The Archdiocese of Boston has announced that it will post the details of its budget on its web site and release the same information to the media. That’s a positive step in regaining the trust of Catholics in this area and it’s no more than most parishes do for their own finances. This way people will see where their money goes. It will also show that the money they give in the annual appeal doesn’t go to pay lawsuit settlements, but to fund good ministries such as the pro-life office and the office for youth ministry. The archdiocese will also release the details of real estate sales as they are made, which is also good because much of that property was originally acquired as gifts by lay Catholics to the Church. The people have a right to know how their Church is using their gifts.
Among the details already divulged are that the archdiocese is expecting some of the groups receiving suubsidies, such as the central high schools, The Pilot newspaper, and Catholic Cemetery Association, will have those cut and will be expected to become more self-sufficient. As the budget becomes more constrained, such actions are only logical.
