BishopAccountability.org
	Shining a Spotlight on Church Finances Boston Herald April 21, 2006 http://news.bostonherald.com/opinion/view.bg?articleid=136047 By opening its books to parishioners and the public this week, the Archdiocese of Boston has finally thrown open the windows to let the breeze blow through. For a church accustomed to concealing its ledgers behind heavy wooden doors, it was long overdue. Had the church been this forthcoming in the past, this willing to allow the faithful (the very people who finance the operation) to see the business end of things, the situation might never have grown so dire. As Cardinal Sean O'Malley promised (and without needing a new state law) the news is now there for all to see - and it is bad, indeed. "I think it's quite obvious that our situation is urgent, is dire," O'Malley said. The archdiocese is $46 million in the red, perhaps the largest deficit of any diocese ever. Dwindling donations in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis and declining attendance; pension and health care; and maintaining aging buildings have cost the church dearly. The archdiocese has paid out $150 million to settle sexual abuse claims. In part, the unprecedented financial disclosure was intended to prove that monthly collections or assets from parish closings was not used to settle those claims. It appears evident they were not. Church officials hope to close the budget gap within 18 months; an ambitious goal, to be sure. Church leaders also hope airing details of the financial predicament will inspire the faithful to give again. "We're not trying to keep secrets," O'Malley said. "We are trying to use the limited resources that we have for the mission of the church, and we want people to be on board about that." To win back the trust of parishioners, though, the church has no choice but to institutionalize this kind of honesty and open dialogue about its inner workings going forward. The hierarchy appears to have learned its lesson - the faithful will tolerate nothing less.
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