Audit: Parishes hid funds in bankruptcy

A handful of parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego deliberately concealed or inappropriately handled about $500,000 in funds in sometimes “purposeful attempts” to circumvent federal bankruptcy proceedings, according to an auditor’s report.

The San Diego diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 27, just hours before going to trial in more than 140 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests. The filing automatically halted court proceedings in the lawsuits.

Church finances, specifically the question of how much the diocese is worth, has been hotly contested since the bankruptcy petition, which came after four years of unsuccessful settlement negotiations.

The “openly questionable activities” appear to be limited to a small number of parishes, and most pastors and lay personnel demonstrate a good faith effort to comply with church financial procedures, the report said.

Still, the 175-page report published late Monday found no overall system of accounting throughout the diocese.

“As a result (church officials) are often woefully unaware of the specific financial operations of individual parishes,” the report said.

With nearly 1 million Catholics and holdings throughout San Diego County, the diocese here is by far the largest and, by all accounts, the wealthiest of the five U.S. dioceses to have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the shadow of civil claims over sexual abuse.

ATLANTA

Voters must show ID at Georgia polls

Georgia voters will be required to show a photo ID at the polls for a special election in September, after several years of court and legislative battles, the secretary of state said Tuesday.

Opponents claim the photo ID law will disenfranchise minorities, the poor and the elderly who don’t have driver’s licenses or other valid government-issued photo IDs. Supporters say it is needed to prevent voter fraud.

A lawyer challenging the law in federal court said he will ask a judge to block it yet again. A federal judge had blocked enforcement of the law last September but stayed his ruling pending a decision in the state court appeals.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.

Minister arrested while in skirt

The minister of a Baptist church has been charged with indecent exposure and driving under the influence, and police officers say he propositioned them.

Tommy Tester, 58, of Bristol, Va., was wearing a skirt when he was arrested last week after allegedly urinating in front of children at a car wash, police said.

Police also said Tester offered to perform oral sex on officers who were sent to the scene.

Authorities identified Tester as the minister of Gospel Baptist Church in Bristol and an employee of Christian radio station WZAP-AM in Bristol. There was no immediate response Tuesday to calls to the church and Tester’s home.

WZAP issued a statement Monday asking for prayers and saying Tester had been suspended during an investigation.

Tester was released Friday on $1,000 bail.

From wire reports