Withholding contributions from your Parish as protest?

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point? Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

Thanks

[rlg94086]

Originally Posted by max37

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point? Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

Thanks

Well, if I were Rahm Emanuel and did it, it would be a sin because I made $16 million in two years....

Seriously, I guess it would be a boycott, but I don't know how effective it would be. If your parish is like my parish, they are probably "asking for more and more" and cutting back because they are short this year due to the economy. Unfortunately, our diocese still increased our ADA goal by 15%...if we don't make that (and it doesn't look like we will) the balance comes out of our already dwindling budget. I was really shocked to hear that and disappointed that the diocese would treat parishes that way. For a giving "goal" to be an actual minimum is sort of deceiving IMNSHO.

[SamH]

Originally Posted by max37

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point? Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

Thanks

What point are you trying to make?

Have you voiced your concern to your parish council?

Years ago I attended church in a community that seemed very hostile to new members. A new parish priest arrived that had the audacity to recommend the leaking roof on the shool be properly repaired. The alter society refused to turn over the money raised at their annual event (designated to denefit the school) because the preist was going to waste it on the school (apparently their solution to the leaking roof was to ask members to donate buckets - I'm being serious). When the next fund raiser rolled around (when we were members of the parish) my wife was informed that she was now a member of the alter society and should prepare a fried chicken, a pie and some other baked goods for the event. Failing to do that we should donate $100 to the alter society (the group that was refusing to give their funds to the shurch). I wrote a check for $200 to the general collection and told the next person that called to stuff it.

[Godfollower]

If the Church were a for-profit enterprise, it might be effective, but I don't see how that will affect a non-profit group.

It does seem kind of rough on the people the parish would've helped with the money being withheld, though.

[Seatuck]

Originally Posted by max37

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point? Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

Thanks

It depends. How involved with your church are you? Are you really in a position to understand the finances. Do they need the money for the basics? Are you willing to explain it in writing the reason that you are not fulfilling your obligation to financially support the church?

Originally Posted by Seatuck

It depends. How involved with your church are you?

somewhat involved, I once taught baptism classes for them, my wife teaches CCD for them. That sort of thing.

Originally Posted by Seatuck

Are you really in a position to understand the finances.

No, I doubt that I am.

Originally Posted by Seatuck

Do they need the money for the basics?

I doubt it. This is a wealthy parish.

Originally Posted by Seatuck

Are you willing to explain it in writing the reason that you are not fulfilling your obligation to financially support the church?

Yes, in fact I began that process this morning, and thought that I should ask this question to see if I am doing the wrong thing.

The bottom line is - they seem to place no importance on the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. They used to have it regularly every Wed. It was all day long with holy hour starting at 7. When a new priest came in, it seemed to be just a hassle for him. He found reasons to cancel it whenever he could. I would show up and it would be "No Exposition/Holy Hour this week". This Summer they have discontinued it entirely from May to September, as if the need for it goes away in time for Summer fun.

The kicker for me was getting a letter with the church envelopes yesterday saying: "Remember, our expenses don't go on vacation - please use our welcome back envelope to contribute for the weeks you missed."

So I was going to write them a letter and say - "Our need for time before the blessed sacrament didn't go on vacation! I'll resume my contributions when exposition comes back.

I know the Mass is the great gift in our religion and that exposition and benediction are not mandatory, but there is sort of a push to "make it go away" in this parish.

I hope this explains a little bit and I hope I don't come off as one of those cranks!

[Mrs Sally]

My parish has an adoration chapel and I know that it is a very big job to ensure that Our Lord has 2 adorers there at all times. We are very blessed to be able to do this.

I wonder if in your parish there were committed adorers there for every hour. Was there a sign up? If the priest was finding that Our Lord was left alone or if he was continually being called into the church because no one else was there, I can see why he might have felt it was safer to stop Exposition during the summer when people's schedules are often inconsistent.

My first step would be to ask him about Exposition and why it was curtailed for the summer. Offer to work with some others to get committed adorers for each hour. Once that is lined up it will be much less of a burden for the priest.

This issue is really completely apart from your parish books. I wouldn't link the two. Sign up to donate whatever you can afford and keep that commitment each week. If you have questions about how the money is spent, address those separately.

I know how beneficial adoration can be, so I pray that you are able to get it back at your parish.

