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	Diocese's Year Ends Slightly up By Bronislaus B. Kush Telegram & Gazette December 23, 2010 http://www.telegram.com/article/20101223/NEWS/12230806/1003/RSS01&source=rss WORCESTER — The Diocese of Worcester has successfully navigated another turbulent economic year, but chancery officials are expressing concern about the escalating costs of caring for diocesan clergy who have retired or are in poor health. A financial report released recently by the chancery shows that most of the departments and agencies under the auspices of the local Roman Catholic Church broke even and that the diocese finished fiscal 2009-10 with an operating gain of $161,293. However, officials said the priests' retirement care account continues to pose "challenges" for diocesan financial planners. For example, retirement programs were under-funded last year by $1,024,009, even with a $500,000 subsidy from the annual Partners in Charity appeal. "The real story is that, despite the bad economic times, the diocese basically operated in the black," said Raymond L. Delisle, vice chancellor for operations and diocesan spokesman. "But there's no question that the retirement fund poses a significant financial problem." The annual report was released this month and has been posted on the diocesan website ( www.worcesterdiocese.org). It's based on an audit by O'Connor, Maloney & Co., P.C. of Worcester and is accompanied by interviews with managers of key departments and agencies, such as school Superintendent Delma L. Josephson, who discuss challenges the diocese faces in its efforts at evangelization. The chancery does not present its overall financial picture in a traditional budgetary format. Instead, each department and agency is broken out separately. Besides the retirement account, the central administration budget fell short by about $90,000, largely because of depreciation costs that ran about $103,700. The diocesan cemetery system was $143,614 in the red, but the shortfall also was wiped out by Partners in Charity. The Catholic Free Press, the diocesan weekly newspaper, posted a loss of $87,797. Diocesan officials said they're particularly concerned about dealing with the retirement account because more and more priests are nearing the retirement age of 75. Not all priests necessarily retire at that age, with some serving in limited capacities as senior priests at parishes, or, with the bishop's consent, continuing their duties as pastors. Mr. Delisle said retired priests receive a retirement check and have the option of living on their own, at a rectory, or at the Southgate housing complex in Shrewsbury, which offers assisted living help. For many years, retired priests resided at the Vianney House on June Street, but diocesan officials closed that facility because it only provided space for 12 and had no personnel to deal with clergymen suffering health issues. "Our priest population is aging rapidly, so there are concerns," Mr. Delisle said. About 20 priests live at Southgate. Bishop Robert J. McManus said the diocese could not flourish without the generosity of its parishioners and benefactors and added that managers, for the most part, were able to balance budgets. Despite significant economic challenges, Bishop Robert J. McManus said, Partners in Charity, which assists the less fortunate through various educational, social service and other programs, managed to raise about $4.5 million, with about 20,000 contributing to the fund. "Stewardship is the responsibility of the entire Catholic community and commits us to joyfully live the Gospel as disciples of Jesus Christ," said the bishop, noting that it's important that the diocese publicly explain what it does with the money it takes in.
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