KARE 11 News Coverage
A Website Advocating for Workers Impacted by St. Cloud Diocese Pension Problem
The Diocesan Pension Concerns Group (DPCG) is made up of employed, formerly employed, and retired Catholic school teachers, parish lay workers, and diocesan staff members impacted by the nearly $35 million dollar deficit in the diocesan pension plan. The Saint Cloud diocesan pension has only 58% of the funds needed to meet its pension promises. This means worker pensions would be cut by 42% on average.
The DPCG is an advocacy group with a singular goal: The Saint Cloud Diocese must meet its legal and moral obligation to fully fund its pension contractual agreement with current, former, and retired employees.
We believe the St. Cloud Diocese has the resources to fully fund the pensions it promised to its workers. Bishop Patrick Neary has repeatedly told DPCG leadership that a capital campaign to raise the needed funds is not feasible. However, when you consider church property, buildings, and the generosity of parishioners, fully funding the promised pensions shouldn’t be an impossible task…indeed it should be priority #1. The diocese can choose to do this!
Over the last several months the DPCG has asked Bishop Neary to: 1) schedule listening sessions; 2) communicate with parishioners about the pension fiasco; 3) give the DPCG representation on the Diocesan Task force; and 4) fund pensions fully through a capital campaign or some other funding mechanism. Bishop Neary has denied or ignored all these requests.
How is the DPCG seeking to pressure Bishop Neary and the St. Cloud Diocese do what is right and just? We are getting media coverage, we are organizing the 1400 workers impacted by this pension fiasco, we are seeking legal counsel from a national law firm, and we are seeking to generate support from parishioners.
HELP US
Use the button on this webpage to send an email asking Bishop Neary to meet its moral and legal obligation to fully fund its pension. Our goal is to present Bishop Neary and the diocese copies of 1,000 emails as soon as possible. Or email your support to fullyfundpension@gmail.com.
Diocesan Pension Concerns Group Leadership Team
Jeff Kaster
Mary Cheryl Opatz
Lynn Grewing
Juliana Elchert
Jim McConnell
Michael Mullin
Karl Terhaar
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Follow the latest updates on pensioners’ efforts to ensure that the St. Cloud Diocese fulfills its commitment to fully fund promised pensions.
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