Editor's Desk: Now Is the Time

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 5/9/02)

Is now the best time to begin a $75 million Capital Campaign? Is there ever a good time to conduct such an ambitious effort? The consensus reached by diocesan leaders last week when asked these questions was unanimous: now is the time.

As outlined in the roundtable discussion beginning on page one in this week’s edition, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde believes the timing is right to conduct the campaign.

"I say that because the needs we have are real and they are not going to go away," the bishop said. "They’ll be as real next year or the year after. In the face of the real needs that we have, this is the right moment.

"We have to go forward in trust and hope," he added. "I think our people acknowledge the needs and see the needs transcend any blemishes right now that we’re dealing with in terms of Church life."

Father Charles McCoart, director of Catholic Charities, has a different perspective after working at the Chancery in various capacities for the past 10 years. "Folks (in the parish) have a heart for what they can see," he said. "This campaign is asking people to have a heart for a more global vision."

Father Bob Cilinski, pastor of All Saints Parish in Manassas and chairman of the Priests’ Advisory Committee, believes the campaign’s success hinges on the variety of projects proposed by the campaign’s case statement.

The choice of building two new diocesan Catholic high schools may not appeal to those whose families are already grown, he said, but a spirituality center, priests’ retirement home or emergency shelter for families offer other options.

"At the parish level, there is something there for everyone to support in this campaign," Father Cilinski said.

Dr. Timothy McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools, is convinced that the experience of conducting the Capital Campaign at this time "will be a great affirmation for the Church and the diocese."

McNiff admits that the thought of asking diocesan Catholics "to open their pocketbooks" was overwhelming following the tragic events of Sept. 11, considering the downturn in the stock market and the revelations of sexual misconduct by Catholic priests. Ever the optimist, McNiff believes the diocese "will hit a homerun" with its fundraising effort.

"While they may not say it, other non-profits and corporations will scratch their heads and say, ‘How did (the diocese) do it?’ Under any one of those three conditions the diocese should have turned and run," he said. "This is an exercise in affirmation."

Early reports bear this out. Initial pledges already have reached $25 million, a third of the way toward the minimum campaign goal of $75 million. The six pilot parishes (Precious Blood, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. John in McLean, St. Veronica, St. John the Baptist in Front Royal and St. Raymond of Penafort) have already exceeded their combined goals, with eight weeks still left in their campaigns.

The bishop is optimistic that the campaign can reach $146 million.

"What’s been revealed today is the marvelous depth of faith and generosity on the part of the people in our diocese," Bishop Loverde said. "I am humbled to be asked to lead such a faithful diocese. In some ways our theme for this Capital Campaign really sums it up because we are rooted in faith and we will go forward in hope." – M.F.F.

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