Nonprofit created for Diocese of Fort Worth donations to avoid bishop intervention
Those who spearheaded a petition asking for Bishop Michael Olson’s removal have formed a nonprofit organization to financially support Diocese of Fort Worth parishes, clergy and charities without the intervention of the bishop.
“We don’t trust where the bishop is spending money, but we still want the church to exist,” said Stephen Knobbe, a founding member of the Laity in Unity Foundation.
Pat Svacina, a spokesman for the diocese, said the bishop could not comment on the foundation because he had not been made aware of it.
A separate foundation in the diocese already exists. The Advancement Foundation supports the diocese’s schools, parishes and ministries. Most people who donate, Svacina said, ask for the funds to be used at specific parishes, for specific projects or for scholarships to Catholic schools. It had $92.6 million in assets as of June 30, 2018, according to its most recent audit.
“Sometimes donations say the bishop and diocese can use the money how they see fit,” Svacina said. “And when that happens, the bishop consults with the Fort Worth Advancement Foundation board of directors that manages and approves the distributions. If the bishop wants to spend the non-specified money on something, they have to consider the expense and consider if the bishop can use the money in that way.”
Knobbe said the Laity in Unity Foundation is still in its infancy. Without advertising, Knobbe said the group has already received $7,000.
“Many faithful have stopped tithing and giving to their parish and the diocese because of Bishop Olson,” Knobbe said in a letter to the Vatican regarding the creation of the foundation. “They do not trust him with the finances of the diocese.”
Money raised through the foundation will go directly to parishes to pay for everyday expenses, like electric and gas bills.
Parishioners will be able to donate directly to their parish by using the foundation, Knobbe said in a phone interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“We will distribute statements to all of the parishes that we collect money for,” he said. “So, if we collect $1,000 of money for the Prosper parish, then we would send a note to the pastor about how much we collected and we’d ask how we can help with their expenses.”
Knobbe said the group has spoken with a canon and civil lawyer to make sure the foundation was created and is operated correctly.
Knobbe said the group decided to create the foundation when it retained canon lawyer Philip Gray, who sent a petition to the Vatican that asked for Olson’s removal.
While the petition has not been made public, some reasons the group wants Olson ousted include:
▪ The public removal of the Rev. Richard Kirkham from St. Martin de Porres.
▪ The battle over San Mateo’s closure. Mass was last celebrated there on Nov. 20, 2016.
▪ The resignations of the Revs. Gary Picou, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Keller, and Jeff Poirot of Sacred Heart.
▪ Allegations that Olson has verbally abused several priests and used abusive and demeaning conduct toward parishioners.
▪ Alleged loss of donors to capital campaigns and to weekly stewardship at multiple parishes.
▪ The removal of the Kairos Retreat from Nolan Catholic High School.
This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
