A study of Roman Catholic donors' reaction to the clergy sex abuse crisis

AP (from KC Star) ^ | 13 January 2005

[Catholic54321]

WASHINGTON - A study of Roman Catholic donors' reaction to the clergy sex abuse crisis has found that more than one-third would back selling church property or taking special collections if necessary to fund settlements with victims.

The survey of consistent Mass attenders by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities and Zogby International also found that just over one-third considered declaring bankruptcy an appropriate way to protect church assets.

About 28 percent said closing parishes would also be an acceptable way to save money.

Three dioceses - in Portland, Ore., Tucson, Ariz., and Spokane, Wash. - have filed for bankruptcy in the face of millions of dollars in molestation claims. Advocates for victims have accused those dioceses of trying to evade responsibility for abusive priests, but the bishops have denied the accusation, saying the abuse claims far exceed diocesan assets.

The study also found that about 14 percent of regular Mass attenders decreased their parish giving since the crisis began three years ago, while 19 percent said they gave less to national fund-raising appeals from the U.S. bishops.

About 800 Catholic adults who said they attended Mass weekly or almost weekly participated in the telephone poll, which was conducted in December 2004. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.