Historic Hull House Looted by Insiders

Growing up I read my Nancy Drew, but I also loved stories of real American women--Abigail Adams, Kateri Tekakwitha, Clara Barton--and Jane Addams. These days in Chicago, it's Big Charity, now bankrupt. Dennis Byrne:

In 2009, the federal Pension BenefitGuaranty Corp.announced its takeover of Hull House's pension plan, whose liabilities for employees and retirees amounted to $11.1 million. Hull House Executive Director Clarence Wood at the time called the group's financial position solid, saying, "We are not about to close our doors."

And why would he want to? According to the last public disclosure I could find (2008), he was paid $283,000. As much as that might surprise many people laboring in the vineyards of public service for much more modest sums, it's not that unusual for nonprofit bosses.

Looking out for No. 1, not the mission. And leaving the taxpayer to pick up the pieces, as the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is wobbling as well, hobbled by politicized underpricing set by Congress.

It's another lesson in the war on religious freedom, intentional or unintentional. The late Chicago Cardinal Bernadin comes to mind.

When you lose independence and personal accountability, you may lose your soul along the way.

More. What Are You Giving Up this Lent? Religious Liberty Cardinal Francis George O.M.I.

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