Catholics & Catholicism

Question:

http://www.salemnews.com/ Don’t refuse gift from the faithful It is difficult to understand Cardinal Bernard Law’s refusal to accept donations raised by Voice of the Faithful. The many social programs funded by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston depend on money from church members for their existence. But donations, among them the Cardinal’s Appeal, are way down this year. Church officials won’t say by how much but one estimate puts the figure at 30 to 40 percent. Law has announced that the archdiocese would reduce its budget by one-third and cut 15 positions as well as aid to parishes, schools and hospitals. The archdiocese blames the poor economy and the sexual abuse scandal for the decline. No doubt both are factors. Beyond the drop in donations, another result of the sex scandal was the formation of Voice of the Faithful, an organization of laity determined to reform the church. Formed just five months ago, the group has grown to 19,000 members nationwide. Voice of the Faithful held its first national convention in Boston last week. The group wants to provide a way for Catholics upset by the scandal to continue donating to vital charities without going through the archdiocese. Its "Voice of Compassion" fund would bypass church hierarchy and provide money directly to archdiocese charities. But the archdiocese will not accept the money. Cardinal Law has spoken much of healing and coming together in the church since the sex scandal was first exposed. But Law’s actions differ greatly from his words. Law has fought Voice of the Faithful since its inception. He discouraged clergy from assisting dissident groups in any manner. Now comes the refusal to accept its offer of financial help. Voice of the Faithful is seeking to help the very charities that make the Catholic Church so vital to the community. The church should welcome the effort. Law’s obstinacy smacks of hubris and is keeping the church divided, not bringing it together. — "It’s amazing how much panic one honest man can spread among a multitude of hypocrites"

Response:

http://www.salemnews.com/ Don’t refuse gift from the faithful It is difficult to understand Cardinal Bernard Law’s refusal to accept donations raised by Voice of the Faithful.

Not really all that hard to understand, since "Voice of the Faithful" apparently is nothing more than yet one more political action committee (PAC) and I think the Roman Catholic church is wise to avoid the entanglements of PAC’s.

Response:

http://www.salemnews.com/ Don’t refuse gift from the faithful It is difficult to understand Cardinal Bernard Law’s refusal to accept donations raised by Voice of the Faithful. Not really all that hard to understand, since "Voice of the Faithful" apparently is nothing more than yet one more political action committee (PAC) and I think the Roman Catholic church is wise to avoid the entanglements of PAC’s.

            You can take the money…you need it and have no shame. Paul

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