Debts to be forgiven

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Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's announcement during the Sesquicentennial opening ceremony that the debts of parishes, schools and institutions in the Albany Diocese would be forgiven was met with a round of applause by the 1,200 people in attendance at the event at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.

How the plan will work is still to be announced, according to a Chancery official.

The Bishop explained that the year-long celebration of the Sesquicentennial would serve as a jubilee year. According to religious tradition, such a year is a time of celebration that includes the forgiveness of debt so that all can begin the next phase of the journey with a clean slate.

Debt forgiven

"In that tradition, then, I hereby announce a forthcoming plan to forgive the indebtedness for assessments and insurance accrued by our parishes, schools and institutions within the Diocese, which our Chancellor for Finance Jay Feeney informs me amounts to over $3.4 million," Bishop Hubbard said.

The announcement was the first time parishes and institutions learned of the plan, Mr. Feeney told The Evangelist. He explained that the plan, which is still to be released, will be helpful to many parishes, schools and institutions.

"This is common in a jubilee year," he said. "We researched other dioceses. This will provide some relief."

Money owed

The forgiveness of debt applies only to specific areas, he said, adding that "insurance and assessments cover most debt."

Mr. Feeney explained that the Diocese pays the liability insurance premiums and then bills parishes for their portion. If a parish experiences a hardship repaying the Diocese, it can be difficult, he said, noting that in some cases, "the debt could go back eight years."

Mr. Feeney explained that the plan of debt forgiveness was carefully constructed so as not to send out the wrong message -- that money owed to the Diocese does not need to be paid. Rather, the plan was created in the spirit of the jubilee year.

As Bishop Hubbard said in his homily, "I hope that this gesture on the part of diocesan administration will spur a similar response of healing, forgiveness and reconciliation throughout our Diocese, especially manifest in our care and concern for the poor and vulnerable, and prepare us well to move toward our 200th anniversary and into the new millennium." (MM)

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