A U.S.-based organization of Catholic business executives has decided not to collect from its members the portion of their dues that would constitute its 2019 donation to the Holy See.
Legatus, an organization of Catholic business leaders, had announced in September that it was placing its annual donation to the Holy See in escrow until it can receive clarification on questions of financial accountability.
Thomas Monaghan, chairman of Legatus, wrote its member Nov. 16 asking them to continue to pray “for the Church and all of our leaders,” as “it is evident that it is going to take time for the current crisis in the Church to be addressed to the point where the Board believes the reinstatement of our annual tithe would be prudent.”
For that reason, he said, the board of governors has decided “to forego collecting the annual tithe represented in your 2019 dues.”
Monaghan noted that the tithe to the Holy See “has been an importance part of Legatus membership” and the board therefore intends “to reinstate this practice once we have sufficient communication regarding the specific accountability related to the use of these funds.”
“The Board will revisit this topic by the fall of 2019 in order to chart a plan related to the 2020 dues,” he stated.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Legatus’ 2018 tithe to the Holy See would have been about $820,000.
When announcing the decision in September to withhold the tithe, Monaghan said that members had raised questions “specifically pertaining to how it is being used, and what financial accountability exists within the Vatican for such charitable contributions.”
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Laudato Si!
Legatus No!
Tell Pope Francis NO ANSWERS NO DOUGH
Viva Legatus!
About time these guys in the Vatican were held accountable.
There is still $25 million given to the “Papal Foundation” that has yet to be accounted for:
https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/wuerl-masterminded-25-million-papal-foundation-grant-to-vatican
If they won’t account for financial support, is it within the realm of probability that they won’t account for the scandals and abuses?
This is an excellent example of lay faithful putting appropriate pressure on Vatican. Let’s see if it will be ignored>
The Knights of Columbus must do likewise
It’s too bad Legatus has chosen to do this now. Although there were scandals under Pope Benedict XVI and St. Pope John Paul II (probably the worst scandals occurred during his papacy), no such action was taken. This action appears to be political rather than instructive or corrective.
Nobody’s stopping you from giving.
Maybe Legatus was tired of being deceived, given the scandals noted in your posting. This is a nice analogy
to “Three strikes.”
As an alternative to to withholding the funds, would it he possible to consider giving the contribution to worthy apostolates with proven credibility? To name a few:
Little Sisters of the Poor in San Pedro
Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
St. Vincent de Paul Society
It is not supposed to be instructive or corrective. Rather, it is meant to send a persuasive message.
William,
There have been scandals in the Church ever since Judas betrayed Our Lord and St. Peter (predecessor to Francis and every other Pope) denied Him three times. We had the scandals under the Borgia and Medici Popes, plus other Popes fleeing Rome for Avignon. Sexual debauchery and depravity not only followed them, but was prevalent among bishops, priests, Curia Cardinals and relegious.
Just because Francis and his predecessors chose to be soft, it, does not mean that it should continue. And, the more it is delayed, the more severe the consequences will be.
Since the Church’s leadership has no regard for the deposit of faith through eithrt Sacred Scripture or Sacred Tradition, it would not be surprising at all if it reverts to acts of “simony”:
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14001a.htm
While it may be difficult to discuss, there is a distinct possibility that each diocese may actually transfer cash and other assets to “shell organizations”, charitable trusts and other entities, domestic or off-shore, in order to insulate themselves from financial liability.
I recall that while Bishop of Milwaukee, then Bp. Timothy Dolan (now Cdl. Dolan, Abp. of New York) was able to shelter $57 million from being attached for settlement of abuse claims.