Demands of the St. Cloud Diocesan Pension Concerns Group

  January 25, 2026

We the current and retired employees impacted by the underfunding of the St. Cloud Diocesan pension program demand that the Saint Cloud Diocese meet it’s legal and moral obligation to fully fund its pension contractual agreement with current and retired employees.

We Believe…

1) The diocese is not listening to the pain and suffering caused by the diocesan pension shortfall. Our group has heard story after story of the anxiety, worry, and distress the lack of communication about the pension shortfall has caused current and retired employees. A month ago, we asked the bishop directly to schedule listening sessions. Nothing has happened.

2) The diocese is responsible for initially entering into a pension plan with Christian Brother’s that was not insured by the Federal Pension Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).

3) The diocese knew or should have known about the underfunding problem in the Christian Brothers’ pension program since the market crash in 2008.

4) The diocese bears responsibility and liability for ignoring the underfunding problem at Christian Brother’s pension program.

5) Any reduction in pension benefits will severely impact many current and retired employees. Church and school employees took or are taking substandard wages for years with the expectation that they would receive the pension contractually promised them. These substandard wages result in lower social security benefits. These lower social security benefits added to a proposed reduction in pension benefits presents a double financial burden to current and retired employees.

6) The financial burden of the underfunding should fall exclusively upon the diocese, parishes, and schools and not on the shoulders of the retired and current employees participating in the diocesan pension plan. 

7) Those most impacted by this problem (current and retired employees) must have representation in the decision-making process related to the pension. The diocese has ignored our group’s expectations for all of the following:

a. Representation on the Diocesan Pension Committee.

b. Listening Sessions by the bishop with current and retired employees. 

c. A letter from the bishop sent to all parishes and schools explaining the pension problem. 

d. The establishment of a capital campaign to fully fund the pension shortfall.

8) The Diocese of Saint Cloud with the parishes in the diocese has the financial capacity to fully fund the pension shortfall and/or start a capital campaign to do so. The diocese has said because of its recent bankruptcy it does not have the available funds to meet this financial crisis. However, the diocese is not honest about the funds available from parishes in the diocese particularly as parishes close and parish property becomes available to sell. In addition, the diocese claims the corporate separation of the diocese from the parishes prohibits it from other available funds. It claims money from parishes are completely separate from diocesan funds. What the diocese does not reveal is the actual corporate structure of the church. Each parish has a separate corporate board which decides all corporate matters. All parish corporate boards have five members: The bishop, the vicar general, the parish pastor, and two lay trustees make up these corporate boards. In reality, because of the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church (three clergy votes to two lay votes) the bishop can obtain funds from parishes whenever necessary.

9) The best decisions are made through listening, representation, clear communication, and collaboration. Because these have been absent, it is impossible to accept or trust that the diocese can make the best possible decisions for us the current and retired employees from the St. Cloud Diocese.

On behalf of the Diocesan Pension Concerns Group

Jeffrey Kaster and Mary Cheryl Opatz

Co-Organizers