PHOENIX — The economic downturn and a decline in collections at Sunday Masses have prompted Phoenix’s Roman Catholic Diocese to lay off 11 employees and convert two other positions into part-time jobs.
Among those let go were the assistant superintendent of Catholic schools and the director of a program for theological study and pastoral-ministry formation.
The diocese, which is expecting a budget shortfall of 6 to 10 percent in fiscal 2009-10, also has scheduled three weeklong unpaid furloughs, frozen salaries, restricted travel and imposed a hiring freeze.
Collections at Sunday Masses are down 3 percent this year. The diocese fears that number will grow to 8 to 10 percent by year’s end. Real-estate values have declined, and investments have lost money.
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