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	Anger at Hike in Levy on Parish Collections By Derry Journal Ian Cullen September 18, 2009 http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Anger-at-hike-in-levy.5661428.jp A Catholic lobby group has hit out at the Derry Diocese for imposing an "unannounced" hike in the diocesan levy on parish collections. Catholic parishioners in the Derry diocese have learned of an additional 3% levy on parish collections, a hike that was controversially withdrawn in 2005 after protests that the extra money was being used to compensate victims of clerical child sexual abuse through the Stewardship Trust Fund. At the time, the Bishop of Derry, Seamus Hegarty, apologised to parishioners, admitting: "You have a right to know where your money goes". He also pledged to begin a process of consultation with parishioners on methods of support for victims of child sex abuse. In a statement issued yesterday, Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) accused the diocese of behaving "recklessly in raising the diocesan levy without prior warning or explanation". "Far from restoring trust, this manner of proceeding can only seriously further undermine the trust that needs to exist between their bishop and his people." The statement called for "complete transparency and accountability" in relation to diocesan finances. "Otherwise the suspicion must remain that compensation has been paid in consequence of clerical sexual abuse in the diocese, without the consultation that was promised in 2005. At the very least the bishop should be ready to confirm that this has not happened since he made that promise in 2005." VOTF "respectfully" requested Dr Hegarty to make the Derry diocese "a model of transparency and accountability for the rest of Ireland" Not linked A statement issued last night on behalf of the Bishop Hegarty said: "The increase in levy on parish income arises from increasing costs borne by the diocese and is not linked to the Stewardship Trust Fund. The diocese is obliged to pay the costs associated with providing services at diocesan level, many of which are directly availed of by parishes. The increase in levy is not linked to any special fund, diocesan or national, for compensation arising from child sexual abuse allegations. "The size of levy increase is due to a prudent assessment of costs associated with running the diocese."
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