Catholic World News News Feature

Illinois bishop faces inquiry on use of funds January 14, 2008

The diocesan finance council in Belleville, Illinois, has appealed to the Vatican for an inquiry into the use of Church funds, the city's News-Democrat reports.

The focus of the inquiry is Bishop Edward Braxton, whose administration has been openly criticized by priests of the Belleville diocese. The questions raised by the finance committee involve the use of funds that were raised for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

A spokesman for the diocesean finance council declined to provide details of the complaint, citing confidentiality requirements, but confirmed that the group had appealed to the apostolic nuncio in Washington. The nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, declined to comment, as did Bishop Braxton. Msgr. John Kozar, the director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, also avoided making a detailed comment, but told the News-Democrat that "priests in Belleville are extremely concerned about this."