Bishop Robert Lynch
Posted on 05/24/2002 5:40:19 AM PDT by Rum Tum Tugger
May 24, 2002
``Hey, if I could get that kind of deal, I'd wear a Speedo for the bishop,'' cogently observed one wag at the end of the bar. Unfortunately for the aforementioned wag, a building contractor himself, given the fact he was, shall we say, at a certain age in life and somewhat physique-challenged, the Speedo gambit quite likely would not have had the desired marketing effect on his business. Much has been made of the revelations Bishop Robert Lynch has funneled more than $30.3 million worth of construction business toward a company owned by his pal David Herman, 40, the past few years, which in and of itself is no big deal until you realize the builder is receiving a 10 percent commission on no-bid diocese projects, considerably higher than the customary 3 percent profit common in the industry. Normally even that sort of largess given to a vendor would be nobody's business, if say private sector Corporation A wanted to pay a 10 percent commission on a construction project undertaken by Builder B.
Devil May Care But this is the Diocese of St. Petersburg, an institution largely dependent on the goodwill and charity of parishioners who are asked every Sunday to give generously to their church. And in light of a diocesan payoff to former Lynch public relations flack Bill Urbanski, who received a $100,000 settlement in the wake of sexual harassment accusations against the bishop, his eminence's devil-may-care attitude toward inflated building costs funded by parishioner donations may give rise to a new beatitude: ``Blessed are Bob's traveling companions, for they may inherit the checkbook.'' A $100,000 payoff to a former church employee is one thing. But millions of dollars in no-bid construction contracts may smack of charity run amok, hardly due financial diligence. Herman, a triathlete like Urbanski, has accompanied Lynch on his numerous trips to San Francisco, Key West, Bermuda, Israel and Rome. According to Urbanski, Lynch often asked Urbanski whether he thought Herman was an Adonis. Croesus seems more like it. Besides, the guy is a triathlete. What do you expect him to look like? Sgt. Bilko?
Double Standards In any event, if you had a sweetheart gig with the diocese that had brought $30 million into your company, if Lynch wanted you to take a trip with him to Buffalo - in January - what would you do? Buy gloves. No one has disputed that Herman's construction company has delivered quality work. Goof grief, for that much money, it better. Rather, the broader issue is Lynch's stewardship of church funds to award a close friend lucrative no-bid construction deals, a policy in direct conflict with individual parish construction projects to solicit several proposals from vendors before work begins. If a parish pastor has to consult with a church council made up of laymen with experience in the business world regarding important financial decisions, why should the bishop, who controls tens of millions of dollars, not be held to the same standard? As we've learned from recent stories regarding everything from sexual abuse in the church to Lynch's own travails, once you get your own staff and miter you're pretty well accountable to no one within the hierarchy of the institution. Even that was probably just fine with most of the faithful until disclosures began to erupt and folks began to learn that when it comes to abusing children, the power structure can't figure what the policy ought to be. And when it comes to money, at least this bishop views the church bank account as an extension of the loaves and the fishes. At the moment Bishop Warbucks is in the midst of a massive campaign to raise $60 million to fund a host of construction projects, pulling in about $21 million so far. With $40 million to go, local Catholics have every right to ask Bishop Trump how much of the money is (or will be) earmarked for Herman's company, and if he expects his flock to help support his dinner and traveling companion without soliciting bids from other firms. A little confession on this question is certainly good for the soul. It would be even better for the bottom line.
David Herman is a very good looking guy who moved with Lynch from the east coast of Florida to St. Petersburg when Lynch became Bishop.
Lynch likes to take Herman on trips to Key West and San Francisco. Need I say more?
Bishop Lynch probably does. :-)
It's good to know that the Bishop of Orlando is a good man. I knew Bishop Grady before I was a Catholic, and he seemed to be a standup guy too.
The first story about Herman had been in Sunday's Tampa Tribune.
The attendees decided to take a vote regarding whether Lynch should resign. A show of hands was reported to be overwhelmingly in favor of his resignation.
I doubt that there will be any more townhall meetings in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
The Bishops hate "spunk"! (stealing from Lou Grant)
Unfortunately, while most Catholics reportedly are disturbed by the state of the Catholic Church, most Catholics haven't yet developed spunk.
That's a concern of mine. I'm moving my girls from an excellent private school to a Catholic school for the next school year. As I see the contributions to the Church declining, I am concerned about the effect that will have on Catholic schools. I know that funding for schools will be the first thing the vindictive Bishops cut. Those trips to San Francisco and Key West cost a lot.
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