Bishop drives a BMW?

Question

The local Catholic Bishop drives a 5 series BMW. Can some Catholic here please defend/explain the reason for this, as couldn't he sell it, drive a smaller car and give the money to the poor like Jesus would have asked?

I seemed have to touched a nerve with some Catholic, how anyone can excuse it is beyond me.

Answer 1

Its not an isolated case. Here where I live in the Philippines the nuns and priests (small case on purpose) drive new cars, take the airplane, and have pictures taken of themselves playing the slot machines at the casino while their parishioners dress in rags and take public transportation. So much for a vow of poverty. Mother Teresa is rolling over in her grave.

Answer 2

He could sell it and drive a smaller car and give the money to the poor, of course.

I don't know anything about cars, but I do know that a lot of people have a weakness for flashy vehicles. This bishop may be one of them -- he's only human, of course. He has weaknesses just like you or I do.

Also, it might be a gift, or a local auto dealership might provide leases on vehicles as part of their donation to the Church. In either case, the bishop wouldn't have a say about what he got.

Another thought occurs to me -- I have learned over the years that buying cheap stuff, especially when it comes to houses, major appliances, etc., that you need to take a lot of use, is usually not worth it. In other words, it's better to spend $1,000 on the washing machine that saves water and energy and lasts for 25 years than it is to spend $350 every 5 years on a washing machine that is going to use more water and energy. See, in the long run, the extravagant $1,000 washing machine is actually a whole lot cheaper to own and use. So, is it possible that the BMW is a car that can take lots of driving, as a Bishop does, and last for 400,000 or more miles, making it much more cost-effective than, say, a cheap Ford that will give up the ghost at 166,000 miles?

Anyway, I don't know your bishop, so I can't possibly comment on why he drives a BMW. Ours drives a Chevy.

REGARDING THE VOW OF POVERTY cited by a person above. Diocesan priests don't take vows of poverty. They only take vows of charity, humility and obedience. It is only the priests of various religious orders (i.e., Franciscans, etc.) who take vows of poverty.

Answer 3

Believe it or not, some people actually like to drive sporty cars ... even bishops ... and the monthly lease on a 5 series BMW doesn't cost much more than a Chevy or a Buick.

Get a life!

Answer 4

Might as well. The money that the parrish is taking in must be good, the mortgage is paid off and he can get it taxfree.

Why not enjoy the benefits of faithful tithes.

Answer 5

I don't think their is any need to be so flashy or showy. But than again as a Christian who am I too judge. His treasures or convictions will lie in wait at the proverbial gates. The Lord knows his heart.

Answer 6

venice huh? vicenza here. but yea catholics haha. He has that bmw because he only cares about himself and the catholic money system.

Answer 7

BMW? Smart man. Or do you think he should drive American?

Anyway, the Bro' is 'getten' PAID!

Answer 8

so how long did it take you to realize that the church is a huge scam? me i was about 10 or so id say. ill give you a good example pat robertson here in virginia beach virginia. homeless people get run out of his church he drives very nice cars lives in a multi million dollor home all on the church all tax free.and because god wants him to....

Answer 9

It's your money that put into it! Jesus never owned anything or had any money.

Answer 10

good for him...how do you know that he doesnt give money to the poor? Perhaps he worked hard and earned money and bought himself something nice.