Money Best Donated Elsewhere?

[Philip]

The Vatican and the moneychangers: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -book.html

And the bureaucracy and culture within might well be beyond the pope's ability to change it.

[RickD]

The Daily Mail is a British tabloid, isn't it?

[Philip]

It's irrelevant who reported the story, as the facts have nothing to do with the Daily Mail. The book the article references was researched by one of Europe's best known investigative reporters.

OK, so here's the story via the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ne ... story.html

[RickD]

If it's true, the Catholic Church really isn't much different than many Protestant churches.

[Philip]

If it's true, the Catholic Church really isn't much different than many Protestant churches.

True, unfortunately. It's why, MANY years ago, when a large church I attended wanted to build some huge additional buildings, I wasn't for it. Stay lean and mean, have just functional/utilitarian facilities, very little debt, and then money can be better used to impact lives of those who really need help. And the more stuff a church builds, the more they gotta support it. The more the "moneymen" - as to opposed to those more spiritually more mature - become influential in ways unhealthy. My community church is very open about finances, regularly addresses the membership on every nuance/every penny. When the economy turned down, rather than cut back on the number and level of outgoing missionary support, instead, the entire small staff and pastors took pay cuts. I think many people want to give in the name of Christ, but they also want to see good and open stewardship of whatever is given/received.