Diocese of Pittsburgh Releases Financial Information Related to The Paycheck Protection Program

The Diocese of Pittsburgh applied for and obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $2.5 million used to fund payroll for employees. The federal monies enabled the diocese to avoid, delay, and lessen furloughs and permanent reduction in staffing that supports parishes and schools.
 
Within the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, 124 entities received loans totaling an estimated $13 million – $14 million:

• 110 parishes received loans
• 8 high schools received loans
• 2 regions which encompass 14 elementary schools received loans
• 4 elementary schools received loans

 
As a point of clarity, parishes, schools, and charitable organizations, such as Catholic Charities, within the diocese are separate legal entities from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. As such, they were required to apply for PPP loans individually, and many received diocesan support and guidance in doing so.
 
Also, no PPP proceeds were used to fund the Independent Reconciliation Compensation Program (IRCP) for survivors of clergy sexual abuse or other settlements.
 
The goal of the federal Paycheck Protection Program was to provide emergency funding in the midst of the negative economic impact of COVID-19 to organizations in the form of forgivable loans with a purpose of funding employee salaries. It was established as part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Trump in the spring.
 
“As Catholics, we are committed to being good stewards of the resources God makes available to us,” said Diocese of Pittsburgh Chief Financial Officer David Misch.
 
“We greatly appreciated the opportunity for federal help to keep people employed so that they may continue to serve and support our parishes, schools, and families, especially the most vulnerable.”