Sarah Silverman, she of the potty mouth and comedy specials, may be on to something Jesus suggested. In a profane comedy clip that is making the youtube rounds, (no way I am posting it here and I am not recommending you watch it just for the record), Silverman suggests that if the Catholic Church sold the Vatican it could go about the business of feeding the world’s hungry. This of course is a ridiculous idea, or is it?
If the Catholic church actually knew that selling its treasures and buildings, not everywhere, but say just the City State of the Vatican, could provide historic levels of relief to the neediest out there, isn’t this the kind of action Jesus might suggest they take? The realities of the proposal are pretty ridiculous, after all how can you sell a country? But the idea is intriguing, especially with the countless treasures stored up over years of archiving and excess in the Vatican. The Catholic Church does more to provide healing and food for the needy than any other private organization in the world, but is there a willingness to give where it hurts?
Of course the same could be said about many churches whose finances are so locked into property and valuables and perhaps it should be a question that more churches should ask. I think especially about historic churches in urban areas where they are barely sustainable but are sitting on absolutely huge property values. If a church of 50 people is meeting in a building worth millions of dollars wouldn’t the more Christian thing be to sell the property, use it to start churches around the globe or give it to relief organizations and rent a space to gather?
I don’t want to give Sarah Silverman, who is no fan of religion at all, more credit than she deserves, but there is some truth in her question.
October 16, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I appreciate the question of your post: are churches willing to give when it hurts?
However, I would like to question the size of the gift you suggested. Let’s avoid for a moment the sale of one of the most remarkable expressions of worship through art and architecture in history and just look at the large chunk of change its sale would procure.
Since the 1950s the West (North America and Europe) have given trillions of dollars in aid to struggling countries around the world. And what is the effect? Most people are only slightly better off now than in the 1950s. Why?
Simply put: corruption. Governments, gangs, corporations and local thugs prevent what the West gives from ever reaching those it was intended to help.
But if we could create a scenario where the money we give in the West could actually be guaranteed to reach those who are starving, then I would suggest it would be nearly sinful for us not to give (especially to hungry believers around the world).
October 16, 2009 at 8:27 pm
That of course is the major issue, it is nearly impossible to actually go about feeding the poorest of the poor because of the corruption, lack of infrastructure and generally abysmal conditions around the neediest, hundreds of billions of dollars wouldn’t even solve the problem, at least not easily.
October 19, 2009 at 7:44 am
The thing is they wouldn’t even have to sell the whole thing to change the world. When I was there in 2005, between the Vatican museum and St. Peter’s Basilica the display of wealth was staggering, I wasn’t so sure it was a gift to God, or just another tower of Babel.
I asked the tour guide what it was all worth… The response was that at last assessment that the RC church had control of roughly 6 Trillion dollars in assets…
October 19, 2009 at 7:46 am
Of course there also has to be a market to purchase. You can have a billion dollar building, but if no one is willing to pay the price, then it’s only worth what the market will bear.
October 19, 2009 at 9:57 am
Very true, they wouldn’t even have to sell the country, maybe just some of the art work. But again it is more of a challenging idea than one with any sort of reality to it. They could sell of some pieces just to help pay for the care of the elderly nuns and priests that they can’t afford. That would also be faithful.
October 19, 2009 at 9:53 am
I am assuming that since you know about the clip you have watched it. What is the big deal about not posting it here or not suggesting your readers watch it? Should we be afraid to watch a pottymouth comic? They are everywhere.
Of course, the question posed isn’t one only to be asked of the church Catholic, but to the body of normal everyday people who call themselves Christian. We might all look squarely in the mirror and ask ourselves why we don’t share so well with others. The wealth in my immediate midst in light of the poverty a little ways down the road is rather horrifying. How come we don’t really care? Our idols really need to come crashing down. I know mine do…why do I grasp so tight?
October 19, 2009 at 10:01 am
I didn’t know much about the clip when I watched it and I would be better for not having watched it. The idea is a worthy enough discussion without subjecting yourself to something so intentionally unholy.
But you are correct the question is an easier one to ask of the Vatican, they are a comfortable target after all, but difficult to ask of ourselves. It would be great if the people who want to ask the questions would be willing to make the sacrifice first.