ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT: Period Ended 31 December 2015. Please click on the following link to access the Report.
Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Clogher Financial Report 2015
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2015
The Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Clogher has today published, for the first time, financial information on its parishes and diocesan administration. The release of the financial report for 2015, which has been filed with the Charities Regulator, provides an overview of the funds held by parishes and the diocese and includes the financial activities of the combined parishes and the diocesan administration (curia) for the year. The publication of this information by the diocese is a demonstration of its commitment to compliance with charities legislation, as well as to transparency and accountability.
The financial report makes it clear that all expenditure is in furtherance of the charitable objects of the trust, and these objects are clearly outlined in the accounts. Significant costs are those associated with servicing and maintaining church buildings. Altogether, these came to €1.6m with a further €0.89m being spent on various renovation projects during the year. Church buildings are, for the most part, listed buildings which continually require specialised maintenance and refurbishment.
The report also shows that the diocese has conserved funds to meet future costs, both anticipated and unforeseen.
These funds are comprised of designated funds which belong to the 37 parishes of the diocese as well as diocesan agencies, organisations and institutions. The remaining diocesan funds are almost all restricted funds, held for specific purposes such as Education, Vocations, the maintenance of the Diocesan Cathedral and the care of the sick and retired priests.
The total income of the diocese and its parishes for the year was €14.3m. A total of €11.7m was spent on the charitable objectives and activities of the parishes and diocesan agencies and organisations. Taking into account a growth of €0.6m in investments, this left an excess of income over expenditure across the diocese of €3.2m, which is held by the 37 parishes and the diocesan curia.
In a letter read at all Masses in the diocese this weekend, the Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Joseph McGuinness thanked all those who generously and regularly support their parishes, the diocese and their priests. He also thanked all priests and administrative staff in parishes and diocesan organisations for their work in achieving compliance with the recently-enacted charities legislation, noting that support for the work of the Church is vital in every local community:
A great strength of our Church is its presence and ministry in each local community. Over recent years, both Irish society and the Church have witnessed much change and upheaval and this change is going to continue to challenge us into the future. That is why your ongoing and continuing support is vital. Vital too will be input of lay people in each and every parish. In this regard, I especially thank the many volunteers across our diocese who work for the Church so willingly and in so many ways, day after day. Both now and in the years ahead, your role and your contributions, financial and otherwise, will be key to our continuing work across the whole diocese.
The Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Clogher is a registered charity. The diocese is made up of 37 parishes – 20 in the Republic of Ireland, 15 in Northern Ireland and 2 which are divided by the border. Other entities whose financial activities are included in the accounts include St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg, Clogher don Óige, the Lourdes Pilgrimage and the two diocesan seminaries. Its administrative headquarters is in Monaghan and its financial activities fall within the requirements of both the Charities Regulator in the Republic of Ireland and Charities Commission of Northern Ireland. Over recent years, the diocese – at all levels- has made considerable progress in achieving compliance with the various regulatory requirements north and south and it is committed to continuing on this course.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR, Mgr JOSEPH McGUINNESS – Read at all Masses in the Diocese of Clogher on weekend of 11/12 November 2017.
My Dear Priests and People of the Diocese of Clogher,
This weekend, we are publishing the Financial Report for the Diocese of Clogher for 2015. For the first time, information on the overall financial activity of our parishes and our diocese will be publicly available. In doing this, the diocese is demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability as well as its compliance with the recently enacted charities legislation, north and south.
The Financial Report for 2015 gives an overview of the funds held by all the parishes and the diocesan administration, including its agencies and diocesan organisations. The Financial Report is available on our diocesan website and through social media links.
There are few important points I wish to make:
1. I wish to express a sincere word of thanks to all of you who contribute so generously and regularly to our parishes, to the diocese and towards the support of our priests. Your financial support is vital and means that the work of your parish and your diocese can continue daily – in furthering the mission to proclaim the Gospel and support the spiritual life of our communities. Your generosity supports families, schools and parish organisations, as well as the many charitable causes which the Church promotes.
2. One of the main items of expenditure in our parishes each year is the maintenance of our church buildings and parish facilities. The vast majority of our churches are listed buildings which require specialised maintenance and refurbishment. Your ongoing contributions mean that the funds will continue to be in place to protect our buildings into the future.
3. Money held by the Diocese and its parishes is only used for the defined charitable objectives of the Diocese, and these are stated clearly in the Financial Report. This means that all funds have a particular purpose. The funds held by each parish are designated funds. In other words, they are solely for the purposes of the parish. Funds held by the Diocese are almost all restricted funds, held for the specific purposes for which people have donated them such as Education, Vocations, the maintenance of our Diocesan Cathedral and the care of sick and retired priests.
4. The financial report shows that the diocese is complying with charities legislation and, at the same time, ensuring that our parishes and diocese maintain financial records and sound procedures in accordance with the law and best practice. In addition, the report for 2015 shows that the financial situation of the Diocese of Clogher as a whole is secure and that we are in a good position to face future challenges. Obviously, the work of financial control and reporting is ongoing and this will be reflected in future reports over the years ahead.
I wish to thank all those who have helped in the process of producing this Report and in the ongoing work of ensuring our Diocese meets the exacting requirements of the Charities Legislation. I thank Bishop Liam MacDaid and the Diocesan Charity Steering Committee, who initiated and directed the compliance process in the diocese. I also thank our Financial Administrator, the Canons of the Diocesan Chapter, the members of the Diocesan Finance Committee and the Trustees.
I thank in a special way all the priests and administrative staff in our parishes and all in our diocesan organisations. Without their commitment, understanding and hard work, the task of compliance with the new regulations would have been impossible.
A great strength of our Church is its presence and ministry in each local community. Over recent years, both Irish society and the Church have witnessed much change and upheaval and this change is going to continue to challenge us into the future. That is why your ongoing and continuing support is vital. Vital too will be input of lay people in each and every parish. In this regard, I especially thank the many volunteers across our diocese who work for the Church so willingly and in so many ways, day after day. Both now and in the years ahead, your role and your contributions, financial and otherwise, will be key to our continuing work across the whole diocese.
May God continue to bless us all.
Beir beannacht,
MONSIGNOR JOSEPH McGUINNESS
Diocesan Administrator 10 November 2017.
