Financially supporting non-Catholic mission work

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I have friend from college who is going to be making a mission trip in the near future. He recently sent me a letter asking for financial support to help raise the needed funds so that he can go on this trip. This is a non-Catholic mission trip. He will be doing it through a non-denominational church. Would it be wrong for me, as a Catholic, to provide him with financial support on his trip? I know he will be doing good work and working to spread God’s Word. I’m just a little bit leery about giving my money to a non-Catholic cause in this regard. If I give him any donation, it will be no more than $25. I was just wondering what opinions people had on the matter. Thanks!
 
hammer05 said:
I have friend from college who is going to be making a mission trip in the near future. He recently sent me a letter asking for financial support to help raise the needed funds so that he can go on this trip. This is a non-Catholic mission trip. He will be doing it through a non-denominational church. Would it be wrong for me, as a Catholic, to provide him with financial support on his trip? I know he will be doing good work and working to spread God’s Word. I’m just a little bit leery about giving my money to a non-Catholic cause in this regard. If I give him any donation, it will be no more than $25. I was just wondering what opinions people had on the matter. Thanks!
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Some Protestant missionary organizations believe it is their mission to “evangelize Catholics” – meaning, that they try to take them out of the Church and into their non-denominational communities. They target Catholic countries especially, and spread their heresies (Sola Scriptura)and confusion among the faithful.

Other organizations are less polemical and offer material assistance to people in need.

So, it depends on the mission and how the money will be used.
 
I would think hard about this – read what ReggieM said. What do you know about his church’s theological teachings? Do they believe in OSAS? Sola Scripture? The Pope is the Anti Christ nonsense?

Research before you help.
 
Thanks for the responses thus far! Something didn’t feel right about giving him money for his mission trip. I just wanted to hear a second opinion from my fellow Catholics!
 
I had also experienced this once. Here in the Philippines (especially in the rural areas), taxis are seldom. All we had are motor drivers who will take us to our desired destinations. I befriended a Pentecostal driver and we used to talk about God along the way without opposition. We will just talk about the similarities between the Catholic Church and the Pentecostal churches. I never take the change of the fare from him.

The result, he began spreading (according to my catholic friend living near hi splace) that Catholics are gullible, and that they, in their type of persons (Pentecostals), are so blessed that even the best of Catholics provide for them. My generous actions didn’t paved a way for a mutual fraternization, but pride and ridicule from the other side.

But I do hope that your friend is a true friend. Yet, I do not actually want to give him money, but only prayers.** I believe prayer is the best form of help for others, for with many works of charities we sometimes commit so many blunders, but with prayer we leave everything to God, and He never makes a mistake.**
 
hammer05 said:
I have friend from college who is going to be making a mission trip in the near future. He recently sent me a letter asking for financial support to help raise the needed funds so that he can go on this trip. This is a non-Catholic mission trip. He will be doing it through a non-denominational church. Would it be wrong for me, as a Catholic, to provide him with financial support on his trip? I know he will be doing good work and working to spread God’s Word. I’m just a little bit leery about giving my money to a non-Catholic cause in this regard. If I give him any donation, it will be no more than $25. I was just wondering what opinions people had on the matter. Thanks!
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I do not support non-Catholic missions in any financial way.

They typically go to Catholic countries and “spread” not God’s Word (which is found in the Catholic Church) but rather their particular brand of non-Catholic teachings. This is in an attempt to convert people OUT of the Catholic Church.

Their good works of charity are commendable, but there are many Catholic organizations doing these works and not spreading false teaching in the process.
 
gookykookypig said:
But I do hope that your friend is a true friend. Yet, I do not actually want to give him money, but only prayers.** I believe prayer is the best form of help for others, for with many works of charities we sometimes commit so many blunders, but with prayer we leave everything to God, and He never makes a mistake.**
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I vote with gookykookypig.👍
 
Here’s my suggestion:

Figure out how long it takes you to earn $25. Then tell your friend you are going to give him something infinitely more valuable than money. Tell him you will spend that amount of time praying he is successful at spreading the word of God.

This way you not only make a donation to your friend, you are praying to God that what he does is actually God’s will.

Sounds like a win-win situation to me.
 
Give the 25 bucks to Caritas instead. That’s the biggest Catholic charitable organization (aside from the Church itself of course!) that I know of.
 
hammer05 said:
I have friend from college who is going to be making a mission trip in the near future. He recently sent me a letter asking for financial support to help raise the needed funds so that he can go on this trip. This is a non-Catholic mission trip. He will be doing it through a non-denominational church. Would it be wrong for me, as a Catholic, to provide him with financial support on his trip? I know he will be doing good work and working to spread God’s Word. I’m just a little bit leery about giving my money to a non-Catholic cause in this regard. If I give him any donation, it will be no more than $25. I was just wondering what opinions people had on the matter. Thanks!
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I was evangelical for decades (now I’m back to being Catholic!) I went on mission trips and we tried to “win” Catholics all of the time. Certainly your friend will understand. I raised support from friends and didn’t expect any from Catholics…I wouldn’t even ask them…why put them on the spot? If they would have given me anything I think I’d really wonder if they really followed their faith!

God bless you,
 
hammer05 said:
I have friend from college who is going to be making a mission trip in the near future. He recently sent me a letter asking for financial support to help raise the needed funds so that he can go on this trip. This is a non-Catholic mission trip. He will be doing it through a non-denominational church. Would it be wrong for me, as a Catholic, to provide him with financial support on his trip? I know he will be doing good work and working to spread God’s Word. I’m just a little bit leery about giving my money to a non-Catholic cause in this regard. If I give him any donation, it will be no more than $25. I was just wondering what opinions people had on the matter. Thanks!
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Under NO circumstances should you donate any money to a non-Catholic Christian mission.The majority of these missions are to Latin America at least nominally Catholic countries.Advise your friend that you will be supporting him in spreading the word of God through Catholic missions and perhaps he would like to donate?Don’t hold your breath.😉
 
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