archbishop intends to move its administrative agencies to a smaller Madison Avenue building.
Dolan acknowledged that the staffing decrease “is hardly a one-time occasion,” which raises the possibility of additional work cuts. He emphasized that the archdiocese prioritizes its churches ‘ tools, noting that “our goal is to ensure that we are responding because effectively as possible to the needs of the people we are called upon to assist in this archdiocese’s ten regions and nearly 300 churches.”
Dolan believes that the Church’s financial strain is still important in the wake of numerous sex abuse claims brought against it. The archdiocese and its insurer are now at odds with one another about the extent of some states ‘ coverage.
Dolan remarked,” We have worked hard to resolve worthy situations that are not covered by insurance and in accordance with the victims of earlier times,” He emphasized the continued financial burden of handling 123 further cases brought on by the Child Victims Act of 2019 and over 400 cases handled by an independent payment plan.
Dolan said the sale of the office will help to lessen the financial stress brought on by the sex abuse crisis, with the possibility of selling additional properties even being taken into account. He stressed the need for” approach and sacrifice”, along with aid from churches and the area, to maintain long-term financial security.
The New York Post reports that despite these difficulties, the archdiocese intends to use some of the savings to fund grants for churches, particularly for initiatives like unique masses for immigrant communities.
