The bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan, has disclosed that diocesan
finances have been rescued from the brink last year thanks to
contributions of over half a million euro.
Meanwhile priests in the diocese have also helped turn around the
finances by dipping into their own pockets to the tune of €60,000.
Last
year, the diocese balanced its budget, with running costs at €557,817
and income at €547,139.
In a letter read at Masses, Bishop Brennan thanked all those who
contributed for their “continued support and generosity in what are, and
have been, very straitened times.”
The bishop said that, apart from
supporting the diocese to the tune of a half million euro, the people of
Ferns gave a similar amount to the Trócaire, between its Easter
collection and campaigns for Haiti and Pakistan.
“Your generosity to the St Vincent de Paul annual collection, and
indeed to the many other voluntary and charitable groups who seek your
assistance, is exemplary,” he added.
“I readily appreciate the economic uncertainty and difficulties being
faced by many at present. Your continued support of your local parish
and diocese signifies a resolve and a commitment that deserves
particular mention.”
The bishop’s request for a €1,000 donation to the diocese from each
priest gave rise to controversy when he made it, as it was sought to
help pay a mortgage on the Bishop’s House, in the wake of €8.4 million
in payouts to victims of clerical sexual abuse in the diocese.
The
mortgage costs €120,000 a year over twenty years and half of that comes
from rental income associated with the former diocesan seminary, St
Peter’s College.
Diocese spokesperson Fr. John Carroll confirmed that seventy Ferns
priests had contributed to The Friends of the Diocese of Ferns fund,
which was set up last year to raise funds to pay the mortgage.
Priests
received letters and asked to make a standing order contribution of
€1,000 to repay the mortgage.
While it was hoped to raise €92,000 from
the 92 priests in active ministry, the figure of €1,000 per head was “in
the air,” said Fr Carroll.
He said some priests paid €1,000 in one lump sum, while others set up
standing orders but “some fellows are in difficult circumstances, and
it was really left to the priests themselves.” It’s a work in
progress.”
Meanwhile, the Ferns Finance Officer, Mr Eugene Doyle said the
diocese now owes €1.6m but is “up to date with the bank repayments.”
The diocese has now completed fifty-two settlements with victims of
sex abuse at a cost of €8,400,000, it was revealed, while costs of
counselling initiatives to safeguard children amounted to €865,000.