[puzzleannie]

Originally Posted by max37

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point? Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

Thanks

unless you voice your concerns directly to the pastor personally, by phone, email or preferably in writing, in a one-page letter that is direct and to the point and states your case, chances are a boycott will have no effect whatever. the people who count the money pay no attention to who does or does not give, other than to list loose checks. they do not read the envelopes, which are given to the bookkeeper to enter the amounts, and she does not look at anything else, either.

just a note for people with the opposite thought, who wish to contribute to a specific ministry or activity of the parish. Do not put it in the general fund, it will just go toward the general expenses, and not to the "slot" you intended. In addition, the parish will be taxed 7-14% on average to the diocese.

If you want to benefit the school, send it to the school principal and make out the check to St. Mary School with a cover letter. If the school has a separate fund such as building fund, sports boosters, scholarship fund etc. either put that in a cover letter or on the check--ask first how the check should be made out.

If you want your donation to go toward the new roof, make out the check to St. Mary Church and put new roof on the memo line, and also send a cover letter, addressed to the pastor, by mail, with a stamp, not in the collection. Again find out if there is a separate building fund account, and how a check should be written to that account.

If you want your donation to go to CCD, St. Vincent dePaul, for new hymnals, or whatever other use, same rules apply. Find out the exact way the check should be made out. For instance we cannot deposit a check written to the parish in the St. Vincent account, or a check written to the school in the parish account. Mail your check with a cover letter (keep a copy of both for tax reasons) stating precisely how you want your donation used.

If you get a box of envelopes, use them, it does not hurt or help the pastor, but makes life a lot easier for the volunteer counters and the hard-working bookkeeper, and it insures you donation goes where you intend: general fund, building fund, Catholic Charities, special collection etc.

Every diocese has rules (they are actually part of particular law, not guidelines or suggestions) on how money raised by parish groups or special fundraisers must be collected, accounted for and spent. Every diocese and parish is audited on this at regular intervals. This is the "abuse" that is rampant and you don't hear so much about. If the altar society advertises and holds a fundraiser specifically to repair the school roof, and does not spend the money raised in that way, they are violating canon law of the diocese. Any parishioner who has direct knowledge of this should report it as they would any other abuse: first to the pastor, if there is no satisfactory response to the vicar general or whoever else has been appointed to deal with abuse claims.

[1ke]

Originally Posted by max37

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point?

No.

Originally Posted by max37

Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

No it is not a reasonable way to make a point. Monetary support of the parish is not optional, we are obliged to give material support.

It would be a sin against the fifth precept of the Church.

Originally Posted by max37

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

What a bad attitude you have.

The Church gives you the most precious thing on this planet: the Sacraments.

Originally Posted by 1ke

No.



No it is not a reasonable way to make a point. Monetary support of the parish is not optional, we are obliged to give material support.

It would be a sin against the fifth precept of the Church.



What a bad attitude you have.

The Church gives you the most precious thing on this planet: the Sacraments.

Hey Ike - take you insults and invective elsewhere. Then learn some manners. Then learn some understanding, then some compassion, and THEN come talk to me.

[rlg94086]

Originally Posted by max37

I doubt it. This is a wealthy parish.

Max,

Ours is a "wealthy parish" as well. You should not assume that no money is needed. I am on our parish council, and our numbers are down significantly. We have had to cut programs and ask for more money.

We also had a triple whammy going on here: slow economy, popular priest was transfered and neighboring parish moved from a strip mall to their brand new church. We've lost people in what was a growing, thriving, "wealthy" parish. I am praying things will normalize and improve.

Anyway, talk to some of the people on the parish council. Find out what is happening. You may be surprised at some of the issues they are dealing with.

[Middleman]

Yes, I haven't approved of how our parish spends money, therefore have lowered my contributions.

[Orogeny]

Originally Posted by max37

Hey Ike - take you insults and invective elsewhere. Then learn some manners. Then learn some understanding, then some compassion, and THEN come talk to me.

Did you just want to hear from people who agree with you?

Peace

Tim

Originally Posted by Orogeny

Did you just want to hear from people who agree with you?

Peace

Tim

Definitely not. But that post was ignorant and mean-spirited, and showed that he/she had not read all I had said on the matter.

I have this theory that bullies need to be stopped asap.

[ComputerGeek25]

Originally Posted by max37

Has anyone ever decided to stop contributing to their church as a way of making a point? Would this fall under the category of a boycott, which is a reasonable way to make a point?

I ask because I go to a church that continually asks for more and more, and yet the church gives less and less to parishioners.

Thanks

I think we should give our time, talent and treasure to the church. However, if you have a problem with a specific church, you can find another church to attend and support.