A Co Roscommon parish priest has said he regrets any embarrassment caused by publishing a list of contributions made towards a €275,000 new parochial house.
Fr Sean Neylon, of Taughmaconnell, found himself at the centre of controversy when a letter was sent out outlining what locals paid towards the house.
The donations ranged from €571 downwards, and the matter came to a head yesterday when the Athlone Voice reported local "fury" over the publication.
Fr Neylon said: "It was not the intention in communicating this information to upset or disturb anyone, and we regret any offence so caused".
He said the collection was taken up on behalf of Taughmaconnell Pastoral Council, and the house would remain in the total ownership of the parish.
"The house is a well-appointed, three-bedroom dormer bungalow. The total cost, including some work still to be completed, is €275,000.
"The former parochial house was sold some years ago to the retiring parish priest and realised €58,000. The parochial collection so far has brought in €121,000 - thus there is a shortfall of €95,000," Fr Neylon said.
"The parish pastoral council has kept the people fully informed about all aspects of the project. The decision to circulate names and amounts was agreed by all collectors and the council."
The published list is in three categories: households that had completed their contributions over the past three years, those that had begun theirs but not yet completed them, and those that had not started contributions but might wish to do so.
"We felt a responsibility to everybody in the parish to let them know exactly how much money came in, and where it was spent," Fr Neylon said.