Irish Church loses millions in bank share wipeout Report, page 38
Clergy told to control spending
Christopher Lamb
SOME CATHOLICparishes are living beyond their means, according to the Archbishop of Westminster, who urged priests to take into account today’s difficult financial climate. In a speech to diocesan clergy, he also asked priests to be “scrupulously accurate” with parish funds as there is “no public sympathy” for any wrongdoing. “These are difficult times and we face [a] challenge in planning now for the future of our parishes. It is a fact that a fair number of parishes are spending beyond their means and if that is not carefully managed it is simply storing up trouble ahead,” Archbishop Vincent Nichols told priests in the Archdiocese of Westminster.
“Others are simply not looking to future needs, or making present provision for them, in a measured way. We are not incumbents of a personal benefice but custodians of a heri - tage which we must try to pass on in an improved and strengthened state to those who follow us,” said the archbishop, adding: “Incidentally, we need to be scrupulously
accur ate in our stewardship of parish funds. There is no hiding place for any misuse of such funds and, rightly, as we have seen, there is no public sympathy for those who take advan- tage of trust or manipulate regulatory controls.” The Church across the country faces finan-
cial difficulty with changes to gift aid, meaning less can be claimed back in tax from April. The increase in VAT being introduced in the new year will also have an impact. Currently the archbishop is meeting priests from across the archdiocese in different groups. In his speech he emphasised the importance of a “visible unity of mind and action which we offer to our people”. “Could I put it like this: none of us has the right to be more restrictive in what we offer to people than the general provisions laid down by the Church. “These are not matters for our personal
preference or taste. This applies, for example, to the manner in which Holy Communion is distributed and the way in which the Extraordinary Rite of the Mass is used,” the archbishop said.
“Equally none of us is to be more lax than the same universal provisions require. Examples here might be the use of General Absolution and the observance of norms for the Sacrament of Marriage or for reception into full communion.
“Do not misunderstand. I am not trying to
suggest that we are somehow robotic. We have great responsibilities as pastors which no one else can fulfil and these responsibilities must be exercised with discernment.”
Response to abuse victims must improve
VICTIMS OFclerical abuse have at times been treated with suspicion and without sufficient respect, according to the Church’s child pro- tection agency, which is calling for changes to the way it works, writes Christopher Lamb. The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service
(CSAS) says in its latest newsletter that while the Church has done well on “policies and procedures” it needs “to look for improvement in our response to survivors of clerical abuse”. “What I have picked up from talking to vic- tims is that when they have come forward they weren’t always being listened to respect- fully or in a way in which they were entitled to. Sometimes there was an element of sus- picion,” said Adrian Child, the director of CSAS. “There is a balance that needs to be struck between reaching out compassionately to someone but at the same time recognising that what is being said may not have been tested and can’t be taken at face value … We haven’t always found the right balance,” said Mr Child, adding that it was difficult for the Church to respond to victims,
particularly when a version of events had not been verified. Mr Child said much good work was being done by dioceses with victims but explained that the question of church apologies needed to be addressed. In the past, bishops have not been able to apologise because it would leave the Church open to legal challenges. Mr Child said CSAS and the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC) were in talks with victims to improve the Church’s response. One area that is being explored is the establishment of “care path- ways” for victims, which include offering counselling and pastoral support. Margaret Kennedy, who runs the group Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors, said the Church should fund independent groups to carry out the care needed, as many victims would not want a church-run service. During his visit to Britain, Pope Benedict held a meeting with Catholic safeguarding officials, the first time he has held a meeting with such a group.
IN BRIEF
Appeal over abuse claims refused The Court of Appeal has refused the Diocese of Middlesbrough permission to appeal to the Supreme Court against a ruling that it was liable for an £8 million claim made those who say they were abused at St William’s Community Home in Market Weighton, Yorkshire, between 1958 and 1992. Last month, judges had ruled that the diocese, not the De La Salle Brotherhood which provided teachers at the home, has legal responsibility for the claims. Solictors for the diocese said they were considering the matter.
Good news for babies The Chief Executive of the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) has praised the European Parliament’s deci- sion to extend maternity leave to 20 weeks. Dr Rosemary Keenan said: “The proposed increases, which are generous, will enable women to enjoy a reasonable amount of time off with their baby without worrying about the financial impact of reduced pay. This is good news for babies.” A number of national governments had opposed the move to extend the time limit; currently maternity leave is 14 weeks.
Iraq massacre protest Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Westminster on Monday to protest against the massacre of dozens of Catholics in an Iraqi church last month. They criticised the British Government’s silence over the attack by Islamic extremist gunmen on worshippers at the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance, Baghdad, which left 53 people dead, and called on the Government to protect Iraq’s Christians. A memorial Mass for those killed was due to take place at 7 p.m. on 12 November at Holy Trinity Church, Brook Green, west London (originally the date for the memorial had been 5 November).
‘Terror plot’ arrests to be reviewed A review is to be held into the arrests of six street cleaners suspected of plotting a terrorist attack during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain. Lord Carlile of Berriew will examine whether the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit was justified in detaining the men after carrying out armed raids on prop- erties in north and east London during the visit in September. The men, who worked for a private firm on behalf of Westminster Council, were all eventually released without charge.
13 November 2010 | THE TABLET | 37
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