When you donate your money to the Catholic church,do you realize you are paying to cover up crimes?

Question

I just noticed, the Catholic church has paid a very large amount of money again to pay for sexual child abuse. Hush Money . Do you as Catholics have no conscience? I would like for someone to start a fund to punish these priests. Build a new prison. Donate your money to pay for the poor people without hospitalization. You should have a say in that money you give or stop giving it.

Answer 1

>>Hush Money<<

How can it be "hush money" if you know about it?

>>You should have a say in that money you give or stop giving it.<<

We do have a say:
"Offerings given by the faithful for a certain purpose can be applied only for that same purpose." (Can. 1267.3)

Answer 2

There is no one more knowledgeable than an outsider. With your superior vantage point, you have no doubt determined that all priests are child abusers and only Catholic priests are abusers. And of course the money all goes for "hush money", and likely always has.

As a Catholic, I am aware of the terrible mismanagement of episcopal authority and oversight over the past several decades. But EVERY public ministry, religious and secular, suffers from the opportunism of predators who take advantage of others working in an atmosphere of trust. For years, bishops naively followed the Christian model of compassion, redemption and healing when dealing with reports of abuse, completely misunderstanding the nature of sexual abuse. (They thought that moving the priest removed the temptation.) Victims were slow and uncertain in reporting allegations because of the trauma of abuse by a respected authority. The problem grew because people either didn't know or couldn't believe it was possible.

Occasionally, the most egregious offenders were forced out of the ministry, but a critical mass had to be reached. Once enough victims came forward, they found a public voice and the hierarchy began to recognize a systemic problem, not the abuse itself but the Church's response. They had to repair the human damage done as best they could, develop policies that would deal effectively with potential abuse, and if possible, try to salvage the Church's reputation.

By then, civil lawyers were involved, and the bishops found that things no longer worked as they thought. Reconciliation and reclamation were out, damage awards and court orders were in. But priests don't make big money. And lawyers did what lawyers do, go for the deep pockets. Bishops were unprepared for the type of lawsuit that a commercial corporation might expect. There was no "legal defense fund". And the bishops never imagined the types of financial questions they would have to find answers for.

Diocesan assets were assessed and lawyers argued over who owned what. Did parishes own their own property or were they diocesan assets? This is the point where rank and file Catholics got involved, nervous at the prospect of their churches being sold or dismantled from under them. No way would they support paying for the sins of predator priests! (especially the parishes that never had an abuse problem)

But damage had been done, and the only remedy was money. Which money? The priest retirement fund? The staff and utility funds for the high school? The retreat house? The Chancery? Catholic Charities? The Chore Service? It was illegal to transfer funds between budgets, just as it is in any other institution.

One diocese sold its chancery (they must rent office space now), the bishop's house, and several other buildings and undeveloped property for future parishes. It's still not enough. They want to do right by the victims. But they don't have the wherewithal to satisfy the lawyers' demands. They are now faced with the unattractive prospect of asking Catholics for donations specifically for the settlement. It will be a hard sell.

Calling a settlement "hush money" is a cheap shot. Settlements are agreements between all parties involved. They end the suit at whatever point the parties can agree on. I know the bishop I've been describing. He didn't run or hide. He is a scrupulous, dedicated man who foolishly misjudged a problem as it was developing, just like many other administrators have done. He is trying his best to satisfy legal obligations and run an operating diocese at the same time. Thousands of people depend on him, employees and believers, to keep the Church alive in their area.

It's easy to want "someone to start a fund" to punish all the "bad guys", lock them away to rot (some bishops included). But the legal system doesn't work that way. If you're serious about dealing with the real problems, join SNAP, or start donating to that poor people's medical fund you mentioned. Just don't use the scandal as a cheap opportunity to bash Catholics. I suggest you keep order in your own house.

Answer 3

The money the parishioners give at church is never put in a fund to pay lawyers for any problems that arise in the church.This money goes to help the poor and the ones in need. With the Catholic Church, The needy may not even BE Catholic yet they are all Gods people and if they come for help, I have never known of them to be turned away. Granted some of the Priests were led astray but they will be taken care of. God Judges and man only gives has opinion. If man puts a priest in jail, it is our God who has the final say.

Answer 4

It's not "hush money", but reparations; something that many protestant churches have failed to do.

Give it a rest. When you find any church with clergy free from crime or sin I'll say that it's better than the Catholic church. As yet, there is none. In the United States, from the times of the Puritans on, there has been crime and murder and child abuse in all denominations. The only difference is that it's more shocking in when it happens with a priest. If it's more common among Catholics than other denominations, that's simply because there are far more Catholic clergy than any other denomination.

Take the log out of your own eye before trying to clear another's. Get rid of the evil in your own faith before picking on another.

BTW... I'm not Catholic or Christian. I'm just sick of the bickering and name calling when all religions have their criminals and hateful people.

Answer 5

Yes the Catholic church has had an infestation of homosexual pedophiles in the past 50 years. But let me tell you something - Catholics are not tolerating it anymore, and soon the "problem" will be extinguised. What we good Catholics realize it that the religion of Christianity is great no matter how bad the apples are that are in charge. It's like what I hope you guys think about America and Bush. Do you really think America is bad because you think Bush is bad?

Answer 6

Any donation is like that unfortunately; alot of the aide donated to Africa in the past has helped prolong civil wars and fund dictators' lifestyles.

Answer 7

This question is not only offensive, but rhetorical. Did you put this here simply to upset people? There was only one case in which a priest, Connell of Dublin, allegedly paid off a victim, however he was proven innocent in court.
I can understand your outrage at these scandals, however no religion has been left unstained. Please do more research before you slander someone's beliefs.

Answer 8

Where do I send money to pay for punishing the priests?

Answer 9

I don't donate to the Catholic church.

Answer 10

Have you noticed the only difference between Michael Jackson and a Priest is Mike went to court.