Dirty Money in the Church?

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Lexee15

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The other day I was watching tv on the spanish channel and there was a show that had a segment about how a Cardinal in Mexico said that the church accepted money from cartels. He was asked if it was okay that the Church knowingly received money from drug cartels and he said that he didn’t think there was anything wrong with that, that they couldn’t go around checking who was in a cartel and who wasn’t as the offering basket went around…or something like that. Basically, the Cardinal looked real bad with this comment considering all the terrible things the drug cartels do and where the money comes from. Is it morally correct for the church to take this “dirty” money or is more of a “don’t ask don’t tell” kind of thing?
 
This has been going on for years, (ever see a Mafia Funeral and I don’t mean the Movie), There are some Priests out there kissing the feet of sinners and looking the other way because they give big, ignoring the poor because they “contribute” very little money. For example a person in organized crime who barely attends Mass wants his kid baptized answer "No problem, when do you want to hold it? But a Petty theif, who attends Mass sometimes, tries to do right but keeps slipping up, wants his kid Baptized…answer “NO” Most Priest don’t behave this way, but there are enough that many people of other Faiths will say “Oh, another rich Catholics trying to buy his way to Heaven.” It is embarassing to all Faithful Catholic and and especially Good, Honest Priests.
 
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Lexee15:
The other day I was watching tv on the spanish channel and there was a show that had a segment about how a Cardinal in Mexico said that the church accepted money from cartels. He was asked if it was okay that the Church knowingly received money from drug cartels and he said that he didn’t think there was anything wrong with that, that they couldn’t go around checking who was in a cartel and who wasn’t as the offering basket went around…or something like that. Basically, the Cardinal looked real bad with this comment considering all the terrible things the drug cartels do and where the money comes from. Is it morally correct for the church to take this “dirty” money or is more of a “don’t ask don’t tell” kind of thing?
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Just curious, what would be the alternative, going around asking who is in a cartel as they pass the offering basket around?
 
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lifeisbeautiful:
Just curious, what would be the alternative, going around asking who is in a cartel as they pass the offering basket around?
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Well that’s what he said, when asked how could he do that. I’m thinking along the same lines, how can you say your money is good and your’s isn’t. I’m not judging, just curious cause I’d never thought of this dilema before. I’m sure there are people that donate lots of $$$ and the priests know who they are and how they get it, would it be wrong for them to refuse the money…if they know?
 
It is one thing to say that we cannot question who puts money in the collection basket - of course, we can not.

Sometimes, however, individuals give large donations to the Church, and in a case like this, it would at least be prudent to know who is the giver, and how that person earns the money being given. In this case, I believe that the Church should refuse to accept money from persons known to be earning it in an evil manner - unless that person has repented and is making the donation as a penance…

Just my :twocents:
 
It’s one thing to ask for a name and social security number on every $20 bill thrown in a collection basket.

But if a $50,000 check from an obvious druggie showed up, that’s a tougher one.

Seems like charity would require that the church either:
  1. Return the money with a note that says “Since you’ve chosen to live your live in a manner that brings harm to others for the purpose of making money, we suggest that you just keep this money for yourself until you are ready to stop committing the crimes that generate this moeny.”
  2. Keep it and send a note like “Thank you for your recent donation to the church. We appreciate the financial support, but feel that it is our duty to remind you that regardless of how much money you give to charity or to the poor locally, it cannot excuse you from the guilt of any sins that might have been committed in obtaining the moeny in the first place. Jesus was quite clear in teaching that the amount of money given was of no concern to him; all that matters to Him is the charity (or lack of it) to be found inside the giver. We hope that your gift is a sign of your desire to be reconciled to God and that you will come receive the grace of the sacrament of reconciliation soon.”
P.S. Mother Teresa is criticised for taking money from criminals.
 
What?!? There’s dirty money in the church?

Better do some money laundering. 😉
 
I agree with manualman except I think the priest ought to say these things to such donators in person not send notes which could be read by people not meant to read them for it deals, even if indirectly, with the sort of things ones goes to confession about.

If the donator in question made a big splash about it, and expected favors, that would be another matter entirely. In that case I would definitely not accept the donation.

I think this is one of those hard pastoral decisions I’m glad I don’t have to make. But, if I did I would hope I would say to the person that while the money is certainly welcome, his reformation of life would be even more welcome.
 
