The bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan, has called on people to think of others in need during the recession. Speaking at a meeting in Wexford at which the annual accounts for the diocese of Ferns were released, the bishop said he was conscious that Ireland was in a very serious economic situation.
“This has actually arrived in terms of job losses, reduced hours, pay cuts, evaporating pensions, withdrawn public services, and ever increasing domestic and commercial challenges,” he pointed out.
As a result, many people were now hurting in the community and many others were frightened.
Dr Brennan said: “Elephants in the room create their own problems when unaddressed” and people should prioritise “their needs, not their wants” and put the most vulnerable in society first.
“We are now clearly living in an age where “wants” are unaffordable, but where needs can be addressed.
In terms of public spending, education and health were the most important areas which should be prioritised, he declared.
Turning to Church finances, Bishop Brennan said his own diocese was “blessed with a model of financial administration that is second to none.”
He said 80 per cent of money contributed to the Church remained within the parish in which it was donated, and was managed locally.
“What comes to the diocese is well-managed and helps us to achieve the break-even situation we achieve almost annually.”
The bishop disclosed that some €8.12m has been disbursed by the diocese to victims of clerical sex abuse.
“The funding of claims associated with child abuse continues to impact on the diocese financially,” Bishop Brennan warned.
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(Source: CIN)