D’Arcy: Most dioceses’ finances flagging

THE finances of most dioceses around the country are flagging as collections and Mass attendance figures plummet, it has been claimed.

Well-known media commentator Fr Brian D’Arcy said generally speaking, the church was being hit due to a culmination of factors from dwindling investment returns to falling revenue from Church collections.

He noted the abuse scandals had done “very serious damage” to the Church.