This article is from page 9 of the 2007-12-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
The Diocese of Killaloe was in the black at the end of last year showing a healthy profit margin of €105,160.
Publishing the 2006 diocesan ac- counts this week the Bishop of Kil- laloe, Dr Willie Walsh, thanked the people for their generosity.
The largest income for the diocese – more than half – came from parish- ioners through parish contribution.
The €459,968 gathered in this way was approximately 12.5 per cent of the parishes’ yearly income.
Investments totalled €290,324 in 2006, up more than €130,000 on the previous year.
Bequests and donations were down on 2005 with the diocese recording €41,400 in donations in 2006.
A diocesan payment totalling €191,400 to victims of abuse was made in 2006, with €23,218 going towards the child protection scheme.
“The ongoing fallout from the tragedy of sexual abuse by a small number of clergy in the distant past
continues to demand time and re- sources for healing and reconcili- ation. €191,401 have been paid in 2006 for this purpose,” said Bishop Walsh.
“This payment was funded princi- pally from part of the proceeds raised by sale of land at Bishop’s House in 2001 and the Stewardship Trust set up by the Irish Episcopal Confer- ence,’ Bishop Walsh added.
“In relation to child protection the figure of €23,218 reflects the com- mitment of the diocese to ensure best practice by all people in our parish communities who work with chil- dren and young people.
“Our specially trained child pro- tection workers visit every parish to assist with the continued implemen- tation of our child protection guide- lines “Keeping Children Safe” pub- lished in 2004,” he said.
Salaries and state insurance was the largest expense to the local diocese, costing €141,793.
Charitable contributions made up €105,450 of the expenditure.