As the Irish RCC is funded by the public and dioceses are registered charities, the salaries of bishops and priests, and their employment perks should be in the public domain.
Irish priests salaries seem to come in at between 22,000 and 35,000 per annum, without expenses being included.
The priests of Clogher diocese, which straddles the border, seem to be the highest paid in the country.
In Armagh the priests get £ 2,200 per month, before and perks are added. That’s about £ 26.400.
Priests benefit from free housing, a private health scheme and a group car insurance scheme.
CAHAL DALY
In 1982 Cahal Daly told us priests that the cost of himself and two auxiliaries was £ 120,000 per annum.
Considering inflation that would be £ 470.732 today in 2022.
BISHOPS
No Irish bishop has ever revealed his annual salary.
Of course, while in office, the bishop has control over many millions.
I would guess that a bishops’ salary is 50,000 plus, and many perks and free access to expenses and funds.
Many an envelope is pushed into a bishops hand by devoted priests and laity – with a “to use at your own discretion, My Lord”.
When Diarmuid Martin, who loves to cook, came to Archbishop’s House in 2003 he spent € 50,000 on a new kitchen.
Today that represents € 72,899.
If a Bishop’s salary, before perks, is 50,000 then the Irish Church pays out € 1,300,000 per annum in bishops wages – and that does not cover the retired bishops.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 