Friday, August 20, 2004
Church rolling in money
The bishop explained that organizers had planned to collect offerings from pilgrims as they entered the shrine, to help defer costs for the papal visit. But a last-minute rush for seats left no time for the collection, he said. "We thought it would be very slow, like at airport security controls, and we'd have the time to explain to people that they should give a little bit," Bishop Perrier told he Europe 1 network. "But there was no waiting time and people got in as quickly as possible to get a good seat."
Collections at the Sunday Mass amounted to just $220,000-- barely over $1 for each member of the congregation-- the bishop reported. The overall budget for the Pope's visit was nearly $1.5 million.
Bishop Perrier said that he is confident that more contributions will be forthcoming, and "people will be generous" to make up the budget shortfall.
Collections at the Sunday Mass amounted to just $220,000-- barely over $1 for each member of the congregation-- the bishop reported. The overall budget for the Pope's visit was nearly $1.5 million.
Bishop Perrier said that he is confident that more contributions will be forthcoming, and "people will be generous" to make up the budget shortfall.
