If Catholic priests take a vow of poverty, why does the Pope have his own city?
his own standing army, intelligence service, live in luxury, and never wanting for anything? And this includes all the cardinals and bishops that reside in Vatican City as well? Couldn't that money be better spent helping their followers who live in poor countries?
Religion & Spirituality - 19 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Don't forget his extensive collection of priceless works of art and Nazi gold hidden in the mysterious catacombs of the Vatican. The Roman Catholic Church is the epitome of hypocrisy.
2 :
because the pope is a insane man who thinks he has the power of god here is something you should know HE DOES NOT!
3 :
The Catholic Church is the largest charity and benevolent society in the world. This is why they actually need a bunch of priests to run it. The Swiss Guards are for security, and for the tourists. The tourism pays part of the cost. The priests in the Catholic Church actually work for room and board and a small allowance. No one gets rich being a priest, or even the Pope. The few things he has he buys himself or is supplied to him by people wanting prestige and the honor of supplying him. He works a lot, and owns nothing except his personal effects.. The PROOF: He is too poor to buy hair dye. OH< and the whole FAITH THING as well. They are actually doing what they can. You should send them a letter. They will probably write back and thank you for your concern.
4 :
well pope has to pay compensation to te victims of sexual abuse by his priests.
5 :
we are born..we live we die...plant food..end of story religion?.....a multibillion disgrace
6 :
I love your reasoning!
7 :
i know you prob won't read this but its actually a very interesting read: http://www.marquette.edu/umi/events/documents/AllenJohn.pdf it answers your smart @$$ question too :p
8 :
The Pope has his own "city" because at one point in history most of the Italian Peninsula was the churches. When you compare that to what he has now you'll see that he actually has next to nothing. Also, keep in mind that in previous centuries Popes were amazingly powerful and extremely rich. that is not the case today. For the most part the Pop is a figure head and does not have that much to his name. All the wealth he appears to have is actually the Churches.
9 :
THE POPE OWN THE VATICAN ? HOW MUCH HE PAY FOR THE VATICAN IDIOCY IDIOCY NONSENSE HAVE YOU SEEN JOHN PAUL 2 CASQUET NON-LAMINATED WOOD TELL ME HOW MUCH THEY ARE ASKING FOR A CATHEDRAL MY RICH ONCLE NEEDS TO BUY A CHURCH BUILDING .
10 :
because this is how the Church is independent in to-days world..and is free of any Host Country to do Christ's work. http://holymotherchurch.blogspot.com/2009/04/vatican-wealth-myth-thats-contrasted.html http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/letters-to-the-editor/A-wealth-of-misconceptions-over.4584370.jp
11 :
The President of the United States does not have his own own city (or country), his own standing army, or his own intelligence service. The President is the duly elected leader of the country. In the same way, the Pope is the duly elected leader of the independent State of Vatican City. Should we sell both the United States and Vatican City to feed the poor? The mission of the Catholic Church is to proclaim and establish the Kingdom of God begun by Jesus Christ among all peoples. The Church endeavors to save souls. Keeping the priceless art available at the Vatican in trust for all mankind to come, see, and inspire belief in the Kingdom of God is part of this mission. The Church might be able to raise a couple of billion dollars by selling everything but that would soon be gone and the world would not be much better off. Especially if mankind does not change for the better. Both the Old and New Testament says that it is the mission of all mankind (including you and me) to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. It is our job to stop poverty and create justice and peace. If every human being on the planet gave $10 then $60 billion would be raised. If the one billion people in the richest countries gave one $100 each then $100 billion would be raised. Not only do these riches make the Vatican art collections look paltry, this is only a fraction of what can really be raised if people got their priorities straight. You and I and the rest of humanity can do much much more to "help people" than the Vatican can all by itself. We need to stop making excuses for our selfishness by pushing the blame on to the Catholic Church. By the way, the Catholic Charities worldwide distribute billions of dollars in goods and services each year to the needy and have been doing so for well over a thousand years. Oh, and lets not forget that the Vatican has the ultimate responsibility for the lifelong support of over 400,000 priests, over 54,000 religious brothers, and over 760,000 religious sisters worldwide. http://cara.georgetown.edu/bulletin/index.htm With love in Christ.
12 :
Sure, but you have to understand that the catholic church or RCC never gives anything to anyone, they tell their members to do that. But I think that those men do not have to take a vow of poverty, they lay that sheet on the women who become nuns.
