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Bishop's funding plan irks parishioners

Calls on Catholics to give one percent of their disposable income
Bishop's funding plan irks parishioners
A parishioner collects the offering at a Catholic church in Yen Bai
Published: February 22, 2012 07:35 AM GMT
Updated: February 22, 2012 07:35 AM GMT

Disgruntled parishioners in the country’s largest diocese are voicing opposition to a plan by the bishop to get them to shoulder the brunt of its funding, including taking a percentage of their disposable income. Bishop John Mary Vu Tat of Hung Hoa recently urged 1,000 Catholics at a church in Yen Bai to “actively provide one percent of your disposable income for the local Church’s pastoral activities, missionary work and construction of facilities.” The diocese has been forced to look at new ways of raising funds since much of its revenue from donations from foreign churches is drying up. Bishop Tat is currently touring local churches to ask local Catholics to support the plan. “It is high time we had to make financial donation to build the local Church and also provide material support for poor churches in other places,” the 68-year-old bishop said. People’s standard of living has been improving, he added. He suggested people also make donations at weekend Masses, at weddings and when buying new houses, vehicles or other special events. However, some parishioners believe the bishop is asking for too much. “The Church is trying to place an additional economic burden on people by demanding a proportion of their income,” said Anna Le Thi Lien, a parishioner. Many local people still live in poverty or make a meager living while the cost of living is rising sharply, she added. “Let us be free to donate what we can,” Lien said. She suggested the Church launch investment projects to make money rather than taking from people who do not have much. Hung Hoa diocese covering 10 northwestern provinces serves 225,000 Catholics in 94 parishes. Related reports: Catholics start Church building driveFlock praises bishop for building work

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