Archbishop asks his priests to pay into fund for abuse victims
Irish Independent
Monday January 09 2012
By Barry Duggan and Mark Hilliard
AN archbishop has asked priests to pay up to €720 each year into a fund used to compensate victims of clerical sex abuse.
The Irish Independent has learned that letters have been sent by Archbishop Dermot Clifford to all priests in the Cashel and Emly Archdiocese asking them to pay between €50 and €60 per month to a Clergy Contribution Fund.
The letter says the money will be paid into the fund because of the “debts incurred in relation child protection issues” — but does not say it would be used for payouts.
However, it has been learned that the fund in question was quietly set up three years ago and is solely used to pay compensation for clerical sex abuse.
When contacted, a spokes-man for the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly refused to comment — or to say how much money has been paid in relation to the “child protection issues”.
Up to 80 priests in 46 parishes across Tipperary and Limerick have been asked to contribute to the Clergy Contribution Fund. If every priest complied with the request, it would raise approximately €50,000 for the diocese per annum.
Curates are paid around €20,000 per year, with parish priests paid marginally more. They are paid centrally from the diocese. The diocese, in turn, receives money from each parish, with the amount determined by the number of Catholic residents it has.
The priests were not informed how much has been paid out or what is the current balance of the Clergy Contribution Fund. The administration of the fund is overseen by the archbishop.
The diocesan spokesman refused to reveal the balance of the fund — and said the letter was “strictly confidential”. The spokesman added that it was a private matter and that no figures had been disclosed.
In the letter marked ‘Private and Confidential to the Clergy of Cashel and Emly’, Dr Clifford reminded his colleagues that, at the last meeting of the Council of Priests, a discussion took place amongst council members regarding the Clergy Contribution Fund.
“Due to debts incurred in relation to child protection issues, it is the opinion of the council that I make a renewed appeal to the priests of the diocese for the restoration of contributions to the fund,” Dr Clifford wrote.
“The suggested level of contribution in this renewed appeal was made at the Council of Priests that parish priests contribute €60 per month and curates €50,” he added.
The contributions are voluntary and it is understood any contributions come directly and solely from the salaries of priests.
Dr Clifford said it is recommended that contributions be deducted at source from priests’ monthly allowance.
“This arrangement would facilitate the smooth operation of the fund,” he wrote.
However, the Irish Survivors of Child Abuse (ISCA) dismissed this suggestion last night, saying the letter amounted to a request that compensation be provided by friends and relatives of abuse victims as priests would inevitably receive money from parishioners.
Priests have previously voluntarily donated to the fund from their own resources on an intermittent basis.
Neither the diocesan spokesman nor their child protection delegate would comment on what were the child protection issues which resulted in debts for the Clergy Contribution Fund.
It is unknown how many, if any, other dioceses have asked priests to contribute from their own salaries towards payouts for victims of clerical sex abuse.
Yesterday, the vast majority failed to respond to queries asking them to set out their individual stance.
However, the Archdiocese of Dublin, as well as the Dioceses of Waterford and Lismore and of Down and Connor, did respond to confirm that no such request had been made of their own clergy.
A spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Ireland said the issue of fundraising and of how that money is used is a matter for individual dioceses.
- Barry Duggan and Mark Hilliard
Irish Independent
It is noteworthy that the article does not say how much the Bishop is dinged for his share. He should not get off free, because it has beeen the Bishops all along who have been the enablers who allowed the abuse to continue, and to be as wide spread as it is and was.
…”child protection issues”???………how bout titling it….. “solely used to pay compensation for clerical sex abuse”. That’s a more realistic term.
Is not the Priest’s salary derived from the tithing of the parishoners? I suggest the “two cents worth”* contribution each week for a year from every parishoner. It will take a melt-down of ~Irish Cathedral golden frames and ceilings and rings and mass-related paraphernalia~ to help raise that compensation for clerical sex abuse.
* For those not familiar with this term….someone at this site said he/she was putting in an envelope at collection “two cents” each week. It was their “two cents worth”. If all parishoners did this, the clergy would come to its knees. In fact, a bit more kneeling would keep them in good standing! (I couldn’t resist that one!!)
Thanks for the plug about becoming a 2-cent-er. Good closing shot on your post as well.
The reason for putting the 2 cents in an ENVELOPE is that those who want to do it anonymously can use this method.
I love the idea of giving our “2-cents-worth.” My only suggestion is that your parish priest and diocesan officials must know why the 2 cents. I therefore suggest a small note explaining that this is you 2-cents-worth – and why. The note doesn’t need to be signed – that is your choice, but at least the message will get through that there is a reason for the 2 cents. You could type out the note and run off a raft of copies ready to slip into an envelope with your 2 cents week after week after week.
Correction on something I said earlier. It’s not 40 Catholic schools closing in Pennsylvania/Philadelphia area. It’s FORTY EIGHT schools closing. Mostly grammar schools and 4 highschools. Private Catholic schools are big in USA. Where’s the money going? Take a guess.
So sickening to tithe parishioners for the clergy abuse – however this happens informally all the time. He is at least open about it.
Re: 2 cents movement. Yes- I am in – and plan to start next Sunday. I like the idea of getting people to just do this – and then – the church will find out why – on their own.
I would love to see a larger campaign. “Empty Plate Month”. i.e. If you disagree with clerical child abuse…do not donate to your church for the month of February.
I really like the idea of an empty plate month and the 2 cent campaign however to go even further I wonder if during the no payment month those funds that would have been donated to the RC church be redirected to charities or foundations that assist in helping survivors of sexual abuse..specifically for counseling support and remediation of harm done to long term abuse victims. I read with concern above of the fund specifically elicited from the priest`s pay be directed to help out in child protection issues. Given the Church`s present practice of deceit, mounting defenses and face saving and public relations manipulation I do no feel those funds would be vested in large part towards the support of the children hurt by the criminals amongst them. Those funds can go quickly to support nefarious abusers, the legal teams and the travel of defense supporters. I don`t think the many left in the pews would tolerate this redirection of their hard earned monies. to be used to maintain the present status quo. Just an idea ..make one month a total redirection of funds to non-catholic support services for the vulnerable and the affected of these crimes.
Michael, it is our intention that the 2-cent contribution would continue until the Bishops come to their knees and really change how they deal with ALL cases of sexual abuse by clergy.