Boston Catholic Fund Looks after Growing Number of Senior Priests in Archdiocese

Rome Reports
October 7, 2013

http://www.romereports.com/palio/boston-catholic-fund-looks-after-growing-number-of-senior-priests-in-archdiocese-english-11246.html#.UlKYjVCTguc

[with video]

October 7, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Archdiocese of Boston has been through many challenges in the past few years. From abuse scandals to terrorist attacks on the city, its found ways to keep moving forward.    

As one of the largest dioceses in the United States, it also houses nearly 650 priests. Their experience illustrates what they've been through. 

FR. RICHARD UFTRING 

Boston Priest 

“On 9/11, I was actually called in communication with American Airlines before they even lost their first plane.” 

As the airport chaplain, Father Richard Uftring, still recalls the horrors of the fateful day when airplanes leaving Boston intentionally crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and rural Pennsylvania. Nearly ten years later, one of this brother priests would experience something similar. 

FR. SEAN O'CONNOR 

Boston Priest 

“On the day of the Boston Marathon, I arrived there and they threw a Boston police jacket over me so I could enter into the horror of that day.” 

A former policeman himself, Father Sean O'Connor was overwhelmed. He later found out, one of the children killed in the blast regularly went to Mass at his parish. 

With such tragedies striking Boston, the archdiocese feels the work of priests, providing spiritual assistance, is more important ever. But as they age, who looks after the well being of priests?

As archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean O'Malley created the Clergy Funds, a financial trust that covers medical and living costs for senior priests in good standing. 

FR. RICHARD UFTRING 

Boston Priest 

“I've been here now 17 years. I look at the airport chapel as a parish. There door is always open, and it's a continual motion through here.” 

Donations make up the majority of contributions to the Clergy Funds. It allows priests, like Father Uftring, that have given so much, to get something in return, especially when they need it most.