Trinity Cathedral Faces Financial Crisis, Files Countersuit in Sexual Harassment Claim
Episcopal News Service. August 22, 1996 [96-1544]
(ENS) Trinity Cathedral of the Diocese of New Jersey, already struggling with two sexual harassment lawsuits against its former dean, has eliminated staff positions and made other budgetary cuts in an effort to address a "severe financial crisis," cathedral leaders reported.
The position of curator and clerk of the works has been dropped, and some of the cathedral's current buildings and grounds positions will be eliminated, according to a statement issued in early August by Bishop Joe Doss of New Jersey and the Rev. Charles Cesaretti, cathedral vicar. In addition, two vacant positions, including one full-time clergy position, will not be filled.
David Evans, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits, held the curator's position, and two of the nine other plaintiffs were members of the buildings and grounds staff.
In a related action, the cathedral, diocese and three church officials filed a countersuit against Evans, claiming misappropriation of funds, mismanagement, and failure to act in accordance with the obligations of his employment.
"While some may view all these actions as retaliatory, they are, in reality, hard steps that must be taken in order to ensure the financial viability, current survival and future growth of Trinity Cathedral," the statement asserts.
In a letter to Trinity's 1,400-member congregation, cathedral leaders reported that a major portion of the cathedral's current $250,000 deficit has been in the area of buildings and grounds, attributable in part, they maintained, to "lack of planning, prioritization, supervision and adequate controls."
Evans' attorney, however, has called the moves a "smokescreen." In an interview with The Times newspaper of Trenton, attorney Lawrence Wohl said diocesan and cathedral officials are "focusing on economic issues in an attempt to shift the attention from the sexual harassment."
The Rev. Chester Grey, former dean, resigned in May with a public acknowledgement of his homosexuality, shortly before the two suits were filed against him, the cathedral and the diocese. The plaintiffs have claimed that Grey used his position to demand sexual favors from them.
Contributing to the deficit are a drop in income from the cathedral endowment, depleted to meet operating expenses, and a decrease in the number of pledges, "one-third of which are behind this year," according to the letter to the congregation.
The financial steps will address but not eliminate the deficit, the letter stated. "The primary goal of Trinity Cathedral during this critical time is to focus on the worship, pastoral, and outreach ministries -- their effective operation and support," the letter states while encouraging members to consider making additional contributions or prepaying their annual pledges.
A diocesan spokesman said the cathedral's real estate holdings will be reviewed, though there are no immediate plans to sell any properties.
"Praying, worshiping and working together, we will be able to weather this financial storm," the letter concludes.