Chancery operational and financial response to COVID-19

April 30, 2020

Dear  lay employees of the Diocese of Oakland,

I pray this finds you well and confident in our faith. These are certainly times which try us!

I know all of you are dealing with very painful situations. Collectively, in these last days of April, we have lost approximately 300 positions in our parishes and another 300 positions in our Catholic schools.

These individuals, whose positions were lost as a result of COVID-19, were integral to the ministry which happens in our parishes and schools. I am grateful for their dedication of their time and talent, and for many, their treasure. We honor their commitment to the Church, and they leave us with heavy hearts.

I have also taken difficult actions here at the Chancery to cut costs and services consistent with the parishes’ and schools’ experience. While the Diocese is in no position to assist parishes financially because of our own lack of reserves, I am in solidarity with our parishes’ and school’s financial difficulties and response to them.

Effective May 1 through the end of 2020, I am eliminating the parish assessment of The Catholic Voice. Many pastors have expressed concern about the Catholic Voice assessment and the strain it placed on parish budgets. The costs of the newspaper are being absorbed in the Chancery budget cuts and other cost-savings measurements.

In addition, I and members of my Chancery leadership team:

• Reduced staff by a total 28. Most of these individuals were laid off while a few were furloughed. All job actions take effect this Friday, May 1.
• Asked all remaining exempt employees to take a 10% pay cut for the remainder of the year. Pay cuts are effective May 1. Members of my leadership voluntarily took cuts beyond my 10% request.
• Implemented a hiring freeze. Until further notice, all hiring regardless of level must have my approval.

It was difficult to let go of so many of our colleagues. However, this action was necessary to reduce our 2020 personnel budget by 35% overall for fiscal year 2020. The total personnel changes represent a 50% reduction in such costs for the remainder of 2020. These reductions have impacted every department in the Chancery.

I am deeply grateful for the loyal service our departing staff members provided, many of whom have given years of dedicated service to the Diocese. They and their families are in my prayers. I also thank each of the exempt Chancery employees for taking pay cuts for the remainder of the year. I appreciate this sacrifice they are offering.

We know reducing our staff will reduce our capacity to serve our parishes. It may result in some services being eliminated altogether. For example, we are eliminating two major gatherings this year, the Eucharistic Congress and the Catechetical Congress. Our youth ministry (including Boy Scouts and sports) and RCIA programming have been suspended until further notice.

All these moves taken together provide some financial relief immediately and position all of us to adjust to circumstances as we monitor developments in the coming months.

I have a weekly conference call with the bishops of California. As our public officials begin to lift the restrictions for public gatherings, I hope to offer some guidance on how to reassure people it is safe for them to return to our churches. In other parts of the country, bishops are suspending the obligation of Sunday Mass attendance; asking people who exhibit symptoms or who know they have been exposed to the coronavirus to stay home; and requiring parishes to follow all public health guidelines for sanitizing, practicing physical distancing and wearing masks and gloves. While we know the faithful long for a return to regular reception of the Holy Eucharist and to fellowship, we also bear a responsibility to address their concerns for their personal safety and the safety of their loved ones.

I am establishing a small group of experienced pastors to advise me on strategies and plans for the gradual reopening of our churches for public Mass.

We know our communion with God and with one another is bigger and stronger than anything, including COVID-19. May all of us hold on to our faith in our merciful God and look forward to the time when we will be able to be with one another again, in person, to worship and praise Him for his goodness.

With the assurance of my blessing and continued prayers for you and your loved ones, I remain 
Yours sincerely in Christ, 
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ
Bishop of Oaklan