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• Questions and Answers in English
• Questions and Answers in Spanish

1. How can I be sure the gift I give to the PSA will be restricted only for the pastoral ministries listed in the brochure and not used for sexual abuse settlements?

Bishop Brown is bound by church and civil law to honor the restrictions placed on gifts by donors. Your gifts will only be used for pastoral services and ministries described in the PSA brochure, not for any other purpose. The gifts given to the 2006 PSA are used to fund the July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 ministry budgets.

2. What will be the financial impact of the settlement between the Diocese of Orange and the victims of sexual abuse?

On Thursday, December 2, 2004 Bishop Tod Brown agreed to a court mediated settlement between the Diocese of Orange and the victims of sexual abuse. Bishop Brown has worked very hard to reach a fair and compassionate resolution for all concerned while allowing the Church to continue its mission to worship, teach and serve. The settlement will not involve any of the assets of the parishes or schools. It will involve a significant portion of the resources and investment reserves from the Administrative Offices of the Bishop and contributions from insurance companies. The Church resources being used for the settlements came to the Diocese of Orange through the generosity of its people. These assets will no longer be available to fund services and programs; however, the healing that will be accomplished is equally necessary. Further details about the impact of the settlement can be found on the Diocesan website, www.rcbo.org.

3. How can I be reassured that our children are safe in our schools and parishes?

In following our Diocesan Covenant with the Faithful and the USCCB National Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop Brown has instituted a Safe Environment Program in our diocese, which overseas the training of clergy, teachers and lay people to follow the guidelines for providing a safe environment for our children and youth, including fi ngerprinting for all employees and volunteers who have regular contact with children and young people. Breaking the Silence, a teen prevention DVD produced under Bishop Brown’s direction, addresses the issue of sexual abuse of minors and will be introduced into our parish high school programs and our high schools safety curriculum beginning in 2006. At the same time, Kids and Company, a safety education Program for K-8 will be implemented in our elementary schools and religious education programs.

4. What benefit does my parish receive from the ministries supported through the PSA?

Parishes could not provide the same level of service without the essential ministries supported through the PSA. Catechists are certified through the Institute for Pastoral Ministry; DRE’s, liturgical ministers and lay leaders who serve our local parishes are trained and supported through opportunities for continuing education and enrichment; our clergy and seminarians receive education and ongoing formation; deacons are instructed and nurtured; vocations to the priesthood and religious life are encouraged; our youth and young adult leaders are prepared and supported; our college age students are encouraged in their faith; we reach out to those in need through Aid to Parishes in Need, Catholic Charities, Detention Ministry, and the Catholic Deaf Community; our Catholic Schools are supported through teacher development and curriculum guidance. All of these services are indispensable and critical to the mission of the local parish and our Church of Orange.

5. What is a diocese and why do we have them?

Parishes in every geographic area of the world are grouped into a local church or diocese with its own bishop who is in union with the Bishop of Rome – the Pope. Every Catholic in Orange County is a parishioner in a parish as well as a member of the “Church of Orange”, with Bishop Tod Brown as our shepherd. While we practice our faith in our 59 parish communities and 5 Catholic centers, we are also members of one diocese, just as we are all part of the universal worldwide Church, the Body of Christ.

6. What is the role of the bishop and the diocese?

Under canon (church) law, the bishop is responsible for shepherding the people of his diocese and insuring that the Catholic community conducts public worship in a dignified and reverent manner. The bishop is the authentic teacher of the faith. He is responsible for promoting and selecting candidates for the priesthood and diaconate, attends to people’s spiritual needs, sustains the priests, deacons, religious and lay leaders entrusted to his care, and obtains the human, physical and financial resources needed to minister to the people of God. The administrative and pastoral offices of the Bishop, primarily located at Marywood Pastoral Center, play an important leadership and supportive role by providing new parish sites, assigning clergy to parishes, and administering Catholic high schools, elementary schools, cemeteries and human resources. The Marywood Center also provides guidance for parish business practices and pastoral services to people directly when it is beyond the scope of any one parish.

7. What is a deanery and what is my parish’s role in it?

In order to provide pastoral care through common action, several neighboring parishes are joined together in smaller groups called deaneries. The priests of each deanery meet on a regular basis to coordinate pastoral activity within the deanery.
Deaneries promote a better connection between parishes and the diocese, share ministerial leadership and resources, give a sense of belonging to something larger than a parish, facilitate common events, and allow parishes to be more sensitive to the cultural diversity throughout the local Church of Orange.