Canon 1262

[CrossofChrist]

This is about a Vatican rule so I believe this is the correct forum…

Anyway, here’s what the canon in question says:The faithful are to give support to the Church by responding to appeals and according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops.

Does this mean lay people are to give money to every appeal made (I know some (all?) dioceses have a “Catholic services appeal”, to use one example)? or does this mean Catholics are to support the Church in general (e.g john smith already donates 25% of his income to his local parish) and appeals are just given as an example–and in no way obligatory–of a way to do so? Or something in between where in general Catholics should respond to specific appeals but they don’t have to every time?

 

[dans0622]

… the canon in question says:The faithful are to give support to the Church by responding to appeals and according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops.

Does this mean lay people are to give money to every appeal made (I know some (all?) dioceses have a “Catholic services appeal”, to use one example)? or does this mean Catholics are to support the Church in general (e.g john smith already donates 25% of his income to his local parish) and appeals are just given as an example–and in no way obligatory–of a way to do so? Or something in between where in general Catholics should respond to specific appeals but they don’t have to every time? …

Hello,

The more fundamental canon is 222: everyone is obliged to provide for the needs of the Church. The law does not get into specifics as to how that obligation is to be met by each person: “respond” indicates some action but not specifically. If a person can give to an appeal, he should. If he can’t, he can’t. I don’t think anyone would fault John Smith for not giving $5 to the roof repair appeal when he already gave $5000 to the general collection, and only makes $20,000 a year.

Dan

 

[CrossofChrist]

Bump…any more thoughts?

 

[Elizium23]

You got a good reasoned reply from an actual Canon Lawyer. What more could you ask for? The law really isn’t going to be that precise or demanding. Provide for the needs of the Church. This is more than merely ecclesial law, this is one of the Precepts of the Church and doctrinally infallible. Ask your pastor or spiritual director or confessor if you need more direction than this. Naturally, one of them might have a conflict of interest if he stands to gain financially from your decision. But everyone’s finances are a matter of personal discretion, so I would let your well-formed conscience be your best guide in this respect.

 

[CrossofChrist]

You got a good reasoned reply from an actual Canon Lawyer. What more could you ask for? The law really isn’t going to be that precise or demanding. Provide for the needs of the Church. This is more than merely ecclesial law, this is one of the Precepts of the Church and doctrinally infallible. Ask your pastor or spiritual director or confessor if you need more direction than this. Naturally, one of them might have a conflict of interest if he stands to gain financially from your decision. But everyone’s finances are a matter of personal discretion, so I would let your well-formed conscience be your best guide in this respect.

Wow…I never even looked at his signature!

Thank you guys!

 

[Ignatius]

This is about a Vatican rule so I believe this is the correct forum…

Anyway, here’s what the canon in question says:The faithful are to give support to the Church by responding to appeals and according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops.

Does this mean lay people are to give money to every appeal made (I know some (all?) dioceses have a “Catholic services appeal”, to use one example)? or does this mean Catholics are to support the Church in general (e.g john smith already donates 25% of his income to his local parish) and appeals are just given as an example–and in no way obligatory

If someone is already giving 25% of his income, that is way more than enough. We are free to choose how we give to The Church. For example, I know people who give almost all of their donations to EWTN and Catholic Answers.