Financial crisis affecting Church too - bishop

MANILA, Philippines - Even the Catholic Church is affected by the global financial crisis. At least in Pangasinan. Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz said that in his diocese alone, collection has dropped by 40 percent despite the 20-percent increase in the number of churchgoers. “Here, we noted a 40-percent decline because the people are also trying to save. But they also try to give whatever they can,” said Cruz over Catholic-run Radio Veritas 846 Monday. Church collection, however, differs from one place to another, he said. “It depends on the area. If those under a particular church or parish are well off then their contributions are bigger compared to other churches like those in Tondo,” Cruz said. Cruz, however, was not surprised with the 20-percent increase in the number of churchgoers especially during the nine-day Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass), saying such scenario is common especially during difficult times. “Whenever life is hard and the people are struggling, you’ll see more people going to the Church. And since life is hard for the people, their donations are also very little,” said Cruz. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, for his part, also attributed the increase in churchgoers to the Filipino people’s love and faith in God. “In the heart of the Filipino there is a love for God, faith in God. There’s this longing to be with him… asking for help. These are the things that we could no longer remove from Filipinos,” said Rosales in a separate interview with Veritas. - GMANews.TV