INCOME AT MANY CATHOLIC PARISHES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAS DROPPED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. FOLLOWING REVELATIONS EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN IS IN FINANCIAL CRISIS, THE ARCHDIOCESES OF TUAM, LIKE A NUMBER OF OTHER DIOCESE IS REPORTING A DROP OF ABOUT 15 PERCENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TUAM SAID THE AUDITED ACCOUNTS FROM THE VARIOUS PARISHES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE SHOW A 15 PERCENT DROP. THE DROP WAS ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO THE EFFECTS OF THE ECONOMIC RECESSION.

A SLIGHT DECLINE IN MASS ATTENDANCE IS NOTED IN SOME PARISHES AND THE CONTINUING NEGATIVE PUBLICITY IN RELATION TO CHILD SAFEGUARDING ISSUES IS ALSO CITED AS A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAID EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO CUT BACK, AND FINANCE COMMITTEES AT PARISH AND DIOCESAN LEVEL ARE WORKING ON WAYS TO ENSURE SERVICES CONTINUE ON TIGHTER BUDGETS. THE SALARIES OF PRIESTS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE, WHO EARN €1,760 PER MONTH, BEFORE TAX, HAVE NOT INCREASED SINCE 2008.