The authors say they found communities hopeful and willing to work to keep the faith alive but also discovered a Church saddened by amalgamations and the pandemic.

Visiting several small towns in the diocese's Otago-Southland catchment, the roadshow team gathered the views of 113 people. Most were reportedly in the 50-and-above age group and were Pakeha.

"When we first set up these meetings, we thought we might get six to eight people. The number we did get has demonstrated there was a desire for something," one said.

She said she was touched by "the depth and variety of emotions expressed, especially around church closures, even though they understand the practicality of the decisions made.

"The sense of loss, not just of the church, but also their community, was still very raw for some."

"While these meetings were held just before the synod process started, they have given us a great insight into our rural communities and their needs," a team member said.

Specific issues mentioned at all the meetings focused on ageing parish populations and dwindling parish numbers, the post-roadshow report says.

Among the recommendations from the different communities were: the formation of lay ministers, working with the youth, a more collaborative ministry in the pastoral areas, and financial assistance for parish councils, particularly in the maintenance of their buildings.

The diocese is planning another roadshow for this year.

Source

• NZ Catholic
• Image: NZ Catholic

According to a Diocesan Finance Committee report published in The Tablet last month, the diocesan overdraft at the end of 2019 was just under $10 million.

While an offset agreement with the ANZ Bank meant no interest was paid on the debt, it also meant most of the money invested by parishes and the diocese in the Catholic Development Fund couldn't "provide an investment return."

The report says although the overdraft on the diocese's operating account had been kept stable over the past three years, it is time "to proactively begin paying this debt off."

"We have transferred the $10million debt into a new account, entitled the CDD Mortgage account, and we have created a 30-year mortgage repayment plan. Regular and graduated payments will be made into this account each month."

"As the ‘mortgage' is paid down, our CDF funds will gradually be freed up and be able to be invested. The plan is to make these monthly payments from rental and investment income, an income we need to grow."

"The debt should not be our primary focus from now on."

The diocese's tendency in former years to sell assets to cover expenses means it has "very few diocesan and parish assets that can generate supplementary income," the Committee says in the report.

"Now is the time to start rebuilding our asset base," it continues.

"We are beginning to identify parish land and property that could be developed, so as to return an income. It is possible that we might be able to create joint ventures between the diocese and projects in parishes that will benefit the parish and diocesan income streams."

Also in the report is a discussion about the Committee's goal - and the steps it will take to reach it - to generate sufficient investment income to reduce the diocesan levy on parishes. While the levy is currently set at 25 percent of parish income, the Committee aims to reduce it to 20 percent by 2024 and 17 percent by 2030.

"This will mean more income is available for parish-based ministry," the report says. No legacies or bequests would be used to for this purpose, it adds.

Referring to the "Impact of Covid-19", the Committee reports that the diocese did not take the 25 percent levy from parishes in May and June. It says it also offered rent reductions for its Moran Building and Martin's Bay tenants.

"While we will record a loss over May and June, we did receive the wage subsidy for many of our staff," the report says.

Introducing a different funding formula for Holy Cross Seminary training in 2020 has resulted in the diocese's costs being "significantly reduced," it notes.

Dunedin diocese vicar general Fr Gerard Aynsley says the report's purpose is "to provide some clarity around diocesan finances and to provide some assurance and confidence in the diocese's financial plan."

Source

• NZ Catholic
• Image: Catholic Diocese of Dunedin