Group asking for money

[CathMass]

Is it wrong for a religious group to go around to Churches and say (at Masses) that everyone should contribute money and claim that it would go a certain charity they are supporting but in the long run, the group keeps a considerable portion of the donations and gives only a certain amount to the charity which they claimed to be collecting for?

Thanks for any (name removed by moderator)ut you may have.

 

[Sam_Maloney]

If it’s wrong, my bishop is in big trouble. His ‘Capital Campaign’ is all we hear about in Church these days.

Seriously, though: if the aims of the group co-incide with Church teachings I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.

But the priest should be aware that people get ‘begging burnout’ after a point, and people just stop listening. Too many outside donations will at some point start to diminish the weekly takings of the parish.

And there have been times when I’ve felt like a ‘captive audience’ when these solicitations take place during Mass. Leaves me resentful and disinclined to give.

 

[RobHom]

If I don’t agree… I don’t give. I refuse to be strong armed…by anyone regardless of who it is.

 

[1ke]

Any group speaking at Mass must be approved by the diocese. Typically the diocese looks in to the charity’s record of how the money is used and the charity in general to make sure it is legitimate and adheres to Catholic principles. There is always some overhead with any charity, but it should be minimal.

So, if you have evidence that this group has excessive overhead expenses or is keeping most of the money collected, then you should present that evidence to the diocese and ask that this group no longer be allowed to speak at masses in the diocese.

 

[Nepenthe]

We actually got hit up by a Catholic charity yesterday (we aren’t Catholic, and often either have no interest or outright disagree with the causes such organizations support) that we could totally get behind, and intend to contribute, though our means are modest.

It’s an organization providing aid and supportive shelter for priests with substance abuse problems. Wonderful that this organization exists, and we’re glad to help! Priests, like everyone on Earth, aren’t exempt from these problems, and indeed, a recovered priest would be an immense asset to any community.