Published Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002
NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Erie diocese adopts tight budgetThe Catholic Diocese of Erie has balanced its proposed 2002 budget, but the diocese will be unable to fill several job openings or unveil new programs in the coming year to do so, according to an Erie Times-News report.
Factors contributing to the crunch include stagnant collections since Sept. 11, skyrocketing health insurance costs and plummeting stock market shares.
Bishop Donald Trautman told the newspaper the diocese's 109 administrative employees are not in danger of being laid off, but eight or nine open positions would not be filled in the coming year.