If a minimum donation is required to obtain a sacramental, is it considered simony?

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virtue

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Hi there,

A group at my parish is “selling” blessed bells “by donation”. They specifically stated that there is a minimum donation of $15 for each bell and also that the bells have already been blessed.

The CCC 2121 states that “Simony is defined as the buying or selling of spiritual things.” My understanding is that the term “spirituals things” includes sacramentals, which are physical objects that are blessed and dedicated to God for the benefit of His people.

In the case of my parish, would this be considered simony, or is it permissible for them to require a minimum donation since the parish could be the competent authority in this case per CCC 2122? CCC 2122 states: “The minister should ask nothing for the administration of the sacraments beyond the offerings defined by the competent authority, always being careful that the needy are not deprived of the help of the sacraments because of their poverty.” The competent authority determines these “offerings” in accordance with the principle that the Christian people ought to contribute to the support of the Church’s ministers. “The laborer deserves his food.”

My understanding is that money CAN be exchanged for sacramentals PROVIDED THAT the money given is in NO way required and is only a donation freely given. I am confused by the way the parish group is asking for a minimum donation because that would seem to suggest it is not a freely given donation. Adding the word “suggested” to the bulletin announcement as in “suggested minimum donation of $15” would solve my confusion.

Thanks in advance!
 
I don’t see why something that just covers cost can be construed as simony.

There were some questionable practices of simony such as collecting royalties of copyrightable materials such as translations on the liturgy but I believe this was corrected.
 
ProVobis said:
I don’t see why something that just covers cost can be construed as simony.

There were some questionable practices of simony such as collecting royalties of copyrightable materials such as translations on the liturgy but I believe this was corrected.
Click to expand...
I forgot to mention that it appears that the $15 does not cover only the cost of the bell itself since the proceeds will be going to help fix the school and church roof/tuckpointing. The bells are in conjunction with a fair meant to raise money for this purpose.
 
virtue said:
A group at my parish is “selling” blessed bells “by donation”.
Click to expand...
I suggest you speak to your pastor. We cannot buy/sell blessings. You can sell blessed objects but cannot attach a monetary value to the blessing. For examples-- bells $15, blessed bells $20. That would indeed be simony.

In general, if you buy a blessed object, you need to have it re-blessed.

It would be best to sell the bells, then have them blessed to avoid confusing the faithful. And I’m not sure about the “minimum” donation-- I assume that they are selling these for some good work, so if you want to pay more than the $15 you can. But, $15 is the price, so it’s not a recommended donation of $15 but you have to pay at least $15 if you want a bell.
 
Yes this is, especially if the donation is required from someone who cannot afford it. It would not be a donation in that case either, since donation means gift. At most it can be recommended. Also, I believe that the consecration would be lost when the ownership is transferred to a different person, whether money is involved or not.
 
The bells probably cost $10 or $15 each to acquire and the purpose of the whole thing is to raise money so in this instance I would say probably not. The fact that they were blessed is probably because the whole thing is for the benefit of the Church; I doubt anyone was taking legalities into account over the whole thing. One could always have them re-blessed if worried.
 
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