Bishop reproaches priests for rumors about their economic management

The Bishop of Almería (Spain), Mons. Antonio Gómez Cantero, has sent his priests a letter in which he criticizes the “conspiracy rumors” about the economic management of the diocese, which is in a situation of great difficulty.

Dated on the night of June 18, the letter addressed to the priests states that “our beloved Diocese of Almería is going through a complicated economic situation that threatens to mortgage our future. “Debts grip us.” Given this circumstance, he assures that he has “a clear navigation plan that has been verified by top-level professionals.”

Faced with this, the prelate, who emphasizes “your bishop tells you the truth,” affirms that “this is not the time for half-truths, conspiracy rumormongering or biased and malicious interpretations,” to then instruct each priest: “Flee from those who worship.” the fog. There are many who still defend that the earth is flat.”

The Diocese of Almería has a million-dollar debt

The Diocese of Almería recognized a financial debt in 2022 of almost 24 million euros, a figure resulting from a professional audit commissioned by Deloitte although other sources suggest that the total would amount to almost 30 million euros.

This is a difficult debt to face without resorting to the sale of assets, given that the diocese It barely exceeded 8 million euros in revenue in 2022. Furthermore, according to the Transparency Portal of the diocese, 55.34% of expenses correspond to the operation and conservation of buildings and 32.30% to the remuneration of clergy and lay personnel. in total, 87.64%.

Mons. Gómez Cantero assures in the letter that “all the appraisals of our real estate have been studied, the market has been analyzed to achieve the best sales conditions. We are not improvising, far from it.”

“We will have to make some painful decisions”

In this sense, the prelate transferred the priests months ago that the sale of the seminary building is being considered, currently empty after the transfer of the training of seminarians to the Diocese of Cartagena decided in 2021, among other reasons, due to “the economic pressure of our diocese.”

Perhaps that is why in the letter he states: “I want to convey my confidence that, although we will have to make some painful, very painful decisions, the viability plan has been drawn up and will ultimately be satisfactory because the main objective will be met. “We will save the Diocese and we will be able to continue with our evangelizing mission.”

Bishop Gómez Cantero misses “loyalty and humility”

In the last part of the letter, Mons. Gómez Cantero expresses his regret for some comments and writings critical of his management:

“It has seemed especially unprecedented to me, and I have felt sorry for those who have written them, to read offensive letters distributed among our entire community and biased opinions that are not at all ignorant and malicious, sowing doubt about the honorability of those we see – without choosing it, for pure obedience – in the position of correcting mistakes of unprecedented persistence.

“I have so missed the loyalty and humility of Jesus in some of those who must be his main witnesses! Instead, they have dedicated themselves to sowing tares during the night,” denounces the prelate.

To conclude, the Bishop of Almería assures that he remains “firm and calm among all of you, and I also feel very accompanied and also loved. Never doubt that we are more well-intentioned rowers, who insist on creating leaks in the keel.

Mons. Gómez Cantero was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Almería in January 2021 and that same year, in the month of November, he assumed office as Residential Bishop of Almería with full powers, after the resignation due to age of Mons. Adolfo González Montes.

He was previously named Bishop of Teruel and Albarracín in November 2016, being consecrated prelate and taking possession of this see in January 2017. His training period and first years as a priest were spent in the Diocese of Palencia.