THE world’s richest and largest Anglican diocese has lost more than $100 million on the sharemarket and is investigating ways to cut programs and ministries across Sydney.
Two years ago the Anglican diocese of Sydney was able to allocate $30 million to educate new ministers, spread the Gospel and reach out to young people. But returns from investments have plummeted so steeply that the funds available next year have been slashed to $5.6 million.
The cuts will probably jeopardise funding for places at the ministry training institution, Moore College – causing either lower student numbers or higher fees – and Youthworks, which recruits young people for mission work.
Sad to see … but I hope they get some of a bounce back when the markets come back up again, as they inevitably will.
It looks like Brisbane and Melbourne were caught too.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,,25618377-20142,00.html
I must say though, borrowing to invest in the stock market sounds a very high risk strategy … and one that would not normally be recommended. The gap between interest rates and stock market returns is called the “risk margin” for a very good and well proven reason.
I agree Margaret. Investing money already raised and then losing it in the downturn might be deemed a misfortune; borrowing money to invest and then losing it looks like carelessness. It would seem that godliness is no proof against poor financial planning. If I lived in Sydney I would not be happy about this outcome; one wonders if an apology is in order from those who made the decisions.
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