Polish parish at odds with archbishop weighs trust options

ST. LOUIS -- Members of an independent Polish parish, at odds with the Archdiocese of St. Louis over control of its assets, on Sunday considered a possible compromise that could appease both sides.

Many of the hundreds gathered in the hall of St. Stanislaus Kostka remained fearful about the future of their historic Polish parish. But parish board spokesman Roger Krasnicki reminded them, "We will have to give up something in order to reach a solution with the archdiocese."

The parish's lay board of directors met with parishioners to tell them about recent developments in negotiations with the archdiocese.

Archbishop Raymond Burke has said the parish must yield control of its property and assets to the archdiocese rather than run finances independently through a lay board.

Until recently, the parish's lay board structure had had the hierarchy's blessing since 1891.

That year, a deed conveyed church property from the archdiocese to a private parish corporation with lay board members.

The archdiocese now says the structure is contrary to church law and has sought to force the parish to conform to a more traditional structure.

Some parishioners see the move as a ploy to take control of the parish's $9 million in assets and property northwest of downtown St. Louis.

At a meeting between archdiocesan officials and church board members last week, the two sides discussed the possibility of putting church assets into an irrevocable trust, which could meet the requirements of the lay board and the archbishop. On Sunday, board members repeatedly assured the parishioners that they were not handing over parish assets. No agreement has been reached on such matters as who would administer the trust and how the money could be spent, board members said.

"We hope this will work out, but only time will tell," board member Robert Zabielski said.

Krasnicki, who is also a trust attorney, said an irrevocable trust is like a safe with two slots, one allowing assets in and the other allowing withdrawals. The two sides would have to decide how assets move in or out. This idea had been proposed by the board previously, he added, but Burke only recently agreed to consider it.

Jim Orso, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said Burke was responding to the concerns he has heard voiced by many parishioners in the church.

The archdiocese "wants to come to a solution as soon as possible," Orso said.

Paul Kaminski, 35, of St. Charles, says he thinks the latest talks are a positive development, but he feels "very guarded about it." Several of those attending the meeting expressed deep concern about losing control of a church built and sustained by their ancestors.

Krasnicki said the board would try to meet with archdiocesan officials again this week. Zabielski said the board hoped to bring a proposal to the parishioners by Jan. 9 for a vote by the members.