Archdiocese Registers Net Surplus of ˆ2.7m, Curia’s Surplus Drops from ˆ1.1m to ˆ172,365

By Helena Grech
Malta Independent
August 11, 2016

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2016-08-11/local-news/Archdiocese-registers-net-surplus-of-2-7-mil-Curia-s-surplus-drops-from-1-1-mil-to-172-365-6736162252


The Archdiocese registered a net surplus of ˆ2.7 million, up ˆ300,000 from the previous year. It is made up of the Curia, Maltese parishes, the Mdina Cathedral, homes for the elderly, children’s homes, homes for persons with disabilities and the seminary.

In contrast, the Archbishop’s Curia registered a sharp drop in its net surplus, from ˆ1.1 million in 2014 to ˆ172,365 in 2015.

The Curia cut its operational costs by about half, while full expenditure was reduced by ˆ500,000 – preventing the entity from falling back into the red. Income declined from roughly ˆ8 million in 2014 to ˆ6.4 million in 2015.

Donations sent to the Curia went up in 2015, from ˆ150,378 in 2014 to ˆ223,020 last year. The bulk of expenditure went to remuneration, which remained relatively stable between 2014 and 2015 - ˆ2.9 million in remuneration was paid to priests while lay employees cost a total of ˆ1.3 million.

When speaking of the Archdiocese in its entirety, the bulk of income stemmed from donations (ˆ9.9 million), Investment Income (ˆ5.8 million), Residents’ fees (ˆ5 million) and government grants at (ˆ7.5 million).

Michael Pace Ross, the Administrative Secretary of the Diocese spoke of Pastoral and other initiatives, such as the launching of a home for palliative care. He explained that the Archbishop made the announcement last month, and that the home would provide palliative care free of charge.

He also spoke of the upcoming restoration of Curia archives, describing the archives as “a jewel in the crown.” He said that once ready, it would be open to all, and all those wishing to research and analyse hundred-year-old documents would be free to do so.

Mr Pace Ross said that the Curia is focusing on setting up a Foundation for Cultural Heritage, in order to try and garner as many EU funds as possible. He said that there would be a coordination function of all parishes in Malta, in order to gauge what restoration works are required. In this way, there would be one EU funding application, making access to funding more efficient and hopefully more successful.