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	Church Finances Improve with Property Sales and Higher Donations Associated Press, carried in Boston Herald April 25, 2007 http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=196702 Boston - The financial condition of the Boston Archdiocese is steadily improving, thanks to a boost in donations and the sale of church property, but big challenges remain before the church can reach its goal of a balanced budget by 2008, according to the archdiocese's annual report. The archdiocese said in the report released Wednesday that it reduced the budget deficit for its central administration to $6.3 million for the fiscal year that ended last June 30, compared to a $8.3 million deficit the previous year. Archdiocese officials said they were encouraged by the progress, but warned of several looming problems before the church can balance its budget. They include an underfunding of the clergy pension fund, the costs of deferred maintenance on church buildings and the financial struggles of individual parishes. "We're moving forward in a positive way," said Chancellor James McDonough. "There's a great deal of optimism here, but there are major challenges ahead." Donations to the archdiocese's annual Catholic Appeal increased by 15 percent in the last fiscal year, but still remain below the level they were before the clergy sex abuse scandal erupted in 2002, according to the report. Donations increased to $13.8 million for the year, compared with $11.6 million the previous year. Annual appeal donations totaled $15.5 million in 2001, the year before the clergy sex abuse crisis began.
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