Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid
By REESE DUNKLIN and MICHAEL REZENDESFebruary 4, 2021 GMT
https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-get-aid-investigation-39a404f55c82fea84902cd16f04e37b2
When the coronavirus forced churches to close their doors and give up Sunday collections, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte turned to the federal government’s signature small business relief program for more than $8 million.
The diocese’s headquarters, churches and schools landed the help even though they had roughly $100 million of their own cash and short-term investments available last spring, financial records show. When the cash catastrophe church leaders feared didn’t materialize, those assets topped $110 million by the summer.
Investigation: Catholic Church had $10B in cash before amassing billions in PPP loans abc7news.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc7news.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Associated Press investigation uncovered 112 Catholic dioceses collected at least $1.5billion in Paycheck Program Aid
Dioceses were granted taxpayer-backed aid despite sitting on $10billion in cash and assets
In all, nation s nearly 200 dioceses and other Catholic institutions received at least $3billion
Financial statements from dozens of dioceses show their available resources remained robust or improved
Archdiocese of Chicago had more than $1billion in cash and investments as donations continued pouring in
Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte received more than $8million from small business relief program, despite sitting on $100million in cash and investments
Los Angeles Archdiocese collected at least $80million in paycheck aid, at a time when headquarters reported $658million in available funds
Sitting on billions in reserve, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid for small businesses startribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from startribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer coronavirus aid as they sat on billions
Several had resources rivaling those of companies like Shake Shack and Ruthâs Chris Steak House, whose participation in the program triggered outrage.
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Worshippers gather for Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Parishes, schools and ministries in Los Angeles collected at least $80 million in paycheck protection aid even as the diocese reported over $650 million in available funds. [ ASHLEY LANDIS | AP ]
Published Feb. 4
When the coronavirus forced churches to close their doors and give up Sunday collections, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte turned to the federal governmentâs signature small business relief program for more than $8 million.