BishopAccountability.org
	Cardinal Asks Churchgoers to Give to Annual Catholic Appeal NECN March 6, 2011 http://www.necn.com/03/06/11/Cardinal-asks-churchgoers-to-give-to-ann/landing_newengland.html?blockID=434461&feedID=4206 [with video] (NECN: Eileen Curran) - Parishioners at one Framingham, Massachusetts church had a special guest at mass. Archbishop Sean O'Malley presided over Sunday service. The Cardinal is hitting the road, asking churchgoers to dig deep for this year's annual Catholic appeal. The appeal funds more than 80% of the church's services and ministries, but it took a huge hit back in 2002, when cardinal law was in charge of the Archdiocese, and Boston became the epicenter of the priest sex abuse scandal. Prior to the crisis in 2001, the appeal brought in about $17 million. That number dropped in 2002, as Catholics closed their wallets because of the scandal, donating only $8.8 million. Last year though, the appeal had bounced back to about $15 million. "It was a reason for me to give more because I knew that there were going to be those that pulled back," said parishioner Gerry Kelly. But are more people giving because they've forgiven? Or forgotten? "Maybe not forgotten, but definitely forgiven and maybe switched their souls a little bit more," said Lisa Keaveney. "I don't think it has anything to do with that," said parishioner Paul Gorski. "The Catholic church has always had parishioners who are willing to help people in need wherever they can." Parishioners may have started opening their pocketbooks again, but critics warn the crisis isn't completely over. "I certainly don't think Catholic people in Boston have forgotten," said Terence McKiernan. He is president of the watchdog group, bishopaccountability.org. He says the Archdiocese still needs to be more transparent about priests accused of abuse. "There is work to be done here that Cardinal O'Malley is not doing," he said. As for the Cardinal, he says he's grateful for the generosity of parishioners, and he hopes they have forgiven the crisis. "Well, I hope people forgive," he said. "That's part of what the mission of the church is, but I don't think we'll ever forget our mistakes so we'll always be vigilant and make sure history doesn't repeat itself."
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