The Cleveland Catholic Diocese -- which also covers Akron Catholic churches -- is reporting it's finances for the past year, including $7.4 million dollars distributed to parishes from the painful and sometimes controversial closing or merging of local churches. The Diocese report also notes $2.4 million dollars added to the Parish Assistance Fund for those local churches still suffering from "financial hardship or unexpected needs."

Overall, the report says collections from local congregations are stable despite economic problems in northeast Ohio's eight counties governed by the Diocese. The report will be included in local parish bulletins this weekend.

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The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has released its “Report to the Community 2012.” This is the ninth consecutive year that the report has been published for the purposes of accountability and transparency related to the financial workings of the Catholic Church in the eight counties which comprise the Diocese.

The four page report is to be included in every parish bulletin the weekend of November 17-18th.

The Diocese reports that offertory collections continue to be stable despite the economic challenges that exist in Northeast Ohio.

Diocese Chief Financial Officer, James Gulick noted that, “During the past few years, the Diocese underwent a reconfiguration that resulted in the closing or merging of selected parishes. As a result of the subsequent property sales, a total of $7.4 million has now been distributed to parishes in the Diocese, and $2.4 million has been contributed to the Parish Assistance Fund which will be used solely for the benefit of Diocesan parishes suffering from financial hardship or unexpected needs that are beyond their financials means.”

More specific financial data can be found at this link.

The report also highlights the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Cleveland. Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of the Cleveland, cites the extraordinary efforts of Catholic Charities serving others. Examples of the programs serving the eight counties of the Diocese in 2012 include 3.4 million meals served through the Catholic Hunger and Shelter Network and 276,710 persons served by Catholic Charities Health and Human Services.