Posted on 07/08/2018 7:14:12 PM PDT by marshmallow
Of course I could do that.
I’d rather hear it directly from the person who corrected me, and then compare what an Internet search gives.
Much comes from direct donations, some is from tourism, some is from the annual Peter’s Pence collection.
I did see those in the search I did.
However, when I did my search, the sources I found claimed that donations to local parishes still get funneled up bit by bit.
It was CNN, though, so I’m taking it with an entire saltshaker while trying to refine my search. Most of the top sites that come up when I ask the question are very anti-Catholic.
As I mentioned, that would be from the Peter's Pence collection. The name is from medieval times when countries would send a penny per Catholic to the Pope. The current collection is totally voluntary.
Keep in mind the Vatican is self-supporting. It is a country... yet also global. It’s not the executive function of a huge corporation or charity, as many people suppose. It is not a pyramid but a circle.
The 8% from the parishes goes to the Diocese and is used therein by bishop for chancery and programs. It does not “go” anywhere else.
Sorry, yes, Peter’s Pence is an annual collection from individual parishes, voluntary, expressly for the pope. It’s collected in specially marked envelopes.
There are several of these “special” or “second” collections. They target clearly defined purposes. Not sure, it may be 12 per year? At least a few focus on the poor. Another may be priest retirement and elder care?
To all we’ve discussed so far in this thread must be added the Bishop’ Annual Appeal for his budget for pastoral outreach, schools, and many programs for the laity. This is conducted at the chancery level with mailings to all homes.
The Catholic Church is not “rich” as everyone says, especially considering they have Millions of members who benefit. Most of the wealth is not owned by the Church. The art and antiquities and buildings (such as the Sistine Chapel) are held in Trust as belonging to humanity, with Church as custodian. Pretty heavy responsibility.
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