Why does the Catholic Church prey on old people?

Young Blood

Recently my grand uncle entered a nursing home after been assessed by a doctor as not being fit enough to live alone.

I went through his personal belongings in his home and packed them up. I found boxes of anonymous donation cards for the Catholic Church.

Tbh it sickened me. The man was barely able to take care of himself never mind his finances and here was the Catholic Church preying on a vulnerable old man like him.

Is this a common thing in Ireland? Considering the envelopes were marked anonymous, there's no telling how much savings the Roman Catholic Church made off with!

I'm sure there are many other cases of this in the country. Imo this is no different from con-men preying on the rural elderly.

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

Mr. Incognito

His money. He can burn it if he wants. None of your business mate.

If he gave it to you for birthdays is that you preying on him?

Its not like they broke into his home.

I am no fan of the church but this type of sensationalist bull is annoying.

sabat

So you stole his possessions but the Catholic Church are the bad guys? Who runs or at least established the nursing he's going to?

Annasopra

Are you for real?

You just stole 2 watches from your Uncle and you are ranting about envelopes from the church asking for voluntary donations.

padd b1975

Young Blood wrote: »

Recently my grand uncle entered a nursing home after been assessed by a doctor as not being fit enough to live alone.

I went through his personal belongings in his home and packed them up. I found boxes of anonymous donation cards for the Catholic Church.

Tbh it sickened me. The man was barely able to take care of himself never mind his finances and here was the Catholic Church preying on a vulnerable old man like him.

Is this a common thing in Ireland? Considering the envelopes were marked anonymous, there's no telling how much savings the Roman Catholic Church made off with!

I'm sure there are many other cases of this in the country. Imo this is no different from con-men preying on the rural elderly.

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

It's how the collection plate operates now in most parishes, you put your weekly donation in the envelope and then put it in the collection basket at weekend mass.

Are you worried about your inheritance?

Is that why you were needlessly mooching in his private things?

cournioni

Young Blood wrote: »

Recently my grand uncle entered a nursing home after been assessed by a doctor as not being fit enough to live alone.

Maybe he resented the fact that none of his family took him in and he felt abandoned in a nursing home. Not uncommon.

Young Blood

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Are you for real?

You just stole 2 watches from your Uncle and you are ranting about envelopes from the church asking for voluntary donations.

He is family, there is a difference. The man was in no condition to give voluntary anything.

But the church have covered their asses on that one though since it's 'anonymous' donations. They're conscience is clean as far as they're concerned!

murphm45

I assume these are the weekly collection envelopes everyone