Time for Some Accountability?

Editor’s Note:  Usually, this week would be an “off” week, i.e., a week when Lay Pulpit does not publish (we usually post only every other week).  But we’re doing a little “special edition” this week, because we just couldn’t pass up reporting about something that we read in Dannie Dolan’s August 30 Bishop’s Corner.  So, sit back and enjoy this week’s “special edition.”  We think that you’ll be interested in what we have to say.

In his August 30 Bishop’s Corner, Dannie Dolan mentioned one little tidbit that (he probably hopes) might have gone unnoticed: “Fr. Cekada and I have been away for a little rest before the new season starts in earnest on September 8th.”  Yes, folks, Dannie and Tony slipped away again for one of their little “sabbaticals.”  Apparently, Dannie’s “apostolates” to Argentina and Mexico (where he pigged out on “copious quantities of beef” during Lent) were not enough “getting away,” nor were Tony’s frequent visits to his hometown of Milwaukee.  Given that, it was curious that Dannie and Tony even took the trip; but we certainly understand why he mentioned this “after the fact.”

In “the old days,” Dannie would simply proclaim beforehand that he and Tony were going to The Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a “rest” – and the Gerties would unquestionably rubber-stamp it.  But now, Dannie chose to mention it afterwards.  The reason, no doubt, is that his Gerties are now aware of (and wary of) his free-spending habits; and they might now have questioned why he and Tony went on such a boondoggle – especially at a time when he’s begging them for money week after week – and they might have balked at such a proposition. 

But mentioning it afterwards prevents them from doing so, because the trip is already an accomplished fact.  Another advantage of not disclosing it until afterwards is that it allows Dannie to “cover his tracks” in some way, or “altering” (or even hiding) some of the financial “details” pertaining to the trip.  Of course, as he’s always done in the past, he could simply not give them any details at all – and just tell them to “shut up and obey.”  (After all, that’s always worked in the past!)  But the climate is different now at SGG.  Those Gerties aren’t so gullibly acquiescent as they used to be (plus, they know all about the Bishop’s Lodge, that it’s Dannie’s “favorite spot,” and that it’s frightfully expensive).  If Dannie admits that he and Tony have gone there, that just might be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” for them; and they might pull up stakes and leave. 

But even if it wasn’t the Bishop’s Lodge – even if they’d stayed “at a Motel 6 in Yonkers” – the Gerties are not likely to take kindly to the expenditure, for it comes at a time when SGG’s finances are “strained” – and comes on the heels of Dannie’s repeated pleas for them to pay for “high heating bills,” AC repair bills, “African mission expenses,” Tony’s new organ, etc., etc., etc., while he, Tony, and the rest of their clergy are traveling the world on “apostolates.”

We think that Dannie has “gone to the well” one too many times here, and that his Gerties are getting tired of funding all these “causes” – and are looking for some ACCOUNTABILITY.  Will they get it?  Certainly not – at least, not right away -- because Dannie and Tony are used to getting what they want, and to being answerable to no one (much less, to their parishioners).  He and Tony are probably going to try to “stonewall” their way at first, and/or try to “gin up” some justification for their trip.  But we believe that “the old magic” is not going to work for them this time: the parishioners are going to start DEMANDING accountability and total transparency.  Will they get it?  What do you think?

Another thing that SGG’s parishioners should be concerned about is this: why are Dannie and Tony traveling together for their “rest”?  In the past, priests may have traveled together “on church business,” but NEVER for personal reasons.  In the past, priests never “went on vacation together” (for reasons that ought to be obvious) – especially to posh resorts in the desert southwest.  This is another “practice” that Dannie and Tony should dispense with.  But will they?  Again, what do you think?  (We know what we think.)