Why does'nt the Catholic church divest itself of its wealth and give it to the poor of this world ?

Question

where does it say Jesus said make as much money as you can and live in luxury like the Vatican for instance.

Not just the vatican that was an example.. it is all the material wealth aquired over the yrs
Oil corps pay taxes.. they give you gas etc..
Why does it cost money to save your soul?

so what some of you are saying is that God needs us to go to churches and keep all the wealth ? isn't He everywhere ? why all the bldgs?all the ornamentation, what ever happened to the sackcloth and ashes mentality, Why would you refer me to a catholic site, do you believe everything that is printed. Explain the Inquisition, the massacre of the Cathars al in the name of catholicism.

allen t... how do you no what I have or haven't done?what a lovely nature u have.... go in peace

Answer 1

It's a business!! Don't tell anyone though, they are still saying they are not so they don't have to pay taxes!!!

Answer 2

The Church has the "wealth" it has because of generous charitable donations made by Catholics on a weekly basis. Where is the justice in the Church turning away such generous donations?

Also, the Church has been the recipient of many fine - and priceless - gifts. These were given to the Church, with the understanding the Church would keep these artifacts. The Church shares these gifts to the world....Ever been to the Vatican Museum?

Don't overlook the fact Catholic Charities helps more needy people than any other single charity in the world.

Still, if you feel the Church needs to be taught a lesson, perhaps you can lead by example: Give away all of your treasured possessions, just as you think the Church should give away it's possessions and donate the money to the poor and needy.

Do so, and you will gain credibility. Don't do, and you risk flirting with hypocrisy.

ADDITION: The Church, like any other organization, needs money in order to function. Architects must be paid to design Churches, contractors are paid to build them. The parish needs to finance the maintenance of the building, pay for repairs, pay utility bills, etc.

All that, and more, requires money. Much of it comes from the voluntary donations of Catholic parishioners. There is nothing wrong with this.

Answer 3

together, with the close by, diocesan-linked Catholic Charities, Catholic Chrities us of a is the 2nd greatest social provider provider interior the united states, surpassed in trouble-free terms via the federal government. In 2008, Catholic Charities agencies served over 8 million persons. Catholic alleviation amenities tprovides counsel to a hundred thirty million human beings in extra suitable than ninety worldwide places and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin united statesa., the middle East and eastern Europe. assisting the poor is a concern for the Catholic Church. The "wealth" of the Vatican is a great deal misunderstood. rather, the Vatican’s annual working budget is approximately $260 million. For assessment - Harvard college has an annual working budget of $one million.3 billion. The pope does not stay in luxurious - he has modest quarters and does not have extremely some very own wealth. priests already acquire little income (the pope does not acquire any income.) The "wealth" of the Vatican is in land, artwork, manuscripts - which belongs to the church as an entire to no longer the pope. And the objective of the church isn't in trouble-free terms to assist the poor - yet to unfold the word of God and share Christ's teachings. conserving the manuscripts that share with us the classes of Christ and the artwork that talk to the huge difference of God - those are significant the thank you to do this. And what might merchandising the land, artwork and manuscripts to non-public creditors rather income? there's a explanation why societies fee museums and libraries - they do no longer seem to be approximately amassing wealth yet conserving expertise and providing suggestion. and in spite of if it have been available to sell each little thing, the money does no longer even start to be a drop interior the bucket in worldwide poverty. What the pope and church leaders can do, is stumble on their place to communicate out against injustices int he worldwide. Which they do. because of fact the asserting is going "supply a guy a fish, he eats for an afternoon. practice a guy to fish he eats for a life-time." t

Answer 4

that's basically the same thing Judas said when Mary broke the container of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus feet. Well we know about Judas don't we? The poor we will always have with us and the majority of the poor are poor because of their own doing.

The Catholic Church is the largest Charity organization in the world and gives more money than anyone else. Why aren't you asking these questions of the Mormons who are far richer than the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has alot of stuff yes but, it is the history of the Church and everybody has a right to their history.

Answer 5

Because the Catholic Church never has been about following toe teachings of the Bible. Long ago they replaced the Bible and its authority with the authority of the Pope. Therefore the teachings of the real Jesus have little bearing on the Catholic Church. Please note that they still have Him on the Cross. If the story had ended there He would have been nothing. But it does not end there. Jesus is not on the Cross He rose from the dead. Because He is God!

Answer 6

Let me answer your question with a question in defense of the Catholic Church. And no, I am not Catholic.
Last quarter the oil industry made astronomical profits. Why not condemn them for their greed.
Last quarter the banking industry made big money on loans and fees and high to extreme high interest rates. Why not go after them for their extreme gross profits. After all, they also lend money to the poor countries but that we in the USA must guarantee. We as in the taxpayers.
Instead of condemning the Catholic Church what we need is a new morality for this world. One that teaches and universally accepted, that greed is wrong. One that helps the poor without creating a welfare state. One thing I've learned of the welfare state. Achievement is punished and failures are rewarded.

Answer 7

I've wondered this all of my life. I was baptized and raised Catholic and I always wondered why they didnt use some of their money to help the poor people in the parish. I've stopped attending Catholic services because I just dont understand all of that wealth and so many hungry Catholics.
I now attend a church that takes care of it's parish. They have youth programs and they help the homeless get shelter and jobs. That's my idea of what a church is all about.

Answer 8

I'm not a Catholic, but know that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. I would have to take a long hard look at myself before I start questioning how others handle that which God has given them. We will all have to give an accounting one day.
JAS

Answer 9

I'll show you why and challenge you to be better than those you accuse.
Go to christforasia.com and feed a starving homeless orphaned child. Come on dig into the money bag. How easy is it to give your money to the poor even though Jesus commanded it.
Better yet start a cause to raise money or send clothing to these kids.
In other words put your money where your mouth is.

Answer 10

Your question reminds me of a certain Bible passage:
When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head.
There were some who were indignant. "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor." They were infuriated with her.
Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14: 3-9)

Most of the "wealth" you speak of consists of priceless art, all of it glorifying God. This art is shown to the public, for all to enjoy.
Also, before the advent of widespread literacy, church art helped people recall the stories and teaches of the Bible.

One may rightly question the decision of hundreds of years ago to spend the money on commissioning these works, but not their continued place in the Vatican. As another said, "would you have the Louve sell the Mona Lisa?"

As it stands now, the Catholic Church is the largest single provider of Human Services in the world. It was also the sole provider of Human Services in Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the modern era.

I refer you to Catholic Charities USA for additional information:
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

Answer 11

All churches exist to extract $ out of the duped and into the hands of the con artists that run the church.

So why are you picking on just the Catholics?

Stop giving $ to these charlatans and join the 21st century!