Bankruptcy

[sacristan1]

Is it possible for someone to file bankruptcy and still participate in their ministries in the Church or must they resign. This family is very active in the church and because of the economic crisis they are in a position where they may need to file bankruptcy due to loss of employment. How does the church view this and can they continue in their ministries. I would like something the church has put in writing on this subject if possible. Thanks.

 

[JimG]

I can’t think of any reason why a bankruptcy filing would affect what one does for the parish. The two are unrelated.

 

[puzzleannie]

Is it possible for someone to file bankruptcy and still participate in their ministries in the Church or must they resign. This family is very active in the church and because of the economic crisis they are in a position where they may need to file bankruptcy due to loss of employment. How does the church view this and can they continue in their ministries. I would like something the church has put in writing on this subject if possible. Thanks.

I never heard of anything on this topic, why would the church have any policy at all? financial stability is not a requirement for lay ministry. why would anyone in the parish have knowledge of their private business in the first place?

 

[baltobetsy]

Are you thinking that bankruptcy is somehow sinful, defrauding creditors of their due, and therefore the person should not be permitted to serve?

Falling victim to terrible economic conditions such as we have today does not constitute fraud or any kind of sin. I would think the only time bankruptcy would be sinful would be if a person deliberately ran up huge debts with the intention of declaring bankruptcy and never paying anything. Most people are forced into it as a last resort, certainly not doing it with the freedom required for a serious sin.

And as puzzleannie said, family finances are nobody else’s business.

Betsy

 

[sacristan1]

No, I am thinking just the opposite. I don’t think it is a sin nor do I think it is a reason to leave the ministry and have tried to convey that to them even suggesting they speak with their Pastor. They are too embarrassed by their situation and do not want anyone else to know, that is why I am writing to the great minds of this forum and with your permission I would like to print this and show it to them so they will stay where God has put them and not be afraid or embarrassed and like you said, no one need know…they should just continue on and let God lead them through this and stay in their ministries. They are greatly needed by their parish. It is no one’s business and they need not tell anyone if they choose not to. I only suggested speaking with the Pastor who I am sure would console them and advise them as you have.

Thank you all so very much. I will pass this on and this will give them another opinion besides mine to go on. Please also keep them in your prayers that they will be open to accepting some assistance if not through their own parish, perhaps through the parish I belong to.

 

[Joannm]

There are diocese in this country that have filed for bankruptcy…it happens…in the case of these diocese it occured because of abuse of minors. In your friend’s case it sound like a result of the economic crisis. Many, many people are forced to file bankruptcy to protect themselves and their families. If the diocese can claim bankruptcy and still continue to minister to the people of their diocese then why not the ordinary parishioner.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

They are beloved members of the Body of Christ regardless of their financial situation. Christ has a special love for the poor. And they will need to stay firmly connected to the Church to sustain them spiritually in difficult times. They should not even think of leaving their ministries for this reason.

 

[MusicMan]

Clearly they must resign. How could their hands, tainted by fiscal mismanagement, be fit to touch the Holy Books or the Blessed Sacrament?



(Yes, this post is oozing with Sarcasm, and NO, I don’t actually mean what I said above!)

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Unless the individual in question is the administrator of parish finances I can’t see how this would matter to the pastor in any way shape or form.