Dublin Archdiocese finances 'strained by compensation claims'

The Dublin Catholic archdiocese is on the brink of financial collapse due to the volume of compensation payouts to victims of clerical abuse, it has been claimed.

The Irish Catholic newspaper has seen a consultation document from the Council of Priests in which concerns are raised over mounting bills for the compensation of victims of clerical abuse.

The falling level of church donations are also mentioned as an issue.

So far, 172 civil actions from people alleging abuse have been taken against 44 priests in the archdiocese.

These cases have racked up a total compensation bill of €13.5m to date, with 55 cases ongoing.

The Dublin Archdiocese is now understood to be launching a concerted campaign to avoid the threat of financial ruin, with the imposition of a levy on Catholic households in Dublin understood to be among the proposals under consideration.