Priest’s Resignation a Blow to Archdiocese in Crisis, by Conall O Fatharta, Irish Examiner, September 16, 2011

Priest’s Resignation a Blow to Archdiocese in Crisis

By Conall O Fatharta
Irish Examiner
September 16, 2011

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfgbqlgbqloj/rss2/

A SENIOR priest who recently warned that the Dublin diocese could face bankruptcy unless it tackled its financial crisis has resigned as chairman of the Priests’ Council.

Fr Aquinas Duffy told the Irish Catholic newspaper he had resigned and that the morale of the clergy was now "at an all-time low". The council is a senior advisory body.

Fr Duffy said that, while his resignation just three months into the three-year job was because of "time constraints", there was a large degree of frustration at the failure in Dublin to move away from a hierarchical structure. The priest also added that the lack of planning in Dublin was causing "disillusionment" among clergy.

Gary O’Sullivan, editor of the Irish Catholic, said the resignation was a blow to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. "This resignation is a blow to Archbishop Martin who is struggling with a diocese that is on the verge of financial collapse and a clergy that is increasingly split, with many hostile to his leadership of the diocese."

The resignation comes just weeks after a document discussing ways to overcome the funding shortfalls was leaked to the Irish Catholic.

It has been reported in recent weeks that Dublin parishes and the archdiocese are close to financial collapse mainly due to falling collections as Mass attendance declines.

Financial commitments to settle abuse cases have also impacted on Church coffers and reserves built up have been spent on seeking to compensate victims of child sexual abuse.

In the Dublin archdiocese alone, 172 civil actions from people alleging abuse have been taken against 44 priests. Of those, 117 have been concluded and 55 are ongoing. The cost to the archdiocese for settlement of claims stands at ˆ13.5 million — ˆ9.3m in settlements and ˆ4.2m in legal costs for both sides.

However, a spokesperson for the diocese told the Irish Examiner last month that it was not fair to blame the financial woes of the parishes and diocese on payments made for abuse. "These are just another financial commitment which the diocese has to deal with and which it will do. The Church is funded by contributions from lay people and falling contributions are the main reason for the problem."