Voice of the Faithful Releases 2025 Financial Transparency Review for Dioceses

Voice of the Faithful 2025 Financial Transparency Report

On May 7, 2026, Voice of the Faithful (VOTF), a dedicated Catholic Lay Apostolate, announced the findings of its 2025 diocesan financial transparency review. This report, which was shared with bishops and chief financial officers from each of the 176 geographical dioceses under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), reflects a concerning trend in financial transparency across the Church.

The overall transparency score for 2025 decreased to 66%, marking a 6-point drop from 71% in the previous year. A total of 112 dioceses, amounting to 64%, published their current audited financial reports. Notably, this figure represents a decrease from the peak of 116 dioceses in 2023, emphasizing a significant regression in timely financial reporting among dioceses.

This decline has been attributed primarily to delays in posting relevant financial information. However, VOTF expresses hope that dioceses will enhance their financial reporting processes moving forward. Despite the slipping scores, many dioceses continue to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability. Interestingly, five dioceses achieved a perfect transparency score of 100%, while only six managed a score beneath 20%.

Among the dioceses with perfect scores were: the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, along with the Dioceses of Lexington, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Rochester, New York; and Youngstown, Ohio. In stark contrast, the Archdiocese of New York earned the lowest transparency score within the USCCB, an alarming 12%.

Compounding the issue, four additional dioceses in New York are embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings related to significant claims against the Church regarding clerical sexual abuse. The Archdiocese of New York sidestepped the financial disclosures typically necessitated by bankruptcy by selling valuable land holdings in New York City, subsequently raising $300 million to settle abuse claims. In previous years, New York had maintained scores of 37% from 2021 through 2023, but it plummeted to 12% in 2024 as financial difficulties further escalated.

VOTF maintains that sharing comprehensive financial information is crucial to rebuilding trust and support from parishioners. They express optimism that under new diocesan leadership, the Archdiocese of New York can recover from its low transparency standing and become a model of financial accountability for other dioceses.

VOTF extends congratulations to the dioceses that excelled in transparency in 2025 and applauds those that made significant strides in improving their scores this year. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for enhanced transparency within the Church. They believe that fostering transparency is vital in promoting lay stewardship, encouraging generosity, and restoring trust in the Catholic Church's leadership throughout the nation.

For those interested in more information, VOTF invites inquiries and engagement from the community to further support transparency initiatives and address ongoing issues related to clergy sexual abuse.

For additional details, please visit www.votf.org.