Catholics to Protest Vatican’s Treatment of Nuns by Not Donating to Peter’s Pence
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2012
Contacts:
Nicole Sotelo: 773.404.0004 x285
Erin Saiz Hanna: 401.588.0457
Catholics to Protest Vatican’s Treatment of Nuns by Not Donating to Peter’s Pence Collection this Weekend
Washington, DC – Leaders of the Nun Justice Project, a group of Catholic organizations that coordinated the recent nationwide vigils, are asking U.S. Catholics to redirect their annual Peter’s Pence contribution from the Vatican to their local communities of women religious. Peter’s Pence is an annual second collection, normally made at the end of June.
"Catholics have already pledged at nunjustice.org over $51,000 to communities of women religious all over the U.S.," said Erin Saiz Hanna, spokesperson for the Nun Justice Project and Executive Director of Women’s Ordination Conference. "I was especially touched by this comment from a Silver Spring, MD woman who pledged $4000: "In the Church, money is power, I say, give the nuns real power, not just the pittance of Peter’s Pence, which will not impress the bishops. Henceforth, I am sending most of my financial support of the Church directly to the nuns." [see below for several additional comments]
"Peter’s Pence donations are frequently used to cover Vatican operating costs even though Catholics are told the money will be used for the Pope’s private charities. There is no public accounting of Peter’s Pence contributions either," said Jim Fitzgerald, spokesperson for the Nun Justice Project and Executive Director of Call To Action. "We think most Catholics would rather support the sisters with their money instead of the injustice and lack of financial transparency in the Vatican."
"U.S. Catholics are inspired by the sisters’ faithfulness to the example of Jesus Christ who cared for the poorest and most marginalized. We give to help them continue their work. At least with the sisters, you know where your money is going," said Hanna.
"At a time when bishops and high ranking church officials are on trial for financial scandals and covering up clergy sex abuse, faithful Catholics are clearly placing their vote of confidence-and their money–with the sisters," concluded FitzGerald.
On June 13, representatives from the Nun Justice Project hand delivered over 57,000 petition signatures to the annual summer meeting of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference. The petition called on Vatican officials to rescind their unjust mandate against the Leadership Conference of Women Religious representing 80% of the 57,000 U.S. nuns.
The Nun Justice Project will continue encouraging national prayer vigils, petition signatures and financial pledges through the summer as members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious meet to determine their response to the Vatican’s crackdown.
Additional comments:
New Albany, OH: $2,000 pledge I gave this amount to these Sisters because I’m tired of the lack of inclusiveness and just plain fairness in my parish and throughout the Church. I hope to give more than the pledge next year.
League City TX. $2,000 pledge : Stop sending money to Rome and see what happens. St. Louis, MO $200 per month pledge: ALL THE Sisters of Saint Joseph Here in St. Louis, MO, and those in Concordia, KS I am a part of the CSJ’s since grade school. NEVER have they behaved or preached or taught anything against church doctrine. The behavior of the Bishops and the Vatican is Shameful and uncalled for.
Iowa City, IA: $100 pledge I will redirect some of my Sunday offering to the sisters instead, on a regular basis.
Sutter CreeK, CA $25 Pledge I am pledging to support the sisters with a small contribution rather than the Bishop’s Appeal & have sent him a letter regarding this.
* Jason Berry’s recent book Render Unto Rome: the Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church exposes a shocking misuse of charitable donations by people who administer the finances of the Catholic Church. An investigative journalist, Berry’s meticulous documentation reveals that Peter’s Pence donations are frequently used to cover Vatican operating expenses. There is no public accounting of Peter’s Pence contributions as would be expected of other charitable organizations in the U.S. and around the world.