After much prayerful discernment and following many months of consultations, Bishop Kevin W. Vann has accepted the recommendations of the Operations Task Force and moved to consolidate a number of the Christ Cathedral functions into the capable offices of the Pastoral Center.
Administrative and property management, finance and accounting functions, and the operations of Cathedral Memorial Gardens Cemetery will be handled by the Pastoral Center, which currently handles the parallel administrative and management needs of the Diocese.
With these changes, Christ Catholic Cathedral Corporation (the entity previously charged with management of the campus) will be focused strictly on campus construction rather than the day-to-day operations of the site, with newly appointed board members focused on ensuring success.
“These administrative changes will ensure the Diocese is able to adeptly address the many complexities of managing the Christ Cathedral campus operations, while shepherding a large and complex construction project,” Bishop Vann said.
“We are blessed as a Diocese for the faithful leadership of the former members of the Christ Catholic Cathedral board,” added Bishop Vann. “They have led this project with fidelity to the Church and its mission over the past four years. Mr. Timothy Busch has served with particular distinction – helping to acquire the campus, focusing our vision, and leading much of the fundraising efforts for this project.”
The new organizational structure was recommended by the Operations Task Force formed by the Most Rev. Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, in July of 2015. Its members suggested ways to increase revenues and/or reduce the combined operations costs of the four ministries operating on the Cathedral campus: The Pastoral Center, Christ Catholic Cathedral Corporation, Christ Cathedral Parish and the Orange Catholic Foundation.
In reflecting on the changes, Bishop Vann recalled the evangelical roots of the Diocese of Orange – the arduous efforts of the Great Evangelizer Saint Junipero Serra. “Our Diocese has begun to serve as a great evangelical beacon and is calling our friends and neighbors to the Light of Christ,” he noted. “As we celebrate our successes and prayerfully meet challenges, let us continually recall the indelible words of Saint Serra as we seek to realize our version of our home here at Christ Cathedral. Siempre Adelante! (Keep moving forward!)”