The U.S. regional superior of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ -- a worldwide order of nuns -- has written to the pope's representative in Washington, D.C., asking for outside help to restore, "trust and hope" in the Diocese of Belleville."The climate of secrecy that surrounds committee meetings and actions within the Diocese must end. Outside skilled facilitation or intervention appears absolutely necessary if there is to be a movement toward healing," wrote Sister Jan. E. Renz in a Feb. 23 letter to the papal nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi. Renz is a former principal of Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville.
Bishop Edward Braxton could not be reached for comment today.
Renz stated that currently there is "grave distress among people of the diocese."
The letter, which stated that Braxton's, "crediblity has been called into question," was also signed by five other nuns who have leadership roles with the group.
In Southern Illinois, the group is based in Ruma, where 60 nuns live.
Also, the order has 30 other nuns who live in the Belleville Diocese. About 450 nuns in the United States are members of the order.
Braxton publicly apologized recently for misusing donations from two restricted funds to buy new vestments or ceremonial garments and a conference table and chairs for the Chancery in Belleville.
Braxton has said that the restricted funds, about $17,000, have been replaced from money donated to unrestricted diocesan accounts.
He has also been criticized by clergy for failing to communicate.
Members of the diocesan finance council would not speak publicly about the misuse of funds even after their members sent a letter of complaint to Sambi that was followed by Braxton's apology.
A finance council member, the Rev. Dennis Voss, has said the group is working to end much of the secrecy involving financial matters.
According to the Adorers of the Blood of Christ letter to Sambi, the bishop's explanation of the fund use and apology were not, "...received by many as signs of change."
Copies of the letter were also sent to Braxton and to the Most Rev. Cardinal Francis George in Chicago.
Renz wrote, "There is an unraveling of trust and hope. The possibility for reconciling communication seems nonexistent. There are clear expressions of anger and discouragement on the part of most of the clergy and many of the laity."
Sambi could not be reached for comment today.
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