Cheapo Amercian Catholics Strike Again - Peter's Pence This Sunday

I often hear the charge that the Vatican is rich and all money goes to Rome. Boy if people knew the truth!!!

This weekend is Peter's Pence where Catholics in a second collection make a contribution to the Vatican. Now it has always struck me that this important contribution is marketed in the worse fashion. If there was some slight build up to it the Holy Father could have much more needed funds.

Zenth news service has a story here at Have a "Pence" for Peter?

What does Peter's Pence do?

From the story:
The Peter's Pence Collection enables the Holy Father to respond with emergency financial assistance to the needy throughout the world, especially those who suffer as a result of war, oppression, disease and natural disaster.

A good idea. When the Holy Father does this he is representing the entire Catholic Faithful.

Now let us look at the number:
According to the latest figures released by the Vatican, the offerings of the faithful worldwide for the Pope's charity amounted to over $100 million in 2006.

Ok I guess that is not so bad but it seems that it could be a lot higher.

What about American Catholics. Catholics that are the most wealthy of Catholics in the World?

This part meant to sound good comes off as so horrible it is unintentionally funny

Bishop John Vlazny of Portland, Oregon, chairman of the conferences' Committee on National Collections, noted with gratitude the "Catholic faithful who stand in solidarity with the needs of Catholics around the world.""Their generous contributions to the Peter's Pence Collection connect them to a centuries-old tradition of providing financial support to the works of the Holy Father. We are also grateful for the leadership of bishops, pastors, and Catholic communicators in this effort," he added..........Last year the U.S. dioceses reported sending over $1.6 million to the Holy Father for this collection. This amount is almost a 6% increase from 2006.

Wow so United States Catholics that number at last count are at 67,515,016 registered members send only 1.6 million? That is pathetic!!

If every Mass Going Catholic gave one dollar it would be much more than that. For people that could afford putting a 10 or 20 would be huge.

Partly I think this is the fault of the Bishops and Priests that don't handle this collection well. Needless to say a little work could create great results

This web page is great that the US Bishops have on Peter's Pence but they have to do much more!!! It is hard to imagine n these days of the internet that it is not happening.

I don't think it is American Catholics do not want to give they are not just asked or prepared to give.

Were you aware that the Vatican has this cool Peter's Pence page. You can even do it by Credit Card!!! What if Catholic Bloggers got involved next year in promoting this cause for the Holy Father. I bet with a few cool internet buttons and few posts all working together that we could help raise a considerable more amount by spreading the word!!!