Catholic experts? Can he do this?

Question

People can't afford to be Catholic!
This is the problem. Our church was run by the same priest for years. Eveyone Loved him, he was kind and was very concerned about the childrens Catholic education, especially since this chrch is in an urban low income setting with many immigrant famlies.
When he left a new priest came, but now he is charging money for everything.
To say Mass on Quinceneras he is charging 300 dollars, and 100 dollor per each alter boy. we used to just give what we could in donation or not pay at all.

Next he is charching 200 dollars for conformation class. I got it for free and whatever donations I could afford with the old priest. Now the children cannot afford to be confirmed,

and the class scheduale is ridiculous. Instead of just sundays he is expecting people to come on week days. People here are low income and even the teenagers work to contribute to the house hold.

We used to give what we could each sunday, now we get an envelope to take home, and you give a fixed anount every sunday. It's strictly volunteer, but those who do not do it are not thanked, or appreciated. Can he do this? I miss the old preist. I felt like he cared about the people, their situations. And Quincenieras are not extravagant here, we merely go to mass, and buy a white dress for the girls. Its terrible that mass must be taken out.

I do not know what the money is for? I did not ask. It could be for him, or the church. Another church member said he s using it o pay for school. I dont even know if its true. I just feel this is not fair to the families.

Hi newlycradlecatholic
I love my church and understand that priests are human. The old preist, he understood the people. The new one, he changed everything. People cannot afford to be cofirmed now, and that makes me upset at the individual. But the church, I know is good.

To be confirmed we maust atke conformation classes every other sunday for two years, and complete required volunteer hours. The classes were free, and donations, of what we could offord were given. Most people here get confirmed in their teens. I did mine at eighteen.

Answer 1

Wow, really? Does the Bishop know he is doing this?

Nobody can be denied any of the Sacraments for lack of $$. So the thing about charging $200 for confirmation is very concerning, unless he waives the fee for any kid that can't afford it. This is so serious, it should be reported to the Bishop at once.

Quinceneras, I'm afraid, are an optional, cultural celebration. I don't think there is any reason he can't set a reasonable fee for these, but it does seem high to me.

Regarding the class schedule for confirmation, that might be due to the fact that he is unaware that the teens are working for the household and not just earning fun money for themselves. Has anyone explained it to him?

Since the parish is situated in a low-income area, he may have inherited huge debts and is desperately trying to get the parish on its feet financially. The situation with the envelopes bears this out. It's not voluntary, but there is a definite push to help the parish out financially. As for whether or not people should be thanked -- what difference does that make? If you don't want your parish to close, give what you can afford to give and thank yourself and know that God thanks you.

You should find out where the money is going. Ask the priest! Perhaps you will agree with his goals and then you may also think of new ways to help him raise the money he needs.

My own parish is downtown and we have the same situation, but we don't have to pay for sacrament. First Communion for my son cost only $14 and whatever we wanted to spend on his clothing. Our school was almost $1 million in debt after 20 years of a priest letting many kids go for free, and our new priest has been trying very hard to raise money so we can keep the school open. It's very bad -- the classes are consolidating next year (3rd & 4th together, 5th & 6th together) and people are pulling their kids out. The whole school could close. We're doing everything we can to help with the fundraisers but not everybody is. Some people are giving up. And then where will our kids go to school? The other parish schools are full!

But back to your priest. It sounds like he needs some information from the parishioners and some counsel from the Chancery. The adults who are active in your parish should sit down with him and find out what is going on, what his goals are, and how they can help. They also need to inform him about the culture of the parish, how teens work to provide for the family and all of that. He's new -- can't expect him to know all this.

Answer 2

It can be difficult for a parish to accept a new pastor after the previous one was there for so long - especially when the new one has a different way of doing things.

Perhaps he has come from a well-to-do parish, where such charges are both common and easy for parishioners to afford. Or, perhaps this is his way of attempting to raise money for his low-income parish, although it does not sound as if it is the best way.

New pastors need time to get to know their parish, and vice versa. There is always some semblance of "upheavel" when a new pastor takes over especially after a long ternior of the previous one.

Prudence demands each party be patient and makes efforts to have a meating of the minds.

If, after a while, the parish and the new pastor are not "in sync" with each other, you can always worship at a different parish where you can afford to be Catholic.

Answer 3

It could be that the church is not making enough in donations to cover operating costs, and this is how the priest has decided to change things. However, it appears to be a poorly thought out decision if the result if the majority of people cannot participate. People should be able to attend mass if they want to and participate in Catholic activities irregardless of their economic status.

I would recommend encouraging people of the parish to speak with this priest and see if collectively something can be negotiated to make everyone happy. If he refuses to speak to you all about it, or will not make some concessions on the fees, then I recommend contacting the Bishop of the area. If that doesn't work, keep going up the hierarchy till you find someone who can help you.


I hope that helps.

Answer 4

I see no problem with the priest asking for a designated amount of money for certain ceremonies. I personally believe in Tithing and giving offerings. But many don't. OK, that's up to them.
Church is not a once a week thing. It is an everyday thing, when you can. Its called living the Christian life. If you work a lot then obviously you're not going to make it to church too much. Just use your common sense.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 5

My best recomendation is to write a letter to the Bishop about your concerns. If the priest is doing something wrong most likely the Bishop with do something about it. Also is there another Catholic church in your area you could attend instead? By the way I've never heard of any priest denying someone who wants to be Catholic the right to be conformed. Jesus was with the rejected and poor of society more that the rich. Good Luck with your troubles I hope I've helped.

Answer 6

First of all it seems many do not know the history of the church (Christian church).

For many years Pastors, Priests (what ever) did charge for the service, that was how they lived.

It did get out of hand and was slowed down and in some cases stopped (but not all)

It then went into "freewill offerings" for the service,

I remember when a groom would ask the Pastor "what is the charge for the wedding ceremony?" and the old Pastors would say to the NEW Husband...
"well just pay me what ever you think your wife is worth).

And for a Baptism "how much do I owe you?" "Well what ever you think your soul is worth".

Even today in the Asian countries (where I live now) it is common practice for the Pastor/Priest to charge for "Services", lessons, sermons, baptism, weddings, funerals, blessings, and so on.

I thank God that I have never taken any pay for any service I have ever provided, but some do.

Answer 7

It is customary in most parishes to make an extra offering for special services specific to a particular family like a wedding, etc., but these offerings are usually voluntary and no amount is specified.

And please don't make this a generalization about the Catholic Church. This is one priest in one parish who is obviously not following the policy of the archdiocese. He should be reprimanded. Priests are human - not perfect - and some are better than others.

Answer 8

That is definately out of line, it doesnt even matter which denomination he's from. A Priest justn't have the juristiction to charge people money for services, he is there to help bring people to God. The only people who can set prices are those who deal with the money in the Church.

Answer 9

Nail him! This is totally against Church policy. Ask the secretary for a number to contact your local diosece and report his abuse.

This is exactly the kind of corruption that led to the reformation.

Answer 10

No that is wrong. Notify the bishop for your parish or the diocese