There was confusion last night among religious congregations over the statement issued by the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) secretary general Father Michael Drennan S.J. yesterday. Most seemed unaware of what its content referred to.
Father Drennan was not available to give an explanation, despite efforts to contact him.
Responding to queries as to whether the 18 congregations who signed an indemnity agreement with the Government last year would disclose details of their assets in the public arena, he said this was already being considered by them.
"The congregations within CORI are urgently examining models of approach to conducting an audit of properties used in the State's delivery of social services, education and healthcare with a view to a transparent public communication of this data.
"The decision to gather and publish information about congregation properties was taken some time ago as part of CORI's preparation for planned changes in charity law. Those congregations which have already adopted a methodology for the task have published the information on their websites.
"Uniformity of approach will be required in order to ensure that information concerning properties owned by the orders, held in trust by them or transferred to the State is comprehensive, independently verified and comparable across all congregations," he said.
The statement followed comments made by the director of CORI's Justice Commission, Father Seán Healy, on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme on Monday night. He said he believed it would be beneficial if the 18 congregations who signed the indemnity deal were to provide details of their assets in the public arena.
However, a search of the relevant congregations' websites by The Irish Times yesterday proved fruitless in locating any of the information Father Drennan's statement suggested was there.
Furthermore, a source close to the same congregations said the statement had been issued without consultation. They were also unaware that they had been "urgently examining models of approach to conducting an audit of properties used in the State's delivery of social services, education and healthcare with a view to a transparent public communication of this data" or with a view to "preparation for planned changes in charity law."
"Talk of changes in the charity law has been around for years," the source said.
There has been no discussion among the 18 about an audit or making the finding of such an audit public, while the controversy about the indemnity deal was seen by congregations as a row between political parties.
In general, the congregations felt it inappropriate to comment on the controversy at this time, but may do so in the future. There were no plans for them to contribute any more than already agreed with the Government.
However, another source indicated that an audit was taking place among the 18 congregations on the lines suggested in Father Drennan's statement. This source also pointed out that there was considerable anger among religious orders at Father Healy's comments.
It was pointed out that although he was an employee of CORI, his order, the Society of African Missions, did not belong to CORI but was a member of the Irish Missionary Union.
