Diocese of Ossory tops transparency score table 2020

The two largest dioceses (Dublin and Down & Connor) are near the top of the table. Smaller dioceses like Ferns and Elphin have performed well and are keeping their websites updated. Most disappointing of all is the fact that 2 dioceses make no financial information available on their websites or on the Charity Regulator websites (Kerry and Killaloe).

Despite legislation requiring charities to report to the Charity Regulator being a legal requirement since 2014 only 10 of our 26 Dioceses include their Annual Accounts on their Diocesan websites. Of course they are not required by law to include their Accounts on their websites. But today most people seek information online and expect it to be provided in an open and transparent manner.

While lay men and women are increasingly involved on diocesan Finance Committees, sadly this is not reflected in the numbers of diocesan trustees. Only 6% of the 148 trustees of the 26 Diocese in Ireland are lay persons, with clerics making up 94% of the trustees.

The Transparency Scores are calculated based on 10 criteria developed by Voice of the Faithful in the USA. The criteria include the availability on websites of Annual Accounts; details of the Finance Committee; Search functions to quickly find information; financial guidelines.

In the USA 65% of Catholic dioceses include their Audited Accounts on their websites. In Ireland only 38% of our Catholic dioceses include their Audited Accounts on their websites.

 

Colm Holmes

We Are Church Ireland

19 June 2020