(09/12/06) ROCKVILLE CENTRE - Thousands of Catholics demand a voice in the finances of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, according to a petition presented to the Diocese on Tuesday.

The Voice of the Faithful organized the petition signed by more than 7,000 Catholics. The petition asks Bishop William Murphy for an elected member to the diocesan financial council. Petitioners say the diocese operates on $650 million, including $187 million in cash reserves. Diocese officials dispute the number, claiming reserves of approximately $40 million. Voice of the Faithful Dan Bartley says parishioners presently have no say neither in how their donated money is managed, nor which causes the church prioritizes.

Voice of the Faithful activists and church officials do agree that if the Diocese of Rockville Centre were a corporation, it would have one of the largest budgets on Long Island. The diocese says Bishop Murphy will read the petitions.