Depending on the order, many are not permitted to own anything on their own. In addition to being celibate, poverty is also sometimes (not always) a vow they take.
Goes to show that sexual abuse is not tied to celibacy. The so-called "big house" is probably owned by the church, and is provided by its attendees. When he is reassigned by his bishop, he will leave it behind. I know a Baptist Church in Anchorage whose parsonage is a mansion, and that church provides housing for the teachers at their religious private school as well. Many universities are now providing housing for professors...not to mention the White House. That also is provided to the occupant free of charge.
It seems odd to me that they would give you access to view their bank accounts. I'm not Catholic but the only times that I have known what my pastors were earning was when I served as the church treasurer, and, even then, I only knew what the church paid them. We didn't pay them a lot, but they did have the parsonage. Most of them did other things for a living as well. It wasn't uncommon for the pastor's wife to have a full-time job and the pastor of the last church that I was a member of taught classes at a Christian college. I've never been particularly interested in knowing how much money someone else has, and it certainly wouldn't have occurred to me to ask someone to let me see their bank account. There are things that are my business, and then there are things that aren't. Unlike the Catholics, a lot of Protestant churches want a pastor who is married with children and, although the pastor's wife is not a paid employee, she is almost universally expected to to host women's Bible studies, teach Sunday School, and serve in many other ways in the church.
May I be so bold as to ask, what is “Extreme” born again? If there is an extreme born again then there must be a “mild” or a “medium” born again. Dunno. I just do not remember there being an “extreme” designation with regard to salvation anywhere in my Bible. Perhaps…zealot might be appropriate but then again, aren’t we all supposed to be zealous about our beliefs? Now, so far as the Big Priest in your town, he has everyone in his congregation looking to him for leadership. No doubt he has a hospital and jail ministry not to mention counciling young people before officiating at their wedding and how about all those funerals he has to do? It’s a 24/7, 365 day a year position that takes a very special, well prayed up type of mentality to handle and still remain sane.
I think that means something like, "I want to make it to heaven but not, like, all the way there, and I don't give a damn whether anyone gets there or not."
The extreme born again, I'll comment on. She goes around to most of the apts putting books and flyers in doors, calling people in our apt bldg "wicked" and almost knocked in my door with slandering crap and the gal upstairs got a lot of hard NOISE from her too....these 2 occasions were Extreme.. the [police officer came both times and there is a report on her at city jail....that was extreme, ever since the 2 police visits we don't hear a peep from her, don't even hear her tv blasting and she's about 7 ft from my door. The other stuff, I'm done talking about it.....
I never really gave that much thought. One prior Methodist minister was married, and both he and his wife were retired state government (corrections system and school teacher) with pensions. He gave his minister's salary (and more) back to the churches. The current Methodist minister is retired from his corporate job and from the ministry (the UMC called him out of retirement), and his wife is still working as VP of a software outfit. He is 71 and she is late 60s. They have a small vineyard and their own label wines. The only way they can afford "life" is his wife's income, and even then things get real tight if the weather's been bad for grapes that year. A single priest (Catholic or otherwise) could never make ends meet without assistance or other revenue.
Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a true Christian. —- Matthew 7: 15-23 below True and False Prophets 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. True and False Disciples 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ —- I won’t comment on individual comments here. I highly recommend that everyone read ALL of Matthew Chapter 7.
Personally, I admire the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons for their missionary work. While I don't at all agree with the theology or message that they are spreading, it takes a lot of courage to do what they do, and commitment to do it anyhow. It's not like they put their feet in the door if you try to close it on them, so I've never understood why anyone would resent them for it. Most people would call the JWs and Mormons extreme, and a lot of people hate them for it, but I think God calls us to be far more extreme than most of us, who call ourselves Christians, are willing to submit to. Are there bad Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons, or do some of them have evil intent? Are some Catholic priests evil? Sure, of course. In whatever large group of people you might want to examine, you'll find bad with the good.
When my friend became a JW, we were not friends then, but thru an issue we got to spend time with each other and honest to goodness she loved to go out and eat and have margareitas....she was fun, but her family and those who knew her a long time were shocked at her JW decision. She claims no politics nor birthdays or holidays and now and then I'll get a copy of Watchtower in the mail from her. No pressure from her ever. She is very kind and even sent me 2 100$ checks for health info I told her about that she has benefitted so. Interesting.... We talk on phone, she is in PA, and email and she is very generous with her time with me, she's a kind soul.
Nuns and Priests do live a life of poverty. They give up all worldly goods. The only sect of the Catholic Church that does not adhere to this is the Jesuit. Jesuits are permitted to own property for some reason. But then again, they've been in and out of favor with the Vatican at different times in history. There is a Jesuit uncle, a Franciscan Cousin and a Josephite Nun, another cousin in my life. I know all about Priests and Nuns, so be careful how you portray them.
I approached this thread with trepidation, but to my pleasant surprise found it most welcoming and informative. Thanks for a good read! Of course priests and nuns get room and board, it's part of their vocation, why shouldn't they?
Thanks and I have some life experiences with the nuns and priests, first hand and otherwise....you can think as you do and I can too as I think, Right????
Joy, you are going to think whatever you want, whether anyone else likes it, and so will the other people. It is how we all are made. As far as you having bad experiences with priests and other religious people; that happens. You could say the same thing about lawyers, mechanics, or just about any other profession that exists. There are helpful people and unhelpful people in ALL walks of life. Some people are all about the money, some are not. There are people who will try to encourage you and people who will condemn you. We just have to try and stay away from ones who want to condemn us, and look for better friends. And it should not be a problem for any vocation to be financially reimbursed for what they do, whether they are a priest or a cashier at the grocery store. No one is trying to change YOUR mind, they are only sharing their observations; so settle down, have a cup of coffee and chill out for a while.