Downsizing the Diocese of New Orleans

The level of damage done to the diocese of New Orleans is extensive. Due to the loss of revenue, it was reported that 9,000 employees of the diocese have lost their jobs although the archbishop is denying that figure. With the loss of facilities, job cuts are impossible to avoid.

100 parishes are gone and 30 are severly damaged according to my source. The diocese is expected to lose between $24 and $27 million dollars in 2005.

Out of 24 high schools:
- 15 are open either in current facilities or in satellite schools to reopen in October of January.

- 3 will be closed for the year.

- 6 have no reopening dates, but are operating in satellite schools in other cities

Out of 84 elementary schools:

- 16 are now open.

- 26 are projected to open in October.

- 43 have no reopening date.

And it's not just New Orleans, the Diocese of Biloxi lost four schools, nine parishes and 27 more that are badly damaged. The problem for Biloxi is that, according to my source, they only have $30 million in insurance coverage, not near enough to replace what they have lost.

The Question

Should federal assistance be made available to the diocese? I heard the President talking about enterprise zones and recovery efforts, these are jobs we're talking about...mostly in education.

Put me down in the "yes" column.

This isn't about seperation of Church and State. This is about disaster recovery.