Monday, August 22, 2011

Falling Mass attendance and abuse pay-outs hit parishes

DUBLIN parishes and the archdiocese are close to financial collapse mainly due to falling collections as Mass attendance declines.

Financial commitments to settle abuse cases have also impacted on Church coffers and reserves built up have been spent on seeking to compensate victims of child sexual abuse by priests.

In the Dublin archdiocese alone, 172 civil actions from people alleging abuse have been taken against 44 priests. Of those, 117 have been concluded and 55 are ongoing. The costs to the archdiocese for settlement of claims stands at €13.5 million — €9.3m in settlements and €4.2m in legal costs for both sides.

However, a spokesperson for the diocese said it was not fair to blame the financial woes of the parishes and diocese on payments made for abuse. "These are just another financial commitment which the diocese has to deal with and which it will do. The Church is funded by contributions from lay people and falling contributions are the main reason for the problem."

The revelations came to light after a document discussing ways to overcome the funding shortfalls was leaked to the Irish Catholic newspaper. In the document, the Council of Priests suggested a range of options which the diocese could employ to raise funds.

One key proposal being set for discussion at a meeting next month is a parish levy based on the number of Catholic families in the parish which diocesan officials believe could raise up to €3m per year.

Officials at Archbishop’s House in Drumcondra also hope to secure €20m from parishes with "surplus funds" to plug a deficit in the general fund, according to the Irish Catholic report.

The document also notes that the central administration of the diocese may be slashed, any proposed changes "must include an assessment of all central administration posts" and pay cuts in line with public service pay cuts must be considered at diocesan agencies and for parish workers.

"Collections in the diocese have been decreasing in recent years. In a time of economic downturn, as well as declining participation at Sunday Mass, this is not surprising," the document says.

"On the other hand, even the most committed often do not understand what the various Church collections are for."

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, the diocesan spokes-person said funds raised in collections are used for everything the parish does.

"Like everyone else, we are at the stage where the same level of services may not be sustainable into the future. All of the proposals in the document are simply options up for consideration. No decisions have been made yet."