Why do priests drive Cadillacs and own nice Retreat houses on the lake?

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Our priests drive 1) a chevy and 2) audi. The priest driving the Audi was given this as a gift from his former parish by a man who owned a dealership. It was in appreciation for his many years of service.
 
Lou_F said:
Recently, I spoke to an older fella (a former Catholic) who ripped apart the priesthood and how the Church uses Her money. He stated that the priesthood is nothing but a men’s club, and all decide what they need and so they are all together (especially bishops and cardinals) on taking care of themselves by having more than needed luxuries. Meanwhile, Catholic Schools are closing. He went on to say, knowing many do choose a life of poverty in certain orders: “Why do other priests who don’t take a vow of poverty have to have so much more than required?” I must admit, he makes a strong argument. Have American priests and bishops been taking advantage of the fat of the lamb? Jesus washed the disciples feet. He took a very low position to explain how those who serve him are to be towards others. Does not owning less luxuries so others in more need can have more, benefit Christ’s mission?
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Does your friend want them to not earn anything?

Or just not ever own anything with what they accumulate? (Many of whom in turn donate generously from their estate…)

I don’t get it. If a priest makes $20K a year, lives frugally, serves the Church well, and is able to buy himself a nice car or maybe even own or co-own a home of his own…

That is a bad thing?

Does your friend sleep on a cot and live in a rented room, supping on cold oatmeal? You know, until there are no homeless or hungry…

That tired old cliche is just a red herring and an excuse.

Whe someone starts waiving that flag my gut response is always the same: what did they steal, or what do they feel guilty over?
 
I cant believe this post? we cannot judge our Priests this way. If someone sees outrageous luxuries of a priest ask him. Dont go starting rumors. why doesnt anyone say anything about the priests who have no shoes, no hot water, no running water living conditions, not to mention the Monks that are on missionaries. Where is the big ruccas for these Priests?

My Priest gets very nice gifts, he is so humble, one parishoner gave him this nice expensive leather jacket for christmas, Father saw a homeless guy walking down the street in the cold without a jacket, ran inside his office and chase the guy down and gave it to him. I ask father why did you do that? He said it was a gift, so I gave it away, besides I dont need anything like that jacket?

Our other priest, drives an old 1970’s something without airconditioning, in 110 degree weather. He does not complain. If they do have these nice things dont judge them. Ask them, they might just give it away?
 
I find it an egotistical waste of time and money, when that money could have been used for far more important things than overrated transportation to make a priest look good.I do not know if it is the parishioner trying to buy their way into heaven or get more points with the priest and feed their ego with the congregation, but there should be a limit on the type of vehicle a priest can have. better yet, it should be common sense for the priest to sell the vehcle, buy something far less wateful and donate the funds to a worthy cause.
just my opinion.
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I know a non-denom minister in my city who earn 5 million per year his wife about 3 million, they own several Lexus, a multi-million dollar house in one of the ritzest neighborhoods; how about these multi-millionaire Prosperity Gospel televangelist, one woman who is based out of Tampa and just bought an $800,000 house in one of our suburbs, etc etc etc, How many priests own personal airplanes versus non-Catholic ministers. Why dont you go after these. Talk about egos, looking good, wasteful, Oh, yeah , I know, those are gifts from Our Lord for the work they are doing, yeah right… I know this priest where I do part time work that lives in a rectory that is 40 years old, drives a beat up car, owns no fancy clothes, and has 2 black suits to his name.
Check around and see who makes more money, priests, or these televangelist and ministers… Other priests in my neighborhood live in a 70 year old monastery and have no personal possessions.
 
As to my own personal experience, the priests at the parish I attend do have a few nice things, but as I understand they are gifts from family. For instance, Fr. Justin, who is very young, plays video games still, but they are only gifts from his family. The other Fr. Fish (nice name?) owns a nice leather bound set of the Summa Theologica, don’t know as to how he got that, though I think he got that from an old library.

I asked a question like this in general about all people like this, and I was treated to Matthew 7:3-4. May as well try and make up for these ‘shortcomings,’ perceived as such or not.
 
The way I look at this is do we really care what kind of a car the priests drive or if they have a retreat to go too? My goodness priests give thier ENTIRE life to God. (and put up with all of us) lol… I say let them have a few nicer things in life if they get that chance.

What I dont like for example: There was an evangelical pastor in our area that was selling his home for over a half million and was building another home in a different state for over a million.

I wonder if his congregation knows or would care?:confused:
 
justinthemartyr said:
Yes, I have seen many, many priests driving everything from town cars, to new Lexus suv, to mercedez 70K sedans.

The parishioners are allowed to buy these for them.

I find it an egotistical waste of time and money, when that money could have been used for far more important things than overrated transportation to make a priest look good.I do not know if it is the parishioner trying to buy their way into heaven or get more points with the priest and feed their ego with the congregation, but there should be a limit on the type of vehicle a priest can have. better yet, it should be common sense for the priest to sell the vehcle, buy something far less wateful and donate the funds to a worthy cause.
just my opinion.
🙂
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Didn’t Judas - who was stealing - complain about what was wasted on Jesus?
 
It is this exact attitude that keeps the mission of Christ from being more fully lived by the christian community …

Diocesan priests do not take a vow of poverty… the wages they receive are not going to make them rich. They forego many conveniences and pleasures. They are members of families and do receive gifts from family [and even inheritances]. They have friends and parishioners who also may give gifts.

This attitude is used to justify negligible and non existant parish support. Young men who might otherwise consider a vocation to the priesthood will turn away … not because the priest does not make a huge salary but because these vocal persons run down and disrespect the vocation …

MY OPINION and FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

Your friend probably never gave a respectable share of his God given Time, Talents and Treasure … his attack upon the priesthood in this manner is probably the result of his own persoanal guilt over mis use and abuse of personal funds and less about any individual priest and should never be the basis for a broad attack upon the priesthood in general :mad: - IMHO
 
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