Withholding by some congregations and lower than expected pledge income at others have forced many dioceses into a financial bind.

The dioceses of Missouri, Southern Virginia and Western New York are the latest to announce budget cuts and significantly lower revenue forecasts after the first quarter.

At least five parishes in Western New York are withholding most of their pledge payments to the diocese. An additional 22 out of 63 have yet to submit a pledge or have pledged less than the diocese requested, according to the Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, diocesan bishop, who spoke with The Buffalo News.

The $200,000 shortfall out of a $1.1 million budget will lead to immediate layoffs and reductions in part-time staff, he said. Bishop Garrison has sent strongly worded letters to rectors and lay leadership at withholding parishes, warning them that they could be designated “dependent” and the leadership replaced.

Last month the Rt. Rev. David C. Bane, Jr., Bishop of Southern Virginia, said his diocese had “hit bottom” financially and needed to revive its sense of community and stewardship. The comment came after the diocese announced layoffs and budget cuts totaling $400,000 out of a $1.76 million budget. A letter was sent to all clergy and parish treasurers asking that they consider increasing their pledge contribution.

An absence of a sense of community was also cited by the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, Bishop of Missouri, after the diocesan council announced a second round of budget cuts, bringing the total for the year to $175,000 out of a $1.5 million budget. The cuts were particularly deep because council exempted more than $800,000, including salary and benefits of the diocesan staff as well as the diocesan assessment to the program portion of the General Convention budget.