BOSTON -- Archbishop Sean O'Malley Monday declared that things are beginning to look brighter for the Archdiocese of Boston after some lean years when angry parishioners cut back on their donations because of the priest sex abuse scandal.

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Amalia Barreda Reports On Appeal

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that the archbishop kicked off the annual Catholic Appeal, which funds more than 80 programs. Those programs help tens of thousands of people across the archdiocese.

It was an optimistic O'Malley who launched the annual fundraising campaign. In the aftermath of the priest sex abuse scandal, the numbers tell the story. The archbishop says more than 20 percent of those parishioners who had closed their wallets because of the scandal have re-opened them.

"The numbers have been increasing each year and to us this is a very hopeful sign," O'Malley said.

In 2003, the Catholic appeal surpassed its goal of $9 million and raised more than $10 million. Last year, the goal of $10.5 million was surpassed again when the appeal took in $11 million. This year, the goal is $12 million.

Craig and Nancy Gibson are Catholics who believe the archdiocese has weathered the storm.

"The abuse scandal is behind us. Reconfiguration is largely behind us. And now, maybe there's an opportunity to really take a look at the mission and the ministries of the church," Craig Gibson said.

Aside from forgiving parishioners, there are also the extraordinary recent events out of the Vatican affecting the church worldwide -- the death of the very popular Pope John Paul the II and the election of Benedict XVI.

"I hope that that feeling will stay with us, not only to help our fundraising," O'Malley said. "The Holy Father's death and funeral helped all of us to catch a glimpse of the Catholicity of the church and I'm hoping that it will help to stretch all of our hearts."

Letters launching the Catholic appeal will go out to every parish in the archdiocese this weekend. The appeal will run until the end of the year.