Sell the Vatican, Feed the Poor?

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When I first visited the Vatican, I expected to hear someone make this remark: "Look at how much money the Church has. They should use this to help the poor instead of horde it all to themselves."

But honestly, the immediate irony of the person saying that was astonishing to me. Let’s start by admitting something. St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most laudable achievements of human art, design, engineering, and frankly, guts. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and it’s overwhelming when you stand in there.

So, yes, it required a significant investment of resources and time to complete. But when people make this criticism, I can’t help but question the sincerity of it, especially when it’s someone who stood in line to get in to see it. If you’re so indignant about the moral compromises required to create that masterpiece, then why are you there viewing and enjoying it?

The fact that he was there, touring it, shows that he has some measure of appreciation for the fact that it exists. And this was no small effort on his part. He flew halfway around the world to see it, like I did. You wouldn’t catch me, or most people, doing that to see Oprah’s house.

And for the person who made this vocal complaint to the rest of the tour group, as someone who is positioning himself as a champion of the poor, so thoroughly invested in their cause, I find it surprising that in his labouring for their benefit, he somehow escaped being confronted with the fact that the Catholic Church, does more to care for the needs of the poor than any other organization on the planet. And yet, this is the first complaint made when visiting the landmark that sits at the heart of the Catholic Church?

Music written and generously provided by Paul Jernberg. Find out more about his work as a composer here: http://pauljernberg.com

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