Letters

Money talks

Richard Stokes

Contents - Apr 2007 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Benedict XVI's document on the Eucharist - Michael Gilchrist Book Launch: B.A. Santamaria and Australian Catholicism: Cardinal Pell's tribute - Cardinal George Pell News: The Church Around the World 'Equal opportunity' legislation threatens Christian teachings - Babette Francis Catholicism and secularism in Britain: a test of strength on same-sex adoption - Joanna Bogle History: How much do Catholics know about ecumenical councils? - Frank Mobbs Vocations: New survey of successful US dioceses: lessons for Australia - Michael Gilchrist Rockhampton Lenten program: 'whatever that might mean' - AD2000 Report St Faustina: The Divine Mercy apostolate: a spirituality to transform the world - Eva Kimnes Belief: Christian-Muslim dialogue: major stumbling blocks - Fr Richard Umbers Letters: Liturgy: what next? - Franklin J. Wood Letters: Church leadership - P.W. English Letters: Money talks - Richard Stokes Letters: Saints needed - Arthur N. Ballingall National Church Life Survey clarification - Bob Dixon Letters: Catholic schools Letters: Catholic atmosphere - Stuart Paterson Letters: Free and fair markets and the Church's social doctrine - Chris Hilder Letters: Capital punishment - John Gallagher Letters: Scourge of the West - Kevin McManus Letters: African prisoners seek correspondents - Len Clark Letters: Contraception - Tim Coyle Books: The Way of Love: Reflections on Deus Caritas Est, Livio Melina and Carl Anderson - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Books: Catholic Thought Since the Enlightenment, by Aidan Nichols OP - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Aspects of Authentic Church Teaching, by Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) DOES YOUR PARISH STOCK AD2000? Books: Books available from AD2000 and Freedom Publishing Reflection: Benedict XVI on the transforming power of the Resurrection - Pope Benedict XVI

As a youngster, a number of years ago, I answered the door to some Jehovah's Witnesses. I told them I was a Catholic, but gave them a small amount of money for their Watchtower publication.

I told my parents, and learned that this was a serious matter (i.e., sinful behaviour). We are not allowed to support those who teach other than the true Catholic Faith. It is the inverse of that Commandment of the Church which requires us to contribute to the support of our pastors.

This was reinforced by the priests in our parish.

I have never forgotten this lesson. If I am in a parish which teaches the true Catholic Faith in its entirety, I put money on the plate.

If there is no Catholic teaching, that is, the homilies are consistently about things like global warming, the environment or some other pet liberal topic like how bad the pre- Vatican II Church was, I regard it as sinful to contribute.

The same applies if the priest introduces unauthorised innovations (abuses) in the Mass, such as illicit ministers of Holy Communion.

If the money stopped, would the offending priests in Queensland and elsewhere connect this with their behaviour?

RICHARD STOKES
Morayfield, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 20 No 3 (April 2007), p. 14