13 :
becuz the devil gave it to them
14 :
<<If Catholic priests take a vow of poverty, why does the Pope have his own city?>> The pope does not have his own city. He lives and works in Vatican City, a city state, but he does not own it. <<his own standing army,>> Like I just said, Vatican City is a city state - a sovereign country. The pope, as a Head of State is entitled to a personal body guard. That is what the Swiss Guard is. <<intelligence service,>> Again, Vatican City, being a sovereign country, is entitled to see to it's own security. That means, among other things, an intelligence service. <<live in luxury,>> No. The pope owns little more than whatever personal effects he takes with him to Rome, and whatever gifts he receives in his time as pope. <<and never wanting for anything?>> Do you serious think even popes don't have 'wants'? <<And this includes all the cardinals and bishops that reside in Vatican City as well?>> What about the cardinals and bishops? <<Couldn't that money be better spent helping their followers who live in poor countries?>> What money are you talking about? How much exactly do you think there is? How do you think it should be spent? The Vatican isn't what you think it is. The Vatican's annual budget is no larger than that of the City of Chicago; that's not big - and quite often runs in the red by millions. You act as if the Vatican has this huge surplus of money, but the fact the Vatican's budget runs in the red suggests otherwise. Where ever you're getting your info, stop it.
15 :
The Pope does not have his own city. It's a country. Without the first two he would die everyother week and it would be more expesive to get a new one. He never wants anything because of the vow of poverty.
16 :
Catholics struggle with this.. The reality is that the Church and its laity pursue charitable works at various levels as individuals and as organizations. When you have a chance, please conduct an internet search on such great organizations as The St. Vincent De Paul society, Catholic Charities, you will find many Catholic charitable organizations. Right now the Catholic Church is in the "muck" of the dialogue on national healthcare in the USA, immigration/immigrant rights, all sorts of topics. On the Vatican website is an enormous document which you can find via a Vatican website search: the compendium of social doctrine of the Catholic Church. There is a bound version of this available for sale I believe, maybe I saw this on Amazon.. The Pope occupies the seat of St. Peter. The historical art works and documents of the Church are its history. The buildings are a testament to the strength of the Church which goes back to Jesus Christ. What is better to sell those works of art to private collectors or to keep some of the works of art on display for the world to see? The Pope is a head of state like the President of the USA, the Prime Minister of England or the Chancellor of Germany. Being so, he requires an intelligence service, body guards, other things.. Do you remember the sad incident of when a fellow shot Pope John Paul II? Please conduct an internet search to read about this historical incident. I remember watching the news when this happened - it was just horrible. Very sad.. At the foundation of Catholicism is a pursuit of peace. Also when you have a chance, please conduct an internet search on the many Catholic missions, the European and American priests working in many countries around the world.. The Catholic Church has been pursuing missionary works since the beginning. There are many American and European Catholic religious order members who are living in the countries you allude to.. Sincerely, A Roman Catholic http://www.vatican.va http://www.osb.org http://www.ocso.org PS.. I don't work for any of the organizations mentioned in this answer - I am not an employee of any of the aforementioned Catholic organizations. I know them based on their public websites and what I read. I hear about these organizations during Masses and in the Catholic press.
17 :
That's actually a pretty funny point of view. And look at all the gold he has around him. And the buildings! And a Popemobile. Don't you want a Popemobile? I want a Popemobile, but then no one hates me with abject disdain or wants to murder me and destroy my home. Seriously, everything the Roman Catholic Church owns whether it is in Vatican City, your neighborhood church district or a hut in the deepest jungle of Africa or highest Andean mountain.... it all belongs to ALL Catholics and indeed to all the world. The earthly riches, earned through mostly popular consent of The Church in ages past, are used to earn income that buys food and medicine for the poor and disenfranchised ALL OVER the world. In every corner of it. Millions of people would be dead if not for that wealth. It is unfortunate that worldly resources are attained through wealth, but that doesn't mean the Church doesn't help those who can't earn for themselves to DO for themselves. Farming, fishing, building shelter, etc etc etec The Pope has no personal need for the monetary value of the Sistine Chapel. He couldn't access it if he wanted. There are a lot of checks and balances, but the greatest one is Christ. The Pope's needs are of a nonmaterial nature. He does not actually own any of that stuff. It is owned by The Church, which is billions of people -- truly uncountable if you want to know -- the world over. But that wealth provides local parishes with what they need to conduct Christ's mission. There are hundreds of thousands of churches that the Vatican cares for. It uses the consolidated power and wealth of Vatican City to do that. What do you think he does? Covet that money. Count it in between prayers, writings, saying Mass, giving audience to world leaders, church leaders of every faith and humble servants. The Church is all about servitude. It gives it ALL away one way or another. Reading the daily briefings from the Vatican can help anyone see exactly what is going on. The Pope and the hierarchy in Vatican City do not lavishly spend Church money on their own needs.The Medici family and other benefactors never planned on building what would become Vatican City, the world's smallest country. If anyone thinks conspiratorially, why would an entity with that much historical power build the world's smallest country? Makes more sense to build a megacountry with lots of political power IF you value material wealth. You think they knew when the paintings were painted, when the sculptures were sculpted, when the buildings were built, that all that would one day be worth upwards of "impossible to value?" Think clearly. The Church is the repository of massive inherited wealth, but it does not seek one dime for its own sake. It seeks money strictly as a means of feeding the poor, supporting priests who do not earn ANYTHING and supporting any number of missions, schools and organizations (both Protestant and Catholic by the way). Take a look at the links below. See what that vast wealth is RESPONSIBLE for supporting. No one seriously believes the Church is lax in its responsibilities. It does not generate wealth for the sake of wealth. You don't find the Pope or priests living in big, modern houses in pricey neighborhoods APART from regular people. Where the Pope lives is where the inherited wealth of The Church has put him. And he leverages that not for himself, but for millions of other people. I would imagine he eats pretty good though, but who knows. Might be a good thing to research. He has pretty humble beginnings. Look at it this way: the cardinals, bishops and others who reside in Vatican City each have their own stories. Some have lived in poverty you cannot imagine as part of their ministries. Doing that teaches you the value of gold is that it is a mineral that doesn't tarnish. The money ceases to be important. The usefulness for mankind is what is important. Love your fellow man as I have loved you. Christ made it that simple, then created The Church to empower it with spirit and material tools that could help it reach everyone. What all priests including the Pope want, money cannot buy. Or put another way, to paraphrase Felix talking to James in the hit movie Casino Royale: "Does it look like he needs the money?"
