The Economist on the American Catholic Church’s Finances
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The Catholic church is as big as any company in America. Bankruptcy cases have shed some light on its finances and their mismanagement.
Of all the organizations that serve America’s poor, few do more good work than the Catholic church: its schools and hospitals provide a lifeline for millions. Yet even taking these virtues into account, the finances of the Catholic church in America are an unholy mess. The sins involved in its book-keeping are not as vivid or grotesque as those on display in the various sexual-abuse cases that have cost the American church more than $3 billion so far; but the financial mismanagement and questionable business practices would have seen widespread resignations at the top of any other public institution.
The sexual-abuse scandals of the past 20 years have brought shame to the church around the world. In America they have also brought financial strains. By studying court documents in bankruptcy cases, examining public records, requesting documents from local, state and federal governments, as well as talking to priests and bishops confidentially, The Economist has sought to quantify the damage. [more]
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16 Comments
The first schools in the United States were Catholic Schools. They were open to all. Then the “public” schools rose up in competition. The public schools were and are funded with tax dollars from all, including Catholics who choose to send their children to Catholic schools. Wouldn’t it be a blessing if this “public” bigotry against the Catholic schools was eliminated, or at least greatly diminished?
I don’t understand how funding secular public schools with tax money is bigoted. Please explain. Why should Catholic parents get out of funding their public school? What if everybody who sent their kid to private school didn’t have to fund their local public school? Do you think the funding would increase or decrease for the public school?
As the Catholic church in American gets smaller as we old timers die off and there is not the numbers to replace us. As we see that 70% of catholics are Catholics in name only and are not financially supporting the church, schools and churchs are being soled off. A Catholic school in my area was just soled to Orthodox Jews.the church is being torn dowm. In twenty five years from now, mass will be celebrated on top of the Chinese restaurant once a month. On the way home you can get a few egg roles.
If the bishops were more pastoral, kinder, more, gentle and more inviting, in the manner of Blessed Pope John XXIII, the people, and the priest would be more energized and our numbers will grow.
There is an old Italian saying that fish stinks from the head down, the power hungry controlling bishops that we now have stink and the church is going down.
Perhaps if the average Catholic lived out their faith in the market place, we would attract others, who would join our ranks. They will know we are Christians by our Love of others.
Certainly true, Catholic Lady, but — the people to whom we witness also must have hearts receptive to the truth. So, Christians cannot accept all of the responsiblity for the size of the Church.
True, Jim; but using this same precept one cannot put the blame on the Bishops and the Parish Priests for the church not growing. (see Tony’s comment)
I agree, Catholic Lady — and, you probably know, I typically disagree with Tony, as I do here (although I don’t ALWAYS disagre with him).
Jim, while I was at prayer today I particularly prayed for you on this the memorial of Pius X. His motto to restore all things in Christ seems just right for you.
Thanks much for those prayers, Tony — you’re a good guy. I will be at Adoration shortly, and I am now asking God to include you and your family in the graces I will receive at Adoration.
Tony, I am sure that Jim is thankful for your prayers. Saint Pius X came from a humble Catholic Family – and after his fathers death his mother insisted that he continue his education and fulfill his desire to become a priest. God must have been happy with this faithful Catholic mother. What an example she is for us ladys.
Catholic Lady — I ask God to share the graces I will receive at Adoration tonight with you and for the repose of the soul of your husband, and for any children you may have. I am glad you post here.
Thank you, Jim.
“Cardinal Dolan and other New York bishops are spending a substantial amount . . . on lobbying the state assembly to keep the current statute of limitations in place.”
Is there a statute of limitations on punishment for sin?
The people in the pews should be outraged that their Sunday contributions are being used for lobbying.
Huh, pretty sure direct lobbying conflicts directly with their IRS 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization status. It would be great if they would lose that status because they lobbied – keeping religion and politics separate in the US is one of the unique aspects that has helped its legal system tremendously since its inception.
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (The Ronald Reagan code), religious entities, including the Roman Catholic church, are supposed to be self-regulating. That is, they are expected to provide a degree of “transparency” that enables the membership to do internally what the IRS would have to do externally by way of oversight, correction and etc. Problem is that the system doesn’t work, as the RC church’s current Known problems so graphically demonstrate.