Transparency in Church finances gives the faithful satisfaction, says Cardinal
(February 17, 2011) The head of Italy's bishops sees transparency in money-handling
as one of the keys to the Church's credibility and a source of joy for parishioners
who can track where their charity dollars are going. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa,
the president of the Italian Bishops' Conference, spoke at an Italian convention for
diocesan finance workers on February 15. The focus of the meeting was to promote learning
to help others through "co-responsibility and transparency" in the Church. During
his address, Cardinal Bagnasco put particular emphasis on "the absolutely decisive
importance of transparency" in society today. “When we speak of transparency, it doesn't
just mean highlighting honesty and correctness but a clear administration of assets
that can be verified by all,” he said. According to the cardinal, the success of
donations to the Church depends on the ability of all the faithful to track its use.
It is not just about having a clean image on the exterior but exhibiting “true transparency”
in fidelity to the vocation and mission of the Church, he said. “The credibility
of the Church is never damaged by the clarity of her behaviour,” said Cardinal Bagnasco.
In fact, transparency in finances will aid fundraising because people will know what
they are working towards, he explained. “If this real transparency exists in every
parish, the faithful will no longer look at the offering as a type of duty, but donating
will become a great joy because each will live with the satisfaction of doing something
good and concrete,” for the Church elsewhere, he said. “In the Church,” he concluded,
“no one can say, 'it doesn't concern me' and no one can call think of themselves as
outside of this family.