Archdiocese of Washington statement on funds for archbishop emeritus, Cardinal Donald Wuerl

The funds in our Continuing Ministry Activities account are donations made by persons who want to cover Cardinal Wuerl’s expenses and ministerial needs, including living expenses, prior travel for business in Rome, as well as for charitable requests asked of the archbishop emeritus.

These donations have accumulated over time and were made by persons who did not want to have the Archdiocese burdened with these expenses, even though the Archdiocese is obligated to support the ongoing ministerial needs of the archbishop emeritus before and after retirement.

Any remaining proceeds will be used to support the general purposes of the Archdiocese.

All the expenses of Cardinal Gregory and Cardinal Wuerl are reviewed by members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council throughout the year.  All expenditures go through the Archdiocese’s normal budget and internal control procedures, which are also audited by an accounting firm annually.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington continues to receive a clean opinion and no suggested or required audit adjustments.

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