The Franciscan Living Community, like other Catholic-sponsored institutions, requires approval from the church’s highest authority for projects that exceed $5 million. That approval is an effort to ensure good money management, according to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
“With so many millions of dollars at stake, they want to make sure we are appropriately representing the Catholic name,” said Parrett, noting that the best-case scenario would have the St. Leonard expansion starting in July.
The expansion includes the construction of a wellness center, and a building with 60 memory support units and 21 assisted-living suites. It is expected to create 60 full-time jobs.
Dan Andriacco, communications director of the archdiocese, said the Vatican’s approval is one of the many financial controls that most people don’t know about within the Catholic Church.
“Even at the parish level, a pastor in this archdiocese cannot expend between $5,000 and $25,000 without consulting the parish council,” he said. “For amounts over $25,000, he needs approval of the parish council and of the archdiocese.”
As far as the Vatican’s involvement, Andriacco noted a financial threshold that requires the church’s highest approval.
“In 2003, the Cincinnati Archdiocese set up a $3 million fund to help child abuse victims, and that was just under the amount needed to be approved by the Vatican for a diocese our size,” he said. “Now the figure is $5 million.”
Andriacco said the process is in the best interest of the church and its parishioners.
“Church law respects the fact that we have to be good stewards of people’s money.”
Doris Jones, director of marketing and business development for St. Leonard, noted the facility is not owned by the Catholic Church, but operates under the Catholic Health Care directives.
“And we go by their regulations,” she said.
Jones added that St. Leonard, located at Clyo and Centerville-Station roads, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania.
“The project is supported by residents, staff and the community through our foundation campaign,” said Tim Dressman, executive director at St. Leonard. “And the rest will be funded by tax-exempt bonds.”
There are 730 residents at St. Leonard, with nearly 230 separate structures, according to Parrett.
In the meantime, the crews at St. Leonard are starting some of the groundwork so they will be ready to begin construction when they get the final approval.
“We’re hovering,” Jones said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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