Please help: Is this stealing?

[MarieVeronica]

Dear CAF… I have begun receiving all kinds of medals, rosaries and scapulars in the mail… from different religious Orders, Foundations and Ministries; All of them ask for a donation, in return. I have not requested any of these items.

Lately, I have even begun to receive items which are PERSONALIZED, with our names… (making it more difficult, to give them away). I believe that U.S. Postal Law… permits us to keep anything which is sent to us (i.e., sent to YOUR name, address) which has not been requested. But I’m concerned about the moral, ethical idea of keeping these things.

Is it a sin for us to keep, use, wear OR give as “gifts”… these holy items… which we have not requested… but are receiving by the boat loads?

We obviously, can not make donations to ALL of the religious Orders, Foundations, etc. that we receive from. And I hate the idea of throwing them away.

Any one know?

 

[puzzleannie]

according to postal regulations you may keep, use, give away or throw away anything unsolicitate merchandise you receive in the mail, w/o payment of any kind. no crime, no theft, no sin.

 

[JohnnyK]

For the unsolicited rosaries and medals, I donate them. Google donate rosaries and you can find ministries that will take and redistribute them.

 

[wjp984]

Here is the relevant information that has already been posted above:

Unordered Merchandize 39 US Code: Sec. 3009

It can be treated as a gift and the recipient has no further obligations

The exception:

. Where there is an agreement of recipient of goods and later payment then this can be seen as a valid contract

           The recipient now has the obligation to notify sender intent to cancel.

I don’t think your situation falls in the exception so feel free to keep the items sent to you as a gift.

 

[passus]

Q: What should I do with all the stuff (rosaries, prayer cards, medals) that is sent to me by charities seeking donations? I can’t afford to send them all money, but I don’t like to keep things I haven’t paid for or to throw away sacramentals.

A: If a charity sends you unsolicited materials, you are free to keep the materials or dispose of them and are under no obligation to send the charity money. Charities often mail out such goodies in their direct-mail campaigns as an enticement to respond with donations, but they do this knowing that the percentage of people who will actually donate is quite small.

With religious sacramentals, an object that is blessed should not be thrown away but either burned or broken up and the ashes or fragments buried. Charities should tell you in the promotional literature if the object has been blessed. If there is no mention that the object is blessed, you are free to assume that it has not been blessed. If you are uncomfortable with disposing unblessed sacramentals, you can donate the items to a local Catholic hospital, prison apostolate, parish or diocesan ministry, or other such Catholic group that would appreciate having such materials to distribute to the needy.
—Michelle Arnold

catholic.com/thisrock/2006/0605qq.asp

 

[MarieVeronica]

Thanks to all who replied. Your answers were very helpful.

God bless.

 

[maryjk]

Could I give you another idea of what to do with all that stuff?

Donate it to a Sunday school teacher. I give away prizes almost every week. Most of the time it is a small piece of candy. But I also give away rosaries, prayer cards, key chains and the like. I know other teachers do too. Anything you give me, means I don’t have to buy it. It saves me money and money is tight right now.