18 :
A Catholic priest does NOT (and I repeat: NOT) take a vow of poverty, but merely of chastity and obedience. The Pope is no exception. Vows of poverty are, however, expected from members of most religious orders (like monk, friars, nuns, and religious sisters). --- In the case of Popes and Bishops, the splendour is *directly related to the authority and power they represent*. This happens *everywhere* and *everyone expects positions of authority (say, Prime Minister, Head of State) to be surrounded by symbolic accoutrements of power*. It is an extremely effective, ancient way of communication. --- In the case of the Catholic Church, conservative Catholics would, in case, even complain that modern Popes make *not enough use* of these symbols of power and splendour. Pope Benedict, happily reigning, is improving on the praxis of the last decades and introducing, in various ways, a splendour and a pomp which had been partially abandoned in the past. This is a healthy development and it is to hope that his successors will further improve on this. --- Power needs symbols. Buildings representing power and authority (court buildings, Parliaments, etc.) are always impressive, for the very same reason. The Pope is the representative of Christ on Earth and no amount of splendour and pomp is too much to express this. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Couldn't that money be better spent helping their followers who live in poor countries?" No, it couldn't. If you look at the episode of Jesus and the precious ointment, you understand the mechanism. *Money is not a finite resource. It is not that the money you give to exalt God, you take away from the poor*. On the contrary: *the more you care for God, the more this creates blessings and prosperity which benefit the poor too*. God wants the first lamb sacrificed to him, not what has left after the poor have been fed. God wants you to put him first and God must come first, always. -----------------------
19 :
First, Catholic priests do not take a vow of poverty, only monks do. Catholic 'secular clergy' (which includes bishops, cardinals, and the pope) typically work on parishes or church government, which necessitates some ownership or management of property, and thus they have never taken a vow of poverty. They make a promise of 'simplicity of life', which is usually interpreted as living as simply as possible. If you speak to any typical priest, this is the case. Most priests live in a simple, one-bedroom apartment (rectory) and make less than $40k a year, some far less than that. This is equally true for cardinals, bishops and the pope himself. The myth of Vatican 'wealth' is one of the oldest myths in the book, but is completely untrue. Vatican finances are a public record and anyone can view their financial statements - check 'myth 4' in this link by a journalist (http://www.tnerb.org/archives/000208.html) to see a summary. The Vatican, for an international corporation, has an insignificant amount of money. (In fact, up until this decade, they were typically running in the 'red' every year, and were the butt of jokes in Europe.) The Vatican has no 'standing army' - the Swiss guards are essentially glorified security personnel, and given that they are guarding some of the finest artistic treasures in Europe (the pieta, etc.), I don't think any of us would want them disbanded. The Vatican does substantial fundraising for its followers in poor countries. 'Second collections' are taken up all over the world for these countries (the collection for Eastern Europe, etc.). Right now the Pope is holding a synod of bishops for Africa, a series of meetings running several weeks on how best to help African Catholics. As for why the Pope has 'his own city', this is an overstatement - the Vatican is the size of a few city blocks. It was donated to the bishop of Rome back in the eighth century. (It was much larger then - in the nineteenth century Italian princes invaded it and seized much of it by force.) The Vatican must be a sovereign city-state in order to maintain political neutrality. If the Vatican were simply a portion of the nation of Italy, then Italy would exercise political jurisdiction over the Vatican and could control much of its activities. As it is, as a neutral city-state, the Vatican can speak as an independent voice in world politics, even turning against Italy (which it did during the fascist rule before World War II.)
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