Rising costs affect WA church finances

Western Australia's rising cost of living is affecting local churches, with some parishes finding expenses are growing at a faster rate than income from collections, reports The West Australian.

Power bills, insurance and maintenance costs are the main expenses, according to Dean of St Mary's Cathedral, Monsignor Michael Keating. 

Perth's Catholic archdiocese recently cleared a $32.9 million debt from the restoration of St Mary's after a six-year fundraising appeal, but Monsignor Keating said continuing costs would require generous donations.

He said maintaining the cathedral cost $250,000 a year, while insurance totalled $86,000. Parishioners continued to give generously despite also being hit by cost of living pressures.

Monsignor Keating said country churches were struggling the most, and were subsided by metropolitan parishes. The potential for more parishes to merge has been discussed among the diocese as a possible solution.

Our Lady of Grace parish priest Richard Smith said the second collection from his North Beach parish fell $10,000 short of expenditure in 2012-13, but other income and gifts enabled the church to meet its needs.

'We are not about to go broke but we are always cautious about our expenditure and will continue this practice. Our parish community is very generous,' he said.

St Paul's Catholic church in Mt Lawley publishes its collections and expenses weekly. 

Last week's bulletin shows $2049 in continuing costs, including gardening, plumbing, phone and water bills, and donations of $1414.45.