Collection Plates Empty As Backlash Builds Against NJ's 'Bishop Of Bling'

[DonViejo]

ERIC LACH – MARCH 3, 2014, 11:11 AM EST

Churchgoing Catholics in New Jersey are closing their wallets to the church following reports that the Archbishop of Newark is having a large addition built on the already-large home where he will spend his retirement, The Newark Star Ledger reported on Sunday.

The Newark Archdiocese's plan to build a $500,000 addition to the retirement home for Archbishop John Myers received press attention last month, prompting a public backlash. One Star-Ledger reader wrote a letter to the editor dubbing Myers the "Bishop of Bling."

In its story on Sunday, the Star-Ledger spoke with parishioners, some of whom said they were cutting off contributions to the church entirely, and others who said they would still support local parishes but won't give to the archdiocese's annual fundraising appeal. A spokesperson for the archbishop told the newspaper that the annual appeal has in recent years brought in between $10 million and $11 million.

"We need to start an ‘empty envelope month’ to replace the archbishop’s annual appeal," Maria Bozza told the Star-Ledger. "If parishioners in every church in the Newark Archdiocese sent in an empty envelope, then they will get the message."

more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/newark-archbishop-funds

[cbayer]

1. Good I would like to see him sent to the barest monastery they can find.

[Hoppy]

2. --ain't gonna happen,

as per some of the priests who don't support Myers, there is nothing they can do about it.

This guy has also had trouble with his protection of pedophile priests.

[cbayer]

3. It would be his superiors that could do something.

His involvement in the pedophilia scandal is heinous. I would love to see the vatican step in here and make an example of him.

[No Vested Interest]

4. I have, in the past, refused participation in the annual Archdiocesan Appeal, though

I wanted to support some of the causes of that fundraising, for example, the retired priests' fund.
It is usually possible to send a check directly to the specific organization -ex. Catholic Charities- and not have it a part of the annual
archdiocesan fundraising.

My objections were to pre-election political statements I did not support.

[cbayer]

5. Are you in this diocese?

[No Vested Interest]

6. No. I'm in the Cincinnati Archdiocese.

I do believe one should continue to support one's parish if/when one is using, or wishes to use in the future, the services. One should not be a freeloader.

[cbayer]

7. Would love to hear from some catholic DUers from New Jersey on this.

It's good to know that you can direct your funds in some ways. This man needs to get a message and the more press the better, imo.

[rug]

8. In my parish the priest reads announcements before the Mass starts.

Yesterday he said the parish has taken a hit due to all the snow this winter. He hoped we could make up the difference in the plowing and heating bills with a little extra donation "if you can". He's a younger priest, six years since his ordination, and he looked uncomfortable asking.

After he read the Gospel,

Gospel mt 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?
Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

he started his sermon with a big grin. "Let me put that in context."

[cbayer]

9. A very nice passage and one that even a non-believer like myself can be inspired by.

When I read that, I think of priorities. I think about how loving other people, treating them well, enjoying the day and putting aside petty worries and peevishness is something worth doing.

These are the kinds of messages that I was raised with.

When one perceives "god" metaphorically, there is much good that can be taken from various religions.

And again, I feel that we all have more in common than we have differences.

I hope your parish is able to get what it needs.

Thanks for sharing this.

[rug]

10. If it wasn't from the Sermon on the Mount, i'd have guessed it was Buddhist.

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.

[cbayer]

12. Exactly.

[No Vested Interest]

11. I'm sure most priests dislike asking for money. - They entered the priesthood for spiritual-

mostly idealistic- reasons, and likely never gave the financial aspects much thought until faced with the nitty-gritty of running a parish.

And, no doubt, the winter of 2014 has kept many away from church, including me yesterday.

However, my spouse, 12-14 years ago, elected for electronic giving, whereby a set amount is deducted monthly from the checking account, so the parish gets its donation regularly, whether I attend or not. I did modify the amount downward slightly when my spouse died. So, when I'm out-of-town, as I was for the past 2 months, my donations go on, which is only right, since the parish costs go on in my absence. Of course, I need to contribute to the church I attend while vacationing, but, it's not on the level of my parish donations.

[rug]

13. I wish I was that organized.

[No Vested Interest]

14. Spouse was an engineer = organized.

I'm so glad those things were taken care of, as one thing I hate is fumbling in wallets as the basket is making its way towards me. The basket is usually in front of me before I've located what needs to be found.

[cbayer]

19. So sorry for the loss of your spouse and glad

you have a community that supports you.

Being in a fairly complementary marriage myself, I can't even imagine how I might adjust if lost lost my better half.

[Humanist_Activist]

15. Wow, would be nice if Catholics did the same when things like this happen.

its old, but relevant.

http://ncronline.org/news/politics/dioceses-major-contributors-repeal-same-sex-marriage

[cbayer]

16. They do. Are you not aware of the data about american catholics and glbt rights?

How about the numbers of people who have said they have left their churches over this issue.

No? Then what about the catholic organizations that have taken the church on regarding this issue?

Or did you merely see this positive move as an opportunity to snipe at the catholics you don't think are doing enough?

