shell game

By Diogenes ( articles ) | May 23, 2005

The Boston Globe has a story on a lay push for a probe into the handling of donated monies on the part of the Archdiocese of Boston:

The heart of the complaint is the accusation that the archdiocese diverted about $4.5 million donated annually by parishioners over 16 years for the priests' pension fund, which is now badly underfunded.

So the question, lads, is this: Did you divert the $4.5 million?

"The Archdiocese takes up special collections for many purposes including support for our clergy," Chancellor David W. Smith said in a statement released by the archdiocese.

Great. We believe you. But did you divert the $4.5 million?

"Each one of those collections is remitted exactly as we represent it will be.

Wonderful. We believe you. But did you divert the $4.5 million?

"Both the Archdiocese of Boston and the clergy funds are audited on an annual basis ..."

Outstanding. We believe you. But did you divert the $4.5 million?

"...and at no time have any of the audit firms raised any questions whatsoever about our handling of these funds."

I repeat the question.