Boston Archdiocese changes finance model

 The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is changing the way it collects money from parishes in an effort to make the process more fair.

Thirty-three parishes are participating in the new process for the fiscal year that began July 1 in which 18 percent of parish revenues, including collections, will go to the archdiocese. All parishes will go to the new system next year.

The process replaces what some officials call a confusing and unfair system in which some parishes contribute as little as 2 percent of their income, while others contribute as much as 35 percent.

Church officials say just over half of parishes are already exceeding or meeting the archdiocese's new expectations, but about 46 percent will have to step up their fund-raising.