No accountability for the Catholic Church

[Nihilist Virus]

Assume 1/3 of Catholics do not attend church; assume 1/3 of Catholics attend church only on special occasions, such as Easter; assume 1/3 of Catholics attend church regularly.  Therefore, 400 million Catholics regularly attend church.

Assume that for every 5 Catholics, there is 1 father, 1 mother, and 3 children.  Therefore there are (400 million)/5=80 million regular attendees who have the capacity to donate.  Assume that of the regular attendees who are able to donate, 1/3 donate nothing, 1/3 donate 1% regularly, and 1/3 donate 10% regularly.  Assume that the average Catholic household earns $9K after taxes annually (Google "average income worldwide" to see average income is $10K, so I put it at $9K after taxes).

This puts a low estimate of the Catholic Church's tax-free annual income at (80 million)(1/3)(0.01)($9K)+ (80 million)(1/3)(0.1)($9K)=$26.4 billion.  Is the Catholic Church providing $26.4 billion worth of services per year?

Item 1: ratio of declared Christians to church-goers = 9:1. ref; numerous studies.
So you're looking at a pool of ~ 100,000,000 regulars.
I doubt if many donate as much as 10% of income, tithing is a characteristically protestant thing, typically the weekly collection plate is an assortment of small change in the bottom of pockets, a few foreign coins and a couple of buttons. You'll only see bank notes on special occasions.
The real money spinners are hatches, matches and dispatches so you'd have to look at hire of a church for said functions.
There is also the various education services funded by governments that appear on the Dr side of the balance sheet.

What is your estimate of their income?

[Mr Greene]

Globally? The bulk are in Africa and South America, so income will be subsistence level.
I'd have to base the church's income on marriage rates for stated countries, possibly also death rates. 
Regular services I'd expect to be run at a loss.

[Neo-Scholastic]

The Church of Rome is also the single largest owner of real estate in the world. Make of that what you will. And certainly the greatest art collection ever. At the same time, any landlord can tell you that maintaining real estate assets is a very costly enterprise even if your income is tax exempt. Then there is the issue of personnel. While many priests etc. only receive a small stipend for personal use they nevertheless have all their living expenses paid including housing and medical. Railing against the Church is a popular pass-time and with over 2000 years of history there is plenty to criticize. As for me, I'm not particularly concerned about the financials of the Church.

[Doubting Thomas]

It's just that if they're going to preach "help the poor" they ought to lead by example. It would be far easier for the church to buy a bunch of food for people who are starving than I personally could, if I were still Catholic. Yet they keep raking in donations via the collection basket while exhorting followers to help the less fortunate. It's like some religious version of trickle-down economics.

[Catholic_Lady]

Catholicism isn't an "organization." It's a belief system. Despite whatever wrongdoings Catholic individuals have done in the past and will surely continue to do (as we don't claim to be perfect), you can't simply forbid someone from being a Catholic. 

That's like saying that since there have been sexual assault cover ups by people working in schools and colleges, education should no longer be allowed.

[GrandizerII]

Should not the church provide an example to its followers, though?

It's worth looking at the preceding passage for context.

16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?”

Matthew 19:16-20

So Jesus answer is to how one is to obtain eternal life [in heaven].  This is the same concern that the church has for its members, the body of Christ.  Is this responsibility most ably discharged by dispossessing itself of all its possessions?  I don't think so.  I think that just as a father and mother have a duty to maintain a household for the benefit of their children, the church has a duty to maintain its influence in this world because the eternal fate of many souls depends on it.

So we see that at its root, the church is exercising the same concern which motivated the advice to the man in Matthew.  However, the best way to fulfill that concern differs for each.  It is not a matter of providing a model for behavior, as both are motivated by the same concern.  It's the practical ramifications of their respective responsibilities concerning the issue which are irreconcilably different.  It makes no sense for the church to act as just another parishioner given its responsibilities.

You have to look at that passage within the context of Jesus' eschatological views. He wasn't expecting any fancy Catholic building in the far future with men of God wearing exquisite robes and adorned with expensive ornaments. No, he was expecting the end of the world to come in his days.

[Catholic_Lady]

It's just that if they're going to preach "help the poor" they ought to lead by example.  It would be far easier for the church to buy a bunch of food for people who are starving than I personally could, if I were still Catholic.  Yet they keep raking in donations via the collection basket while exhorting followers to help the less fortunate.  It's like some religious version of trickle-down economics.

Part of the collection basket money does go to the poor. And they often also have a second collection at the end of mass that goes entirely to the poor.

[Minimalist]

The Church of Rome is also the single largest owner of real estate in the world.

I wonder how they square that with jesus' bullshit?

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 18:22

Holy Horseshitters!

[Pat Mustard]

Don't forget all of the donations upon death. That little extra heaven grease.

Marriages too. You can expect to pay over a four figure sum or more to get a chirch wedding in Ireland.

[brewer]

Don't forget all of the donations upon death. That little extra heaven grease.

Marriages too. You can expect to pay over a four figure sum or more to get a chirch wedding in Ireland.

Talk to someone who has gotten a catholic annulment. You pay those 4 figures minimum and don't get a party.