Boston Diocese looks at priest pensions

BRAINTREE, Mass.—The Roman Catholic Boston Archdiocese is taking steps to reform its financially shaky clergy pension system before it runs out of money.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley has mailed a letter to all priests that says sick clergy will receive only 60 percent of their stipend, in addition to health care coverage, if on health leave.

The Boston Globe reports that some priests will be required to submit medical and tax documents to the archdiocese to “demonstrate need.“

The policy also requires priests on health leave for more than six months to seek state and federal government assistance.

An archdiocese financial report recently described the clergy pension fund as “our largest liability” because it is underfunded by $114 million will run out of money in 2011.