PROPERTY owned by the Diocese of Limerick will be sold for housing to help bring in cash to pay church bills.
The move comes following concerns from Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy, who said that the continuing annual operational deficit facing the Diocese is “not sustainable in the long term and will require necessary interventions in the years ahead”.
One such measure is the proposed sale of a site adjacent to the Diocesan Centre and St Munchin’s College.
Commenting on the sale of this property, Bishop Leahy said: “More such measures may have to be considered in the years ahead if the Diocese is to maintain services. The proposed sale of this site is one of a number of steps we must consider to stabilise our financial position. It is important that we act now, in a measured and responsible way, to safeguard the future of the Diocese.”
The Diocese currently employs the equivalent of 13 full-time staff delivering a wide range of services to parishes and priests across Limerick. These include Child and Adult Safeguarding, Pastoral and Youth Ministry, Lay Pastoral supports, liturgical resources and support for the promotion of Vocations and the ongoing formation of clergy.
It also plays a central role in supporting schools through Diocesan Advisors on Religious Education, as well as providing patronage and governance support to Boards of Management. In addition, the Diocese manages a broad range of operational functions including financial management and accounts, governance and compliance, property management, Garda vetting and other essential services.
However, the primary source of funding for these services is a levy paid by individual parishes, (through the monthly Diocesan Needs Collection), Bishop Leahy explained. But with Mass attendance having declined significantly over recent decades, that levy is becoming difficult to maintain and there is increasing pressure on Diocesan finances.
At the same time, the demands on the services provided by the Diocese to parishes continues to grow, particularly as clergy numbers decline and regulatory, governance and safeguarding requirements increase.
Bishop Leahy added: “The reality is that we are facing a sustained position of a yearly deficit in our budget. While we are fortunate to have some reserves, this is not a situation that can continue indefinitely. We must take prudent and, at times, difficult decisions to ensure the long-term viability of the Diocese and the services we provide.”
“We are in a situation where our costs are rising, and we need to employ competent lay people who provide wonderful service. But our income base is reducing due to declining Mass attendance. This creates a gap that we simply cannot ignore”.