The financial situation of the Archdiocese of Malta is such that its money reserves are running out, leading the Curia’s administrative secretary to make the unprecedented statement that “the reserve we had over the years is about to finish and we foresee that we’re going to have huge problems to meet expenses”.
Faced with such dire news, one might be tempted to quickly suggest to the Archdiocese to start selling some of its property or possessions to address the problems, having experienced a shortfall of a €1 million in 2008 and €869,555 last year.
However, the situation requires much deeper thought.
First of all, it ought to be borne in mind that, in 1993, the Church transferred to the state the immovable ecclesiastical property it had, which at the time was not considered required for pastoral purposes.
Secondly, counselling the selling of Church property and possessions to balance the books only offers a limited temporary solution. Moreover, there are certain considerations. For instance, the Church could only dispose of its property according to canon law and something belonging to one of the Archdiocese’s 110 different entities cannot just be taken away to support another entity, ignoring the obligations linked to that same property or possession. Besides, the Church’s riches form part of the national heritage.
According to the Church’s financial report, last year’s imbalance was due to several major factors, among them the overall increase in general expenses, a drop in the interest paid on fixed income investments and the ever-increasing costs required for the maintenance and restoration of historic buildings that form part of the patrimony bequeathed by our forefathers at great personal sacrifice.
The report appears to show that the Archdiocese is becoming all the more dependent on the people’s support and that the main thrust for the future must be that of securing better help from the members of the Church, primarily for those entities and projects in the red.
In fact, the Archdiocese’s message is that, in order for the Church to continue to be as effective at a pastoral and social level as it is being today, it is necessary that the faithful acknowledge these realities and commit themselves to provide their service and support to the Church in every possible way, including through financial means.
One is confident that all those who hold the Church close to their hearts will continue to rise to the occasion and ensure it is able to continue providing properly for worship, works of charity, support for the pastors of souls and for pastoral projects.
People will surely be more encouraged to extend help in a tangible way if they are provided with additional information. For example, how has the ratio between the income from investments deposits and loans fared over a number of years when compared to that from collections and donations and what are the projections in this area for the future?
More importantly, what will the Church do to “educate” even more its members about its pastoral priorities, to ensure that more and more funds are channelled to more meaningful projects instead of being spent, perhaps without due moderation, in initiatives one can do without or celebrations that, by the end of the day, evaporate into thin air?
Surely, the Church has no problem giving such information and, likewise, surely the faithful will reciprocate through their commitment and generosity.