5 Tips for Diocesan Leaders in Times of Crisis

1. Create a Diocesan COVID-19 Response Team

• Form a team with senior leaders (which could include Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, CFO, Communications Director, Human Resources Director, etc.) 
• Develop a mechanism to identify critical needs and prioritize responses 
• Create a swift, coordinated decision-making process for implementation 

2. Support Priests and Other Pastoral Leaders 

• Contact each pastor to provide pastoral care and inquire about financial, personnel, and community needs 
• Prioritize the safety of Catholics by ensuring parishes are in compliance with diocesan and local government pandemic guidelines 

3. Address Financial Management and Stewardship

• Assess diocesan and parish financial realities and projections 
• Equip the diocese and parishes for online giving 
• Connect regularly with your major donors and communicate your needs 
• Proactively contact suppliers and negotiate deferred payments that reflect your cash flow e. Identify government support options for your diocesan entities 

4. Focus on Strategic Communications

• Pull together your crisis communications team and implement your crisis communications plan 
• Identify key audiences and the most effective mediums for communication
• Convey a consistent message across different audiences and platforms

5. Maximize Opportunities for Ministry 

• Ensure parishes have the capacity for streaming Masses and other services 
• Create an array of print or online resources for people to join in prayer 
• Promote care for the most vulnerable through established ministries such as Catholic Charities 

Visit leadershiproundtable.org/covid for further resources or contact our program manager, Peter Denio, for customized support and solutions 201.739.2674 or peter@leadershiproundtable.org.