Over half of parishes have been losing money? Are parishes a business with profit and loss goals?
I realize collections are taken from parishioners. I am ignorant of the financial structure of the Catholic churches, so I’m sure I’m missing something.
I’m not sure how Pittsburgh is set up but churches kick back a share of their collections to the Archdiocese. However, I’m guessing these are big, beautiful, expensive to maintain churches that have suffered from dwindling attendance as “demographics have changed.” It’s a shame but a lot of big cities that had extensive Catholic populations that have moved have had to do this.
Only 200 priests for that many churches doesn’t help either.
Somewhat. They definitely have balance sheets. Parishes that don't operate in the black have to be subsidized by the diocese. The diocese doesn't have a license to print money, either, so if a parish consistently operates at a deficit, the problem needs to be fixed somehow. Either attract more contributors, or close down.
If you belong to a church of any denomination, they have to collect a certain amount of money to stay open.