I was over at A Twitch upon the Thread and saw this reference to the regular insanity that comes up from time to time. See Cardinal Says International Law Precludes Sale of Vatican Art for African Food
First let me say I don't like the Cardinal's answer. I just wished he would be blunt and say that would be stupid.Why can't we be honest and blunt at times.
Can one imagine the outrage if President Obama said in order to help people in these economic times I am putting all the treasures of the Smithsonian up for sale. Please show up in two weeks on the National mall for the biggest yard sell ever. What if the powers that be pressured that wonderful art museum in Chicago to sell all their works to help the poor.I suppose the Chinese could buy them they are buying the rest of our debt.
What is the difference? Why is art the first thing on people chopping block
It is stupid because the benefits would be short term but the long term loss to the public and society would be devastating. Do we really benefit long term if the Betsy Ross flag is in Ross Perot's private collection rather than on the mall. Does the world really benefit long term if they have to ask Bill Gates to see some important piece of art that is linked to the most intimate Christian devotion.
There are reason why even during the Great Depression FDR did not sell off our most precious treasures!!! In fact in some way he went the opposite direction and encouraged more art!!
I just find it baffling that people see such things as art as so not part of the Christian faith. These beautiful Churches in America and across the world were not just built because Bishops wanted it. It was because the very poor working class demanded they be built. They knew beauty was a critical part of the logos and they wanted to be feel part of that aspect of the Divine.
There seems to be a conception that the Pope lives in some palace. The Pope actually lives in a rather bland apartment at the Vatican. He is not sleeping among the museum pieces for goodness sakes.
The Catholic Church and the Vatican in many ways has responsibility to guard these treasures not just for me and descendants but for the world. Just like the President needs to make sure the treasures of the Smithsonian Institution are not sold to an banker in Austria for some short term cash
The Vatican doesn't have to sell their art to feed the poor. The Roman Catholic Church net revenues are in the billions! They're one of, if not the, largest landowners in the world (tax free). They generate most of their revenues (Peter's Pence) through contributions from Roman Catholics around the world. They issue their own coins, have their own bank and charge for tourist fees, stamps and memorabilia. Their largest expenditure, defending allegation of child sexual abuse. Better question: Why don't people see the Vatican City as a the center for some of the richest, most powerful and perverse filth they are?
ReplyDelete"the pope can't make bread from stone, but he surely makes a lot of dough."