Having your named called

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Chaldean_Rite

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Hello,

Lets say you give money to your Church (non-offertory). Like $10k.

Let us consider two scenarios:
  1. You instruct the priest not to reveal your name
  • He does
    Is this wrong?
  1. You don’t instruct the priest.
  • He does
    Is this wrong?
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
—Matthew 6:3-4

Thanks for your time.
 
if you asked the priest not to name you and he does, its wrong. i mean, doesn’t matter if its the priest or someone else, they just broke your agreement

if you didn’t ask him and he does, i don’t think its wrong. its sometimes is a good way to encourage other people to help and contribute as well and if they can attach a face to the good deed, the more they will be encouraged to follow the act. as long as the purpose is not about boasting, then its okay, IMHO
 
choy said:
if you didn’t ask him and he does, i don’t think its wrong. its sometimes is a good way to encourage other people to help and contribute as well and if they can attach a face to the good deed, the more they will be encouraged to follow the act. as long as the purpose is not about boasting, then its okay, IMHO
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That was my thought.

But what is better:
Saying it was an anonymous donation or putting up a plaque that the Smith family donated this statue?
 
Chaldean_Rite said:
That was my thought.

But what is better:
Saying it was an anonymous donation or putting up a plaque that the Smith family donated this statue?
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isn’t that misleading if it was announced (either during the announcement part of the mass or through the bulletin or website) that it was annonymous, then later you you acknowledge the donors?
 
All donations are considered anonymous unless the person requests it be made public is pretty much SOP everywhere (they are recorded in the Church financial records for income tax purposes of course)
 
kage_ar said:
All donations are considered anonymous unless the person requests it be made public is pretty much SOP everywhere (they are recorded in the Church financial records for income tax purposes of course)
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I work in fundraising, though not in a parish context. The opposite of this is in fact true; call up a University and ask for a list of their donors and–I believe per IRS regulations–they will have one available. We receive requests for donations to be considered anonymous and they are, of course. A lot of charitable organizations list their donors, I always look through them when I see the list of donors whenever I go to the theater/opera/ballet.
 
kage_ar said:
That is very different than the Parish context.
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I have never seen any donors’ names revealed either in my current parish or in the parish I grew up. The ONLY except is when the annual summer festival is held and businesses/individuals sponsor the festival.
 
PatriceA said:
I have never seen any donors’ names revealed either in my current parish or in the parish I grew up. The ONLY except is when the annual summer festival is held and businesses/individuals sponsor the festival.
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Yep. The Church treats a person’s giving record as confidential.
 
Around my neck of the woods, if you don’t want people to know about the donation, if you don’t want your name printed up on some donor list, or worse, announced at some meeting, you must check out their plans and request to be anonymous if need be. Anonymous is not the standard state of affairs in every scenario. I forgot and got myself listed on a donor list a couple of years ago.

I’m talking about donations other than the Sunday plate.
 
I am beginning to think you don’t have a “right” to not be revealed if you gave money. In one parable, we are called to sit at the lowest part of the table and it is God that elevates us. I think it is the Church that does the same thing if it recognizes you played a part.

It is only because it is money that this issue arises. Had it been works of mercy, counseling, or something other than money or goods, you cannot “hide” what you are doing - unless of course its a spiritual realm (ie: prayer).

The Church does not deal in private - except in confession. So sure, I think you can request you actions not to be revealed but I think in the end its a pastoral decision, hopefully guided by God to either praise you for your help and elevate you or set a good example for others.
 
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