Vatican budget in the black again

VATICAN CITY – For the first time in years, the Roman Catholic Church's finances are looking somewhat healthy again. The Vatican's central administration, the Holy See, and the tiny Vatican city state in the heart of Rome both reported budget surpluses in 2004, the Holy See said on Saturday.

...Some Catholics have fretted in the past over a perceived fall in generosity in the United States following the clergy sex abuse scandals that emerged under John Paul II's papacy.

The good news is, the Vatican's in the black (and should stay that way, what with German efficency and all!). The bad news is, the media can't just say that, it's got to phrase it in such a way so as to make sure everyone knows that it really doesn't mean anything, since Americans are afraid of contributing because of the sex abuse scandal and all (doncha know?).

Sigh.

Vatican back in black, even as offerings fall