I appreciate your thoughts, and your thoughtfulness to forward the statements.
So, does a Bishop bear much, or any, responsibility or duty for the assignments of priests in his diocese (for perceived good or ill) or does a Bishop bear any or no accountability for the monies from some priest’s ministry, if and when the monies have attracted the IRS, and tax deductions are suspended. I get all of the feelings and the relational struggle between the men. I am trying to understand a little better on the practices as they relate to the Bishop’s role when fiscal issues surface. Do you know what I am trying to say? I can not find where anyone says that a priest and his ministry is outside the pervue of his assigned Bishop, or that a Bishop has no responsibility to question accounting practices.
Clearly the public will be seen backing the personality they know best with respect and for all his visible good works. But, my question pertains to back-in-the-accounting-office asking about the oversight role of a Bishop? Is there one?
No money has "attracted" the attention of the IRS. The IRS has nothing whatsoever to do with the Bp. Zurek / Fr. Pavone story.
... does a Bishop bear any or no accountability for the monies from some priest’s ministry ....
Bp. Zurek bears no responsibility for the financing of Priests for Life. The national organization is incorporated in Staten Island, New York, in Abp. Dolan's jurisdiction. Fr. Pavone has always submitted quarterly financial statements from PFL to Bp. Zurek as a courtesy to show the good stewardship of the PFL, and also to affirm that he is not profitting personally from the PFL (he receives no salary, but PFL does pay for his travel, room & board, and incidental expenses). Financial statements are primarily submitted to Abp. Dolan, since the ministry itself is headquartered in his archdiocese.
See:
http://www.priestsforlife.org/articles/3761-official-statement-father-frank-pavone
and
http://ncrnews.org/documents/pavone_letter.pdf