Boston Archdiocese Opens Financial Records - Cardinal O'Malley's Letter On Financial Transparency

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

Dear Friends in Christ,

The document you are about to read is a comprehensive summary of the financial condition of the Archdiocese of Boston. It presents a look at all of the entities that most would consider to comprise the Archdiocese, with a particular focus on the principal operating entity, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, a Corporation Sole. Through full disclosure, a clear description of our organizational structure and the recognition of the impact of our difficult recent history, we hope to provide the faithful as complete an understanding as possible of our financial status.

The numbers on these pages are meaningful only when put within the context of ministry. As Catholics, we are charged with the mission of spreading the Gospel in word and in deed. That mission is served when a priest says Mass and when a child attends religious education class. It is also served when a soup kitchen feeds someone in need or a pastoral minister visits a hospital patient. The numbers within this report do not define who we are as Church, but they do provide a picture of the resources available to carry out our mission. And they tell us we have a great deal of work to do.

Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle For a Loved One

When we look at the decrease in revenue over previous years, we see clearly that our programs and ministries are at risk. In addition to increasing our fundraising, we must also determine how to function in an environment that is very different from that of a generation ago. The distribution of our parishioners is significantly different than twenty-five or fifty years ago, as is the number attending Mass every Sunday. Many of our schools are fully enrolled, but many others have far fewer students than past years. And while I am encouraged by the recent achievements of our vocation office, the number of young men and women entering formation for priesthood and religious life is far below the needs of our Archdiocese.

It is also clear that the revenue numbers reflect the painful experience of our recent past, the anger over the sexual abuse crisis and the closing of parishes. These numbers are one response of a wounded community, an expression of deep hurt and a measure of our need to remain focused on the long process of healing that lies ahead.

While our revenue is inadequate to fund our ministries, cultural and demographic trends show that those ministries have never been more needed. Sacramental activity at our parishes clearly indicates the need for faith formation from childhood through school years, particularly Campus Ministry for our college and university students, and throughout adult life. We need seminaries to effectively train our clergy and vocation programs to inspire new generations. We need Catholic schools to provide intellectual, spiritual and moral training for our future leaders within the Church and society at large.

A great deal has changed in the past few years, but what hasn't changed is who we are as Catholics and our ability to love and serve God and one another. We are one in the Body of Christ, and it is the love of Christ that will lead us forward. We can never forget our failings. Their effects will be with us throughout our lives. And we must strengthen our commitment to vigilance. But we cannot allow those failings to prevent us from continuing to carry out the mission Christ has entrusted to His Church.

Together--clergy, religious and laity--we will find the way forward. Our shared energy will strengthen the Catholic community. Committed to building strong and vibrant parishes, we will hand on to our children the legacy of a rich and full faith life. With compassion we will serve those in need. Guided by the teachings of Jesus, we will strive to do His will, to build the kingdom of God here on earth.

Free Catholic PDF's - Home / Parish / School / Bulletin Inserts

Devotedly yours in Christ,
+Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, OFM Cap
Archbishop of Boston

___________________

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston opened its books on Wednesday, releasing what experts and church officials say is the most detailed financial accounting any diocese has made available.

The reports show that the archdiocese has a $46 million deficit, the largest any diocese has ever had, according to two national experts on church finances.

Click here to review all their documents regarging Financial Transparency.

Contact

Archdiocese of Boston
http://www.rcab.org MA, US
Cardinal Sean P. O�Malley, OFM Cap - Archbishop of Boston, 617 254-0100

Email

info@yourcatholicvoice.org

Keywords

Boston, Sexual, Abuse, Archdiocese, O'Malley

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

« Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow