The Wealth of the Church

SAINT LAWRENCE, when ordered by authorities to turn over the wealth of the Church, gathered together the sick and poor of Rome, these being the Church's true wealth.


Saint Lawrence, selling off treasures to feed the poor; photo taken at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

The 2008 annual report of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis is now online.

According to the report, 32% of the Archdiocese's expenses go towards serving the sick and poor via Catholic Charities, while 22% goes to education.

A relatively small amount of expenses goes towards normal parish life, but this is as it should be.