W
WilT
Guest
Most homeless are afraid and grateful to those that offer them what they need. Rarely does one of them attack a donor. I’ve noticed some rules set out by law enforcements can be directed against the homeless depending upon the Chiefs and even the cities councilperson. A lot of rules and laws are more interested in pleasing those few who “hate” the homeless person and what they represent; poverty. A lot of the responsibility to serve the homeless and poor are given to each parish in my last 2 diocese. In 2 parish’s parish personnel the office ladies are exaggerated in their fears and often close the doors to the poor and homeless even if they are parishioners. The Catholic Church is never the problem, it’s usually the well meaning Catholics which have personal issues that prevent them from being charitable and solid CatholicsI once worked right in the center of downtown in a large US city. Beggars were everywhere - wheelchairs, signs, shabby clothes, jangling cups, all that. They were most visible, it seemed, at lunchtime and before/after regular business hours. How could anyone turn a cold eye and walk past all that poverty? How can one know if a person is legitimately in need? And who of us can rightly judge that legitimacy?
Unfortunately, some of them became aggressive and scary. Then, there was the news about a man who had refused a beggar and got stabbed. We were advised (I believe by the police department via the security personnel in our building) that we should not give directly to the beggars, but to the mission houses instead.
I worry about posting this because, obviously, while not all those “in need” truly are, those that are don’t live structured lives. So getting themselves to a mission at the moment they need money may be a ridiculous thing to expect of them. And how humiliating it must be to have to justify to someone your sad situation in exchange for a buck. Cash money, given on the spot, is still the most liquid asset we can offer to someone in need (whatever that need might be). Although, I do like posters’ suggestions to simply ask, What do you need?
As far as the OP goes, I have to ask: Doesn’t a priest’s first responsibility go toward his parish? Maybe their safety in this case? I’m sure that he is aware of how charitable acts are performed in structured manner as with the myriad works the Catholic Church does (and has done) to serve humanity in so many ways throughout the years and throughout the world.
Nevertheless, I can respect the OP’s discomfort with this. (Matthew 25:35-40)
Alas, I am not an expert on any of this. I cannot look into anyone’s mind or heart - the priest, the OP, or anyone who gives or receives. I can only ask: What would Jesus do? Okay, Jesus would know their heart. So, what would Mother Theresa do? Hmm, I’m really warming up to the idea of simply asking what is needed.
God bless~
