Priests working in the Diocese of Killaloe have a salary ceiling of just €20,754, the annual published accounts of the diocese showed yesterday, writes Gordon Deegan
In his statement accompanying the accounts, the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, said that the salary system was introduced in 2000 - allowing priests a guaranteed income of €16,800, rising incrementally to €20,752.
Bishop Walsh appealed to the public to give a small increase to the priests' collection this year, in line with general salary increases.
The annual diocesan accounts published yesterday shows that the diocese's net surplus almost doubled within the space of 12 months, going up from €122,904 in 2001 to €219,189 in 2002. The diocese's gross income during 2002 was €680,979, compared to €556,541 in 2001. Total expenditure last year was €461,790 - this represented a marginal increase on the €122,904 recorded in 2001.
Bishop Walsh said that the surplus "is in large part due to an increase in once-off donations and bequests received by the diocese during 2002". The accounts show that during 2002, the diocese received €239,844 in bequests and donations, compared to €118,638 in 2001.
"The surplus is needed at this time, as we plan for the future in accordance with the pastoral plan for the diocese which was published this November. Putting this plan into action is going to involve a significant increase in expenditure in areas such as pastoral planning, formation and support of priests, adult faith formation, child protection and administration at diocesan level," said Bishop Walsh.
The accounts do not include the value of the property owned by the Church across the diocese. This is a result of a move by the diocese in 1957 to establish St Flannan's (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust, a company limited by guarantee, to act as permanent trustee for all diocesan property beneficially owned by the diocese.