BOSTON (MA)
Milford Daily News
By Emelie Rutherford
Thursday, April 20, 2006 - Updated: 01:37 AM EST
Catholics fighting the Boston archdiocese’s plans to shutter their parishes largely applauded church officials for opening the organization’s books yesterday, though some parishioners said the financial data does not answer all of their nagging questions.
Responding to calls to divulge the archdiocesan finances in the wake of the priest sex abuse scandal and parish closings, Cardinal Sean O’Malley released an audit and other financial data about the last two fiscal years that paint a bleak financial picture.
As of last June 30, the archdiocese was grappling with a $46.3 million deficit, a $135 million shortfall in the clergy pension fund and declining donations.
"When we look at the decrease in revenue over previous years, we see clearly that our programs and ministries are at risk," O’Malley wrote in a letter to parishioners. He said the revenue numbers reflect "the anger over the sexual abuse crisis and the closing of parishes."