Malta donation box:
"Help me become a priest."
No wonder so many priests don't like the Pope.
The other day commenting on the money changers in the Temple, the Holy Father said:
Churches "cannot be run as a business, with a price list for sacraments. Money is needed for the buildings? Give gratuitousness and God will do the rest” - Read the rest here.Alas, so many are operating like businesses.
I've seen 'price lists'. I've seen recommended dollar amounts for 'stole fees' and other services as well. Catholics have always made offering and made the recommended stipend for Mass or the sacraments, but it was always a free-will offering. Of course things are slightly different these days, when even 'spiritual direction' has turned into a counselling business. For laity who put out a shingle, that's pretty much to be expected, but I'm not sure it's a priestly thing to expect payment. A gratuitous donation is certainly appreciated, but ...
Online I've seen priests with their donate apps, increasing their suggested monthly donation rate, one guy recently upped his from $5- to $10-. Lately I've been barraged with professional marketing gimmicks, filling up my mail box with expensive mailings from Catholic Basilica's, religious orders, and other charities. They send booklets, assorted gifts of note papers and personalized address labels, as well as rosaries and medals - all slickly packaged with pleas for donations. Some even follow up with a 'how did you like your gift?' letter, asking for a minimal donation to cover the expense of mailing the calendar and note pads, etc.. It was unsolicited in the first place - someone probably sold my name to them or their agency doing the marketing for them.
This is the work of Catholic marketing groups - working 'for the Church' using secular marketing strategies - paid for by the charity or institution - with the promise of prayers for your donation. Strangely enough - in some cases, the donation may just cover expenses. They send out junk, unwanted kitsch. It's money changers business - figuratively in the 'temple precincts'. I see online marketers advertising to improve church fundraising with these nuisance strategies which guilt and manipulate people into giving.
I prefer the Pope's vision for the Church. A poor Church supported by the devout and grateful who give out of love, devotion and thanksgiving. Church support will be there - going commercial is not the way to get it.
