Church should be poor?

[Rolltide]

Originally Posted by St Francis

The question posed is a common one that Catholics face. (I am surprised that Episcopalians don't face it too--they also own some beautiful property.)

So it's a question that needs to be addressed lest it form a barrier to the questioner's turning to the Fullness of Faith.

ETA: The answer also reveals more of the Catholic Faith, and that too is important.

For that matter, why don't the Orthodox get asked this question? Most of their churches are stunning!

Another point is that you can't really sell many of these churches and cathedrals and turn them into anything else anyway. What could you possibly do with them??? That said, I would expect that any future Sistine Chapel Starbucks would genuinely strive to have better-than-average coffee... lol (I'm NOT holding my breath!)

[imkingdad]

Originally Posted by aball1035

I have a protestant friend who says that the Catholic Church isn't doing the right thing by creating all these magnificent cathedrals and expensive religious monuments and the like. The Church should be poor and help people. He says

"While they are beautiful, I think they are superfluous. I think they go against what the rest of the gospel/bible talks about. There is a constant theme of social justice, giving to the poor and the call for the distribution of wealth."

What do you all think of this?

----------------------
Where is your protestant friend's Criticism of those Mega-Churches & their philosophy of Gain with God. Seems a little hypocritical of him when every church - His Included - begs for Money to do works of Goodness whether for their own, their community or those far away. Hard to feed the Hungry with empty coffers. hard to shelter your flock without a building.

His comment was probably just a cheap shot at the Church as his double-standard clearly demonstrates.

Lastly many of these Cathedrals were made over decades by the voluntary labor of love of the local artisans & craftsmen. Built with materials that were donated or paid for by the people in addition to their regular Church contributions. In short, People suffered & sacrificed to build an edifice to glorify God, to house their hopes & dreams and all they held sacred. A place where they could gather to worship God & to gather the sheaves that would be used to feed His flock. A base from which God's Message could be sent forth into the world.

I hope this helps & that you can use it to correct your friends 'vision' problem.

Yours in Christ

[rtconstant]

Originally Posted by aball1035

I have a protestant friend who says that the Catholic Church isn't doing the right thing by creating all these magnificent cathedrals and expensive religious monuments and the like. The Church should be poor and help people. He says

"While they are beautiful, I think they are superfluous. I think they go against what the rest of the gospel/bible talks about. There is a constant theme of social justice, giving to the poor and the call for the distribution of wealth."

What do you all think of this?

When I hear this I always wonder if those people would be willing to give away all of their possessions? After all they seem to have very strong convictions about that. Also Evangelicals like going all out on their Churches when they're successful as well. And why not? It shows respect.