[Humanist_Activist]

17. I'm aware of their opinions through polling data, I'm not aware of how many of them boycott...

their local Archdiocese over the issue. You can materially support the fight against marriage equality while saying you support it, its called being hypocritical or practicing cognitive dissonance.

ON EDIT: To be frank, I don't care about the issue in the OP one way or the other, let them waste their money on building a Bishop's mansion, its no more a waste than spending money to keep the gilded roofs on cathedrals from collapsing.

[cbayer]

18. And, as pointed out even in this thread, you can direct your support to the causes

that you want to and withhold it from those you don't.

In doing so, the are practicing cognitive harmony and intellectual honesty, most likely traits that they learned through their childhood indoctrination.

[Humanist_Activist]

20. Like the Catholic Charities example? A group that openly discriminates against LGBT people?

Why should I be impressed with this?

[cbayer]

21. There have been some issues around adoption and foster care, I am aware of that.

But other than that, I haven't seen any discrimination in the provision of services.

During the AIDS crisis in New Orleans, Catholic Charities was one of the biggest providers of services to the gay population.

Without them, it would have been much, much worse.

[Humanist_Activist]

22. And that excuses their current discriminatory practices? n/t

[cbayer]

23. Of course it does not. Where do I say that?

Apparently unlike you, I support those catholics who choose to stay that are using the means at their disposal to influence the church.

In this case, I applaud the parishioners who are withholding or redirecting their funds.

I am also hopeful that the press this is getting will prod his superiors into taking some action.

The democrats do some things I don't like as well. That doesn't mean that I take every opportunity to point out their failures, even when presented with a success.

Of course, there are those that do that, even here on DU.

[Humanist_Activist]

24. What means? Materially supporting the Church, regardless of what it does? How does that...

influence it in any positive manner?

I applaud those who put their money where their mouth is and starve the beast, but only when they actually do so, NOT when they redirect it to other discriminatory organizations. If you want to influence the Catholic Church, then stop funding it.

[cbayer]

25. By withholding financial support, as this particular group is doing.

Are you getting the point of this article?

The parishioners are voicing their disapproval by withholding their usual financial contributions.

They are doing exactly what you say you applaud, so let's see you give them some applause.

Come one, I know you can do it.

Here, I will go first….

[Humanist_Activist]

27. Don't misunderstand me, I don't give a fuck about some expansion of a greedy Bishops retirement...

home.

That's an internal church matter, and frankly I don't care about those, I just wish Catholics would mobilize to withhold funds when it actually matters.

ON EDIT: To be frank, I would prefer the Church waste its money on useless things like this or maintaining their buildings, anything that reduces their ability to try to influence secular society I applaud.

[cbayer]

28. I suspect you might not be satisfied whatever they do.

I would prefer they use more of their money to expand the care and services they provide for those most marginalized and in need in this world.

They already do more of that than just about any group, but there is always more to be done.

[Humanist_Activist]

30. I'd be satisfied if they changed the catechism on homosexuality, or, at the very least...

stop trying to influence secular governments to discriminate against LGBT people, attempt to ban contraception and abortion, etc.

And you illustrated EXACTLY why the Catholic Church needs to be defunded, secular alternatives need to be supported to take its place, its too big and too influential.

[cbayer]

32. I would like that very much as well and am anxious to see if the cardinals make

any movement in that direction at all.

I would also love to see secular alternatives take over, but until they do, I can not support pulling the rug out from under those who need it most in this world.

I just can't.

[Humanist_Activist]

34. How can secular alternatives have a chance with the Church already there?

The issue isn't that people will do without if the Catholic Church doesn't get the funding necessary to help with some charity, other organizations will step up, and hopefully with proper support from governments and individuals, but the first step is to address that donation you were going to give to a group that openly discriminates to one that doesn't.

[cbayer]

35. I'm sorry, but is that question really serious or sincere?

There is so much to do, so many holes and gaps, so many needs unmet.

The church barely scratches the surface of what is needed to take care of the poor and mistreated of this world. Any secular agency that wants to step up to the plate just needs to do it.

You think that if the church leaves and creates some kind of vacuum, it's just going to happen? Not a chance. Make them unnecessary. That would be a wonderful day.

Which ones do you support and what are they doing?

I may be able to stop rolling my eyes over your post by the end of the night. Maybe.

[skepticscott]

29. In other words

you haven't seen any discrimination, other than the discrimination.

And nice that you've euphemized bigotry to "issues". Apologetics at its finest.

[Humanist_Activist]

31. You have to understand, to people like cbayer, religious beliefs are more important than civil...

rights.

[skepticscott]

36. Well, at least be grateful

that she hasn't accused you of advocating genocide for suggesting that Catholic "social services" aren't worth the cost. She's done that here before.

[aquart]

26. What kind of retirement do the nuns get?

Defrock this schnurrer.

[No Vested Interest]

33. Retired nuns, like all members of religious orders, share in the funds of their religious

communities, from various sources.

They do receive Social Security payments, based on their earnings, like all others who pay into the SSI system.
I presume the SSI payments are turned over to the order and used for the benefit of all.

There is also an annual national collection for the benefit of retired religious.