The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh says it has eliminated a potential $2.4 million deficit through major administrative restructuring and job cuts that required three layoffs among its 180 employees."The decisions were not easy," Bishop David Zubik said. "But they were done with care, precision and professionalism. And with the clear understanding that we are first and foremost church, not a corporation trying to build an attractive bottom line."
The budget and deficit involved only the central administration of the diocese and its schools office. It did not directly involve parishes or Catholic social service agencies.
Diocesan officials attributed it to the same combination of declining local population and a poor economy that has impacted local governments and public schools.
The diocese announced that it cut more than $1 million in non-salary expense.
It then eliminated 25 full-time positions and eight part-time positions, mostly through retirement.
One part-time and two full-time employees were laid off.
Ten new positions were created to assume critical duties of those that had been eliminated.
The changes, which include a major reorganization of administrative structure, will be effective Oct. 1.