Catholic Church in Samoa 'insolvent'

The Catholic Church in Samoa has been audited and found to be $23.4 million in debt, reports ABC Radio Australia.

The Samoa Observer reports that the debt has left staff unpaid, creditors in the red and an unclear financial path forward for the Church. 

The figure is from a copy of the Auditor’s Report dated 18 June 2013, which was prepared by public accountant, Tupuola Oloiali’i Koki Tuala.

The report indicates that after a 'Review of Current Financial Position of the Archdiocese Samoa-Apia as at 18th June 2013,' Tupuola says the current financial position of the Archdiocese is 'insolvent.'

'The going concern of the Archdiocese is greatly affected, because it can no longer meet its total debts of $23.4 million as at June 18, 2013 under the normal course of carrying out business with its creditors and financial institutions,' the report says.

Radio Australia reports that Sophie Budvietas, Chief Reporter from the Samoa Observer, says it's unclear how the Church got into so much debt.