Well, the timing is ... um... unfortunate in how it may affect donations for the seminary.  Is there some lay council that assists the archdiocese with financial planning and oversight?  Given the seminary appeal, Arcb. Chaput could allay some fears if he explained what oversight there is on seminary spending.

I am much of the opinion that the way to restore lay trust in the hierarchy is to provide for lay involvement in decision making and some lay oversight and say-so in finances.  Part of that is about trust.  But it is also about giving lay people a greater role - increased responsibility can lead to greater buy-in, greater involvement.  

I have been reading there are grand jury investigations and reports are due soon.  Will we ever reach a point where a grand jury says there is nothing to report, no problems, all disclosures have already been made?