Then on May 12, 2005 articles in both the Boston Globe and the New York Times disclosed that donations made by parishioners at the Christmas and Easter collections for the pension benefits of retired clergy had not been used exclusively for that purpose since 1986. There is credible evidence that the Archdiocese has diverted donations - you may have made - for purposes other than those you designated. Had they been used for the exclusive purpose of clergy retirement benefits, then we would not be facing the dire situation that we are in today. Similar concerns exist for the lay pension fund.

Numerous questions surrounded the original disclosure last year. How did this happen and who was responsible? When did this all start? Why were we being informed of this at the time parishes were closing and not before? Why didn’t the Archdiocese ask for help?

More troubling questions surround the recent disclosures. What were these collections used for if not their intended purpose? Where did this this money go? Additionally, the un-funded pension liability had increased to$70 million in less than one year - how could this accounting discrepancy have occurred? Why hasn’t the Archdiocese publicly provided a complete and independent financial accounting of the clergy pension funds, knowing that these grave concerns exist? Why isn’t the Archdiocese asking for help?

The Archdiocese has provided incomplete and ambiguous information. The drawn-out time frame of the disclosures - over one year - can be construed as an attempt to obscure the significance of them.

These disclosures - and lack of financial transparency - have only further eroded an already broken trust in the Archdiocese and its ability to address the both the financial and pastoral problems we face. This continues to demoralize Catholics, clergy and laity alike.

The time has come for answers - answers that the Archdiocese is not providing. Therefore, as concerned Catholics who care deeply about the future of the Catholic Church and who seek to take responsibility for it, we are asking the Attorney General to investigate these disclosures. Accountability will only come through truth and this is necessary so that trust can be restored, healing can begin, and the Church can grow again.

• Archdiocese defends use of pension trust funds, Boston Globe, June 9, 2005
• A lifeline for the church, Boston Globe, May 27, 2005
• Boston parishes rebuild, protest year after closing announcement, Catholic Online, May 26, 2005
• Suits argue churches owned by parishoners, Boston Globe, May 24, 2005
• Parishioners seek probe of priests' pension fund, Boston Globe, May 22, 2005 (PDF)
• 'Unbelievable' dealings$: Catholic group charges pension-fund abuses, Boston Herald, May 22, 2005 (PDF)
• Parishoners in Boston plan suit, New York Times, May 21, 2005 (PDF)
• Retirement changes eyed for priests, Boston Globe, May 12, 2005
• Boston Catholic Archdiocese may cut pension funds, New York Times, May 12, 2005
• Resistance widens to parish closings, Boston Globe, May 8, 2005
• Five parishes to keep vigils, April 11, 2005
• Boston torn by parish closings, Washington Post, November 16, 2004
• When Churches Close, Boston Globe, December 29, 2003