The economic climate and the fact that investments by the Diocese of Killaloe suffered badly, resulting in a €22,403 net deficit for the year 2008, prompted a call from Bishop Willie Walsh for greater financial support from parishioners, in a statement on the publication of the annual accounts for the diocese. According to the accounts, 2008 also saw the diocese pay out a sum of €323,507 for 'healing and reconciliation' for the victims of sexual abuse, with this payment funded from part of the proceeds raised by the sale of land at the Bishop's house in 2001.
Gross income for the diocese in 2008 was €1,116,923 with a total expenditure of €1,139,326. This compared to a gross income in 2007 of €1,043,744, although in that year, there was an expenditure of only €878,227, which resulted in a net surplus of €165,517.
Publishing the Diocesan Account for 2008 last week, Bishop Walsh acknowledged the fact that many parishioners were facing financial burdens of their own and he thanked them for their generosity throughout the year.
Referring to the present economic climate and the impact of the downturn in investment income for the near future, Bishop Walsh indicated that the operation of the diocese in the coming years would have to depend more heavily on contributions from local parishioners to meet its obligations.
He said, “The real challenge for all of us in the current economic climate is to continue to foster and bring Christian hope to the many people in our own communities and throughout the developing world. Through your continuing support of our parishes and charitable organisations in the coming year you will be assisting in a very practical way the call of the diocese to be Cineáltas Chríost (the kindliness of Christ).”
“Besides the on-going generosity of parishioners throughout the diocese in support of their local Church, the year 2008 also saw their continued generosity in responding to appeals to assist people in other parts of the world through missionary activity and the support of the work of Trócaire. In addition to the diocesan income listed above, over €410,499 was donated for the needs of the missions and the developing world during 2008,” he continued.
In relation to the deficit recorded for 2008, Bishop Walsh explained that “exactly half of the income that year came from the parishes of the diocese in the form of contributions in the region of 12.5% from their normal yearly income.
In addition to these figures, parishioners contributed €317,218 to the work of Trócaire and €93,281 to the Mission collection. The expenditure reflects the Diocesan efforts to meet the needs of the diocese itself, the needs of the Church at national level and the needs of the universal Church. Expenditure at local diocesan level responds to a variety of diocesan needs, which include salaries, education, pastoral planning and child protection. We contribute to the needs of the universal Church directly through contribution to the Holy See.”
“Our charitable contributions of €111,375 in 2008 enabled us to contribute to the work of the Irish Church through a variety of Commissions/Agencies such as ACCORD, CURA, Communications, Education, Pastoral Care, Justice and Peace, Marriage Tribunals etc,” said Bishop Walsh.
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