tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post7009070998898799288..comments2023-12-16T16:17:43.886+00:00Comments on Fr Ray Blake's Blog: Lawyers issue alert over new test for Christian charitiesFr Ray Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-26260025603219131862007-06-16T01:20:00.000+01:002007-06-16T01:20:00.000+01:00What Damian says is interesting, I think it is unf...What Damian says is interesting, I think it is unfair of him to tar the other branches of the Mercy Sisters with this, I hope he will name which ones here, there aren't that many so this seems to cast a certain aspergion on all.<BR/><BR/>However the Charity Commissioner would not accept the transfer of one charities funds to another.Fr Ray Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-11118251383699274412007-06-15T22:55:00.000+01:002007-06-15T22:55:00.000+01:00"There is one branch of the Mercy Sisters in Brita..."There is one branch of the Mercy Sisters in Britain that is sitting on £40m liquid capital and is reluctant to give any of the interest to deserving Catholic causes beyond minimal subventions."<BR/><BR/>If this is the case (and I am not dis-believing you), I can't see how it can be morally justified. <BR/><BR/>There are a number of very worthwhile Catholic organisations in this country, loyal to the magisterium, as well as good solid charities like 'Aid to the Church in Need' and 'The Good Counsel Network' who would benefit hugely in their work if some of this money was donated to them. Surely the Sisters of Mercy don't need this amount of "liquid capital"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-75868796386910696722007-06-14T21:08:00.000+01:002007-06-14T21:08:00.000+01:00I suggest this approach.The "useful public benefit...I suggest this approach.<BR/><BR/>The "useful public benefit" of Catholic parishes is that in them a faith is taught and preached which imposes on believers a religious obligation, binding on the conscience, for the sake of God to honour the civil authorities as His ministers, to practise good citizenship, keep the peace, obey the law and pay lawful taxes. If in public service the Catholic must serve with unblemished integrity, and must willingly fight and die for his country if called to arms in a just cause.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-82476806111468501632007-06-14T11:05:00.000+01:002007-06-14T11:05:00.000+01:00This issue has been forced by the increasing numbe...This issue has been forced by the increasing number of failing religious Orders that are sitting on vast capital accrued by land sales and the inability to carry on their apostolic work due to infirmity or small numbers. They are mainly nineteenth-century foundations. There is one branch of the Mercy Sisters in Britain that is sitting on £40m liquid capital and is reluctant to give any of the interest to deserving Catholic causes beyond minimal subventions. It is unethical to hoard capital on this scale. Should this legislation go through, the active Orders are partly to blame. Unfortunately, the weakest sector is formed by the enclosed, contemplative Orders who do not have an active apostolate. They should be given exemption and I suspect that their title deeds, which give them charitable status, might help. It is Orders that are unable, or unwilling, to carry out their apostolates that are the likeliest to be regulated. Effectively they are breaking the law by retaining charitable status while failing to carry out the work that entitles them to it. The solution to this predicament largely lies in their own hands. A distribution of income made in accordance with their original purpose would give them greater protection. On the Continent many declining Orders have dispersed their capital, retaining enough to look after the residue of religious until they die. In this way, they continue to live the vow of poverty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com