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	Upswing in Contributions since Crisis Buoys Diocese By Michael Paulson Boston Globe March 2, 2007 http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/02/upswing_in_contributions_since_crisis_buoys_diocese/ The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston raised $13.8 million in its most recent annual fund drive, up 57 percent from its low point in the midst of the clergy sexual abuse crisis, but still down significantly from its fund-raising levels before the crisis. The archdiocese said yesterday that the improvement in the annual Catholic Appeal -- once called the Cardinal's Appeal but strategically renamed after the resignation of Cardinal Bernard F. Law -- signals a slow but steady rebuilding of public confidence in the scandal-wracked archdiocese. There were 50,000 contributors to the campaign this past year; that number was down from nearly 90,000 in 2000 but up from 38,000 in 2002. "Clearly, if you look over the last four campaigns, there is a strong demonstration of forward movement and a recognition by Catholics of the progress that's taking place across the archdiocese," said Damien DeVasto, director of the Catholic Appeal. "There's more to be done -- there's no question -- but this is a real reflection that there is a greater sense of community and progress." The dramatic drop in the archdiocese's annual campaign, from $17.2 million in 2000 to $8.8 million in 2002, was one of the most visible measures of a decline in public confidence in the church leadership following the crisis. The archdiocese also saw fewer worshipers at Mass and fewer men seeking to enter the priesthood and experienced a diminution of its clout on Beacon Hill. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, who was installed as archbishop of Boston in summer 2003, has made rebuilding trust a priority of his administration, but the postcrisis period has continued to be difficult, with controversies over O'Malley's management of 62 parish closings, his efforts to overturn legalized same-sex marriage, and his handling of the head of a Catholic hospital chain who was accused of sexual harassment. But O'Malley has also made substantial progress on the financial front. He managed to settle hundreds of abuse claims without filing for bankruptcy, an option that has since been chosen by five US dioceses. He closed multiple parishes and schools, sold much of the archdiocese's headquarters land in Brighton, laid off chancery workers, and is preparing to turn over sponsorship of the Catholic hospital system, Caritas Christi, to St. Louis-based Ascension Health. And he has replaced the top finance officials at the chancery, including the chancellor and the chief development officer, as well as the vicar general, who serves as a de facto chief administrative officer for the archdiocese. "I definitely think it's a good sign that the archdiocese is getting back on its feet, and that Cardinal Sean is coming into a new level of trust and respect and that he's doing a good job rebuilding the archdiocese," said Thomas Groome, director of the Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College. "It's one of the ways the Catholic laity have of voting, with their pocketbooks, and they're obviously beginning to vote for him." A spokesman for the archdiocese said the fund-raising results were encouraging but that problems remain. "The cardinal is encouraged that we have made progress, but also understands that significant challenges lay ahead and will require the collective energies of our clergy, religious, and lay communities," said Terrence Donilon, secretary for communications for the archdiocese. He said that more information will be coming on financial matters. "This April we will issue our annual financial transparency report, and at that time we will update our Catholic faithful and the general public as to the progress made in the past year and the challenges which need to be addressed," Donilon said. The Catholic appeal supports the archdiocese's central administration, including assistance to parishes and the development of programs such as religious education and youth ministry. In an effort to boost public confidence, O'Malley has also pledged to fully disclose the archdiocese's financial situation, and that of its parishes, each year. Last year, he reported the archdiocese faced a $46 million gap between its assets and its obligations; he is scheduled next month to offer a second annual update. He has yet to release parish data, but his spokesman said the archdiocese is still working on compiling that information. Michael Paulson can be reached at mpaulson@globe.com.
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