Bishop’s fund raising hurt by scandal, but some giving more

PORTLAND – Fewer people are giving money to Bishop Joseph Gerry’s annual fund-raising campaign for social service and diocese-related programs this year. But those who are giving are donating more.

Bill Richards, head of the Bishop’s Appeal, said the priest sex abuse scandal has contributed to the 8 percent decline in the number of contributors this year. He said other factors may include the slow economy and the fall in the stock market.

About two-thirds of the more than 100 people who have written the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland with comments said they will not give anything this year to send a message of displeasure, Richards said.

But others said they were contributing to the campaign to show continued support for the church despite the scandal.

The campaign, which began in May, has raised about $3.2 million so far, or 2 percent less than at this time last year.

Gerry has acknowledged that many Catholics are angry over the abuse scandal and might not donate this year. In a letter in late July to people who had given in the past but not this year, Gerry wrote that he understands why people have not contributed, but urged them to reconsider.

“Your participation will show a disbelieving world that even in times of scandal and division we can rally around the core of our faith,” he wrote.

The money raised in the appeal supports many of the diocese’s educational, pastoral and social programs. It also goes to support several independent Catholic-based groups, including Catholic Charities of Maine and St. Andre’s Home for pregnant girls in Biddeford.

The appeal begins in May and the vast majority of donations are received by the end of September.

At the 141 parishes across the state, contributions have ranged from a high of 228 percent of goal to a low of 24 percent of goal at St. Joseph Church in Ellsworth. St. Joseph was one of three churches in Maine to have a priest removed for alleged past sexual misconduct.

Terri Ouellete, a parishioner at the church, said many people are not happy with how Gerry and the church have handled the scandal. Some are angry because they believe that Gerry removed Father Leo James Michaud without sufficient evidence.

Parishioners in Ellsworth have contributed just $3,835 this year compared with $18,755 last year.

“To me, it’s a way of saying we aren’t happy with the responses we’re getting,” Ouellete said. “Despite the fact they said they’d be more open to victims and lay participation, when I call down there to the [diocese], I don’t get a phone call back. I don’t want to support an office that isn’t even willing to acknowledge phone calls.”

In Boston, where the priest sex abuse crisis first unfolded donations are off by about 40 percent.

According to Richards, head of the appeal in Maine, 19,551 people have contributed to the campaign, compared to more than 23,000 people last year.