Catholics try new approach to get cash

LOUISVILLE (KY)
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville is giving parishioners options in a fund-raising effort outside of paying off its $25.7 million settlement from 240 sex-abuse lawsuits.

Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly and other church leaders say they recognize that some Catholics are angry about the church's handling of the abuse crisis. In response, and for the first time, donors can target specific charities or ministries for their contributions to the Catholic Services Appeal.

"We own up to the fact that we have just come through a terrible period where the church has had to face up to its weakness and failings with regard to the sexual abuse crisis," Kelly told about 200 Catholics in a Mass at St. Helen's Church in Shively last week.

"I am not here to ask you to replace the money in the settlement that we paid out."