does the catholic church have extraordinary wealth concealed?

Question

I read somewhere the church has an amazing amount of wealth, and that it is in not really understood by most people how much economic possession that it holds.
something like gold reserves, I'm not sure.

Is it true?

Answer 1

I don't think they do much to try to conceal it! Look at the activities, facilities, and general ornateness of the Roman Catholic church as your evidence. A little math calculating the number of tithing / giving / paying Roman Catholics worldwide and consider how little they pay clergy and the dollars add up (I doubt they use dollars, though).

Answer 2

Together, with the local, diocesan-associated Catholic Charities, Catholic Chrities USA is the second largest social service provider in the United States, surpassed only by the federal government. In 2008, Catholic Charities agencies served over 8 million individuals. Catholic Relief Services tprovides assistance to 130 million people in more than 90 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Helping the poor is a priority for the Catholic Church. The "wealth" of the Vatican is greatly misunderstood. In reality, the Vatican’s annual operating budget is about $260 million. For comparison - Harvard University has an annual operating budget of $1.3 billion. The pope does not live in luxury - he has modest quarters and does not have a lot of personal wealth. Priests already receive little income (the pope doesn't receive any income.) The "wealth" of the Vatican is in land, artwork, manuscripts - which belongs to the church as a whole not to the pope. And the purpose of the church is not just to help the poor - but to spread the Word of God and share Christ's teachings. Preserving the manuscripts that share with us the teachings of Christ and the artwork that speak to the glory of God - these are important ways to do that. And what would selling the land, artwork and manuscripts to private collectors really gain? There is a reason why societies value museums and libraries - they are not about collecting wealth but preserving knowledge and presenting inspiration. And even if it were possible to sell everything, the money wouldn't even begin to be a drop in the bucket in world poverty. What the pope and church leaders can do, is use their position to speak out against injustices int he world. Which they do. As the saying goes "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime." t

Answer 3

The Catholic Church possesses much wealth, but is does so as guardian of it, using income to provide for countless poor around the world.
Also, the treasurea are there then for us poor slobs. If the Vatican sold off all the treasures, it could feed the hungry of the world for about 20 minutes....and you and I would never be able to gaze upon the Pieta .

Answer 4

Well if it was concealed we wouldn't know now, would we? All we know for sure is that the Catholic Church provides far more basic human services to the needy of the world than all other churches combined. So whatever wealth it has is being put to good use.

Answer 5

Well, the Vatican lost 200 million dollars in the Roberto Calvi affair.

Answer 6

They hold a lot in assets. Many ancient Catholic treasures are now priceless. I don't know what they have in gold or hard currency.

Answer 7

It would never be enough to overcome the wealth of Jewish Synagogues

Answer 8

Most churched do..

In My opinion

they take up more then 1 offering each service

Answer 9

well theres an awful lot of gold in the cathedrals around the world, maybe thats what you're thinking of

Answer 10

Absolutely. It's been bleeding the poor people dry for centuries.