"So what can be done? I think the Holy See needs to commit, like yesterday, to some serious crisis fundraising, and get creative about how it does so."
First of all, to raise money you have to ask. And our arrogant and incompetent clergy from the parish to the Vatican simply do not speak to the laity about money. They will not put themsel…
"So what can be done? I think the Holy See needs to commit, like yesterday, to some serious crisis fundraising, and get creative about how it does so."
First of all, to raise money you have to ask. And our arrogant and incompetent clergy from the parish to the Vatican simply do not speak to the laity about money. They will not put themselves in a position of having to ask the laity for something, risk being asked questions or to explain and detail the reasons of the need it and provide some guarantees it will be spent for the stated purpose.
Today, if I expressed just a passing interest in most any non-Catholic charity, I would be taken to lunch, presented with detailed financial reports and hear on and on about the mission of the charity, its structure and its internal controls and engaged and have any questions answered. And for the charities I am on the Board of, the roles would be reversed, and I would be buying lunch and answering questions and spending time in conversation. And I would do it regardless if it was a potential major donor or someone highly unlikely to be able to make a contribution, because I enjoy talking about my charity and our work and even to non-donors believe we should be transparent and accountable.
At best, our clergy will pass around a collection basket that entails no conversation with the laity.
"So what can be done? I think the Holy See needs to commit, like yesterday, to some serious crisis fundraising, and get creative about how it does so."
First of all, to raise money you have to ask. And our arrogant and incompetent clergy from the parish to the Vatican simply do not speak to the laity about money. They will not put themselves in a position of having to ask the laity for something, risk being asked questions or to explain and detail the reasons of the need it and provide some guarantees it will be spent for the stated purpose.
Today, if I expressed just a passing interest in most any non-Catholic charity, I would be taken to lunch, presented with detailed financial reports and hear on and on about the mission of the charity, its structure and its internal controls and engaged and have any questions answered. And for the charities I am on the Board of, the roles would be reversed, and I would be buying lunch and answering questions and spending time in conversation. And I would do it regardless if it was a potential major donor or someone highly unlikely to be able to make a contribution, because I enjoy talking about my charity and our work and even to non-donors believe we should be transparent and accountable.
At best, our clergy will pass around a collection basket that entails no conversation with the laity.