REGINA: So where do you stand now?
STEVE: We still contribute our obligation to our parish, but the excess is supporting Catholic causes outside of our diocese.
REGINA: Do you think that other wealthy people are also troubled by what they are contributing to?
STEVE: If you are an informed member of the laity, I do not know how you cannot be troubled.
These are intelligent people, so I believe they are troubled.
REGINA: What are they doing about it?
STEVE: The problem lies that many devout Church members have limited resources for finding alternatives in lieu of contributing directly to their parish or diocese.
Who do you trust?
REGINA: That’s exactly why we are doing this ‘Safe Spaces for Catholic Money’ series. Every dollar contributed today is far more valuable than it was in the past -- mainly due to the lack of contributions that have resulted from people a) leaving the Church, b) not attending Mass, and c) not willing any of their estate to the Church.
Do you think that wealthy contributors are aware of this fact?
STEVE: Probably not.
REGINA: Are wealthy people thinking about all of this?
STEVE: I do hear of others considering reducing their contributions that make their way to the bishops.
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