Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) Releases Results of the 2024 Diocesan Finance and Governance Reviews

BOSTON, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VOTF, a Catholic Lay Apostolate committed to promoting transparency in Church operations, has published its 2024 diocesan financial and governance transparency reports. Before being publicly released, the reports were sent to each diocesan bishop and to CFOs of each of the 176 dioceses in the USCCB. The average overall 2024 transparency score remained unchanged from 71% in 2023 to 71% in 2024. The overall governance score increased from 34% in 2023 to 35% in 2024. The 2024 reports and all previous VOTF reports on diocesan financial and governance transparency may be found on the VOTF website clicking here.

Ten dioceses and archdioceses received scores of 100% in the 2024 Financial Transparency review. Most of them received perfect scores in 2023 as well. Several dioceses achieved notable gains in financial transparency. The financial transparency score of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, for example, increased 50 points. Six dioceses received 2024 governance scores of 95% or 100%, and the governance score of the Archdiocese of Denver increased by 63 points in 2024. More details may be found here.

In both reviews, significant increases in some diocesan scores were offset by large decreases in others, leading to the same or only slightly increased average scores in 2024. In some cases financial reports were not updated in a timely fashion. "VOTF considers posting current audited financial statements to be the hallmark of diocesan financial transparency, and it is essential that the current report be available to diocesan faithful," said VOTF trustee Margaret Roylance.

Information previously available on other diocesan websites simply disappeared in 2024 for no apparent reason. For example, the link to the financial summary of the Archdiocese of New York disappeared between 2023 and 2024. As a result, New York lost 25 points between 2023 and 2024 and received a 2024 score of 12 points out of 100. This was the lowest score of any diocese in the USCCB.

VOTF congratulates those dioceses that led the way in transparency and accountability in 2024 and those that made significant gains this year as well. Although some disappointing lapses in transparency were noted, we are gratified by the dedication of most US dioceses to providing Catholics with up-to-date information on how their contributions are being used. We remain committed to working for transparency throughout the Church. Such transparency can enhance lay stewardship, promote generosity, and build trust in the leadership of the Catholic Church nationwide.

Voice of the Faithful Statement,Apr 30, 2025, contact [emailprotected], (781) 559-3360

SOURCE Voice of the Faithful