Detroit archdiocese losing $42k a day, lays off 1/3 of staff

Long-overdue budget cuts for the Catholic Church in motor city:

The Archdiocese of Detroit announced major cuts today, slashing its central staff by 29% because of a $14.5-million operating deficit, a spokesman said.

It will reduce its central staff from 264 to 187, one of the biggest reductions in years, said Joe Kohn, an official with the archdiocese. And it plans to sell the Gabriel Richard building on Michigan Avenue in downtown Detroit, one of its main offices.

The archdiocese oversees 1.4 million Catholics in metro Detroit, the largest religious denomination in the region. But the slumping economy has taken its toll on the church's financial and property investments. And tithing is down between 5% and 10%, compared to previous years.

In a meeting today at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in downtown Detroit, Archbishop Allen Vigneron announced the changes. (Detroit Free Press)

Also on the chopping block: the Michigan Catholic, which will no longer receive a subsidy from the archdiocese.

Please pray for the Catholic Church in Detroit. I have many ties there.