Comments on: Debate: Is it right to charge for papal Masses?

By: Susanaab

Susanaab — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:21:25 +0000

Is so wrong.Why they charge in here and other countries like Chile or Argentina they dont.I think the Pope have enough money to cover what it needs to be cover.

By: Samorrow

Samorrow — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:39:05 +0000

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a free gift of grace which has been given by our Father God. The whole point of Christ's death and resurrection is that we could not pay the price which God required for our sin.
The price has been paid, so to then charge to hear the gospel flies in the face of what God has done for us and I fear that Peters response to Simon in Acts 8 has echo's in this situation, “May your money perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”
I am also concerned that there appears to be a cost for prayer. What makes this prayer more special than another prayer. Prayer is again a wonderful free gift of grace which has been provided because of Jesus death and resurrection. We come in prayer through Jesus to the Father and this prayer is available at all times, Paul highlights this in Thessalonian's when he tells us to pray continually.
Please never let any Christian Church think that it is acceptable to charge for the Gospel. I note that the visit is referred to as an apostolic visit on the Vatican website, no apostle charged for his ministry in the gospels, or in acts as far as it is my understanding .

By: Believe

Believe — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:00:36 +0000

I frequently donate directly to the Holy See (Peters Pence) as I grew up and was educated by the Holy Fathers brother Georg Ratzinger. It would be unimaginable if people were charged in Germany to attend mass on his visit (although there everyone pays church tax).
As every parish has been asked to collect, why should people pay more? Totally unacceptable.

By: GRAINTHORN

GRAINTHORN — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:42:23 +0000

This is simony and completely unacceptable

By: Rick59

Rick59 — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:57:38 +0000

Yes a token charge is OK, as the Catholic church in the UK are in the minority about 20% of the whole population. The church financies need assistance. This charge as it is being called in my opinion is totally acceptable. Those going to Westminster are founding there own travel arrangement so will in the long run be paying much more but none of them will complain as it is their wish to attend. None of us Catholics are being forced to attend any event, we want to attend. God Bless us all.

By: wise old owl

wise old owl — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:24:41 +0000

It's done by ticket all over the world. It's a muli-billion dollar business. Old king henry wanted his divorce but he also wanted to keep most of the revenue in his back pocket. Watch it on telly, its costing millions of pounds of tax payers money as it is dont be conned into pating with any more

By: Just me

Just me — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:53:38 +0000

It is not only wrong to charge for papal Masses, it is sinful. It's as simple as that. Jesus never charged or asked people to pay…No matter how high are the costs of this visit, it's unchristian to ask for money in order to avoid debt. Peace to all!

By: Mark H.

Mark H. — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:05:02 +0000

I wholly agree with Ignatius. I live in Coventry and I offered to make my own way there, I do not need a 'Pilgrim Pack' and I would meet up with the coach from my parish at the site for security reasons, but I was told that I would still have to 'pay to pray'. There is a good Catholic family in my parish with eight kids, they would have to pay £250, which is about the households weekly income. I think it's contrary to canon law and if it isn't, it should be. How many more disasters is this visit going to throw up?

By: High and Mighty

High and Mighty — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:22:04 +0000

It is no big deal. Our parish has been issued a limited number of tickets; forms have been filled in and names will be pulled from the hat. There are more wanting to go than there are tickets but ours seems to be a fair system and all are willing to pay. If we want the Pope to come then we should be prepared to pay the costs of the visit. However, I have heard folk in Wales saying that they won't contribute to the visit because he isn't going to Wales…. seems a bit off because many people will have to travel a great distance to the venues.

By: Papal Supporter

Papal Supporter — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:48:22 +0000

When we go to Mass there is no entrance fee but there is a collection on Sunday for the upkeep of the Church etc. The Papal Masses are no different though the information surrounding the cost of tickets could have been better. Local parishes could have been given the opportunities to register local companies for transportation by a certain date and if the true travel costs were lower then these could be reflected in the total ticket price. The ticket could be a nominal 5GBP with the travel costs being extra. however as there is to be a pilgrims pack the cost is more. however, will this pack be totally accessible for people with visual impairment for example. Disability law comes into play and as usual the Church is reactive not truly proactive to such laws. At the end of the day, we cannot rely on souvenir sales to fund shortfalls. A ticket that controls numbers and is in place of the collection is sensible but the transport costs should have been looked at closely and if they were, then the powers that be should have presented their findings in a n open and more communicative manner. Sad;y there will be moaners, there will be freeloaders, there will be those who will be generous and those who will make real sacrifice. Sadly a lot of low income families will not be aboe to afford even 10GBP and of course some priests will demand immediate payment making it difficult for some parishioners who might need a couple of days etc. However, several thousand VIP guests will pay nothing. That in itself raises a lot of questions.