Love-cheat priest sues church for unfair dismissal
A monsignor sacked after having an affair has stunned the Catholic Church by bringing a landmark action against them – for unfair dismissal. Joseph Creegan, whose married mistress confessed to their 18-year fling, has rocked the Vatican by seeking cash for lost wages through an employment tribunal. Lawyers for the church are set to argue [...]
£290k cash windfall for Church after painting sells for 10 times estimate
A 16th century painting has been sold by the Catholic church for £288,500 – 10 times the estimate. The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles sold the Anointing of the Crucified Christ to help pay for the renovation of St Donnan’s Church on Eigg. Father Andrew Barrett, of Arisaig Parish, which takes in the tiny [...]
Churches in water charge reprieve
Small charities, churches and voluntary groups are to be exempt from paying water charges for the next six years, the Scottish Government has said. The current exemption, which had been due to run out in 2010, will now be extended to 2014. The move follows a campaign by charities and churches to fight the introduction [...]
Churches facing a timebomb over their insurance
Congregations are facing an insurance timebomb if they fail to properly protect deteriorating church buildings. The general trustees of the Kirk told the final day of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland yesterday that congregations must have assets revalued. It could add many thousands to budgets. Some congregations have been shocked as premiums [...]
Shake-up to give churches more freedom over finances
Radical plans to give individual presbyteries and congregations greater financial and administrative autonomy were approved by the Kirk’s General Assembly yesterday. The move was passed despite warnings from the Church of Scotland’s finance committee that it could have dire consequences for less affluent churches. There is a growing discontent among congregations that successful fundraising does [...]
Three quarters believe stealing from churches symptomatic of moral decline
A new survey by YouGov, commissioned by church insurer Ecclesiastical, has revealed that two thirds of the general public, regardless of whether they are Christian or attend church, would be concerned if their local church fell into disrepair. 40% feel that their local church is an important part of their community’s history and heritage – [...]
Church of Scotland mediators to quell disputes
The Church of Scotland will hire mediators to handle mutinous parishioners clashing with ministers over the interpretation of Christian doctrine. A third of the kirk’s 1,200 congregations are in squabbles between church-goers and ministers, says a report calling for independent “peace-makers” to be used to quell disputes. The report, by the kirk’s ministries council, says [...]
Charities and churches slam water charges
A petition is to be lodged with the Scottish Parliament by charities and churches opposed to the introduction of water charges in Scotland beyond 2010. The Rev Jock Stein, of the Church of Scotland’s Dunfermline Presbytery, will hand over 2300 signatures from charities, churches and individuals. He said: “As a national church we are extremely [...]
Kirk: Charity really does begin at home
For wealthy Kirk congregations such as St Mungo’s in Glasgow, fundraising is part of their Christian duty, writes Craig Brown. But the money raised does not directly benefit their parish; it goes to a central pot for redistribution. Successful fundraising means a larger contribution to other churches. Now the Kirk is considering radical reforms to [...]
Scottish churches rake in £150m fortune
Scotland’s main churches raked in more than £150 million in a single year, the Sunday Mail can reveal. The Church of Scotland – with 1400 congregations – raised more than £108 million and six of the eight Catholic dioceses brought in more than £38 million. The figures are available for the first time after a [...]
