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To: All pastors, parish administrators, principlas and business managers
From: The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
When Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory relocated the chancery from midtown Atlanta to Smyrna, he extensively consulted the Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan Finance Council. The consensus then was that the proceeds from the eventual sale of the midtown Atlanta site would exceed the amount needed to pay for the new chancery, resulting in a surplus. Decisions on how to utilize that surplus were to be deferred until the site was sold.
The Midtown Atlanta site was sold in late 2019 while the See was vacant. Bishop Joel M. Konzen, S.M., Diocesan Administrator, accepted a recommendation to delay the decision on disposition of the remaining funds until a new archbishop was installed.
At my first meetings with both the Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan Finance Council, we discussed how best to utilize the surplus. Both consultative bodies recommended that it be used to reduce the school bond debt. I accepted that recommendation.
This decision allows for a restructuring of the school assessment and an opportunity to address an unintended consequence of our current annual appeal overage process. Both consultative bodies recommended and I accepted the following:
- As of July 1, eliminate the school assessment.
- Effective July 1, institute a Financial Aid Assessment of 3 percent of income above $300,000 per year. In effect, the school assessment drops from 11 percent to 3 percent.
- Any remaining bond debt will be refinanced by the respective schools, allowing them to increase tuition appropriately while offering substantial discounts for active Catholic parishioners.
- The Parish Verification Form will be updated. Father Henry Atem will lead this effort.
- Starting with the 2021 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, overage up to 25 percent of goal is spendable by the parish. Overage in excess of 25 percent remain with the parish to be contributed to its endowment or be used to pay past-due debt.
Shortly, you will receive a letter reflecting the reduction in the overall assessment.
Questions should be directed to Brad Wilson at bwilson@archatl.com or (404) 920-7404.