I side with Giuliani when it comes to taking money from shadowy individuals. 200,000, 000 or 2 cents…the Church should always use it’s discretion when excepting money from private parties.
NEW YORK (CNN) – Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Thursday the city would not accept a $10 million donation for disaster relief from Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal after the prince suggested U.S. policies in the Middle East contributed to the September 11 attacks. Read more…

And yes, I have witnessed my entire life the bias preference shown by some priests and bishops when the scent of money is in the air…it is a shameful disgrace:mad: and I would really like to kick butt sometimes but my hands and mouth are bound.

%between%
 
Luke 7:36-50

Jesus let his feet be bathed in perfume bought with money made by performing immoral sex acts.

These people are trying to make restitution somehow. It shows they have a conscience, however limited their understanding may be.
 
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Trelow:
Luke 7:36-50

Jesus let his feet be bathed in perfume bought with money made by performing immoral sex acts.

These people are trying to make restitution somehow. It shows they have a conscience, however limited their understanding may be.
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:yup:

Good thought…thank you…
I do love that story Luke 7:36-50
 
Good point, Trelow…
These people are trying to make restitution somehow. It shows they have a conscience, however limited their understanding may be.
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There is an obligation under the 7th commandment that whenever we have stolen, the sin needs to be confessed. But that is not all, as we know. There is an obligation to make restitution for what the person stole. If it is not possible to return the item or money to the person from whom it was stolen, they may give it anonymously to charity, in this case, the Church.

Whatever is put into the basket is considered a sacred offering unto the Lord. Who would dare to question the motive behind every gift? Consider that some might even put money in the basket that is obtained unlawfully through a paycheck that they did not earn honestly. The person may have wasted his employer’s time through hours of access to the internet, or by falsely claiming sick pay after a day at the links, etc., etc.

Whether the amount is a greater sum as from “dirty money,” or a lesser sum from sin that is not as serious, is immaterial, for in God’s eyes, I would think it is the intent that matters.

🙂 Carole
 
Some people aren’t giving it to make restitution, because if they were they would give it and stop their criminal activity. I guess it makes me uneasy to know that some think they can “buy” their way into Heaven. That they give money that is bloody, money that they got from some teenage junkie or a junkie mom. I understand that the church can’t ask everyone where the money comes from and their intent when giving it, but I know that some priests know what some of their parishoners are in to and I wonder if it’s right to take their money. It would seem that they would take them aside and tell them that they are always welcome at Mass and church and encourage them to go to confession etc., but make it clear that their money, where it comes from is not acceptable to the church…or something like that. Maybe I’m being too harsh, it’s just I’ve seen what some of these cartels have done to entire families for the love of money and it’s wrong, IMHO. :ehh:
 
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Lexee15:
Some people aren’t giving it to make restitution, because if they were they would give it and stop their criminal activity. I guess it makes me uneasy to know that some think they can “buy” their way into Heaven. That they give money that is bloody, money that they got from some teenage junkie or a junkie mom. I understand that the church can’t ask everyone where the money comes from and their intent when giving it, but I know that some priests know what some of their parishoners are in to and I wonder if it’s right to take their money. It would seem that they would take them aside and tell them that they are always welcome at Mass and church and encourage them to go to confession etc., but make it clear that their money, where it comes from is not acceptable to the church…or something like that. Maybe I’m being too harsh, it’s just I’ve seen what some of these cartels have done to entire families for the love of money and it’s wrong, IMHO. :ehh:
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You’re not being harsh, only prideful.

The Lord has given them their power and money, regardless if it came about through licit means or not. It’s His to begin with, and to Him it shall return.
 
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Lexee15:
Some people aren’t giving it to make restitution, because if they were they would give it and stop their criminal activity. I guess it makes me uneasy to know that some think they can “buy” their way into Heaven. That they give money that is bloody, money that they got from some teenage junkie or a junkie mom. I understand that the church can’t ask everyone where the money comes from and their intent when giving it, but I know that some priests know what some of their parishoners are in to and I wonder if it’s right to take their money. It would seem that they would take them aside and tell them that they are always welcome at Mass and church and encourage them to go to confession etc., but make it clear that their money, where it comes from is not acceptable to the church…or something like that. Maybe I’m being too harsh, it’s just I’ve seen what some of these cartels have done to entire families for the love of money and it’s wrong, IMHO. :ehh:
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What is important is HE knows, I do not believe anyone can “buy” their way to Heaven. God also knows what Priests knowingly favor the “dirty money” Rich over the rest of his Flock. We really can’t do much to change this but we can rest assure that their Day of Judgement will come. But a collection plate (unless an envelope with a name on it) who knows who puts in what.
 
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