Six months ago, the diocesan finance committee set up a committee to review parish finances and many of the recommendations made are to be implemented next year. At a press briefing in Ennis presbytery where he was accompanied by diocesan finance committee members, David Williams, John Curran and Fr. Gerry Kenny, Bishop Walsh ruled out the prospect of selling off valuable property such as land at St. Flannan's College to raise finance. He said the college authorities had done so in the past but he could not see it happening at the moment. Outlining how they intend to address the question of raising more finance, Bishop Walsh said people will be asked to give more to their parish and diocese in future.
Many people are very generous in giving and some, through lack of thought, give very little.
Large numbers of people who do not attend Church still make use of facilities such as schools, halls and churches on occasion. It is hardly fair on their part to expect the old age pensioner to pay towards the school which benefits their children, while they themselves do not make any financial contribution to the parish or its schools. Last year for example, Ennis parish alone contributed 22,330 towards its schools for capitation representing 10 per pupil attending the parish schools. One of a number of dioceses to publish accounts in recent years, the decision for Killaloe to go public was taken about two years ago, following consultation between the finance committee and the council of priests. Publishing these accounts is in keeping with the growing demand for accountability on the part of all institutions.