Catholic parishes to give 15% to diocesan funds

Press, 8 April 1987, Page 9

Catholic parishes to give 15% to diocesan funds

Catholic parishes in Christchurch will treble their contribution to diocesan funds in an effort to cover a predicted deficit of $127,000 this financial year. In the past every parish had given 5 per cent of its collection plate to the diocese, said the chancellor, the Rt Rev. Tom Power. Now the contribution would be 15 per cent. Monsignor Power said the Church would not know if the increased income from the parishes would be enough to meet the diocese’s expenses until after the present re-

newal programme was completed. “In this programme individuals look at how much they can give to the Church and pledge a certain amount in a year,” he said.

It would be about two weeks before the final pledges were in. The diocese would then know if it could cover the running costs of $431,000. Monsignor Power said many Catholics were not really aware of the demands made of the Church at diocese level and did not realise how much was done.

The annual costs included prison chaplaincy ($50,000), social services ($27,000), seminary training ($35,000), and Justice and Development Commission ($13,000). Other projects included $15,000 on working with street kids and helping them to find jobs, accommodation, and a purpose in life, Monsignor Power said.

Although some individuals had increased their contribution to Church funds, falling attendances at church as well as inflation meant costs were rising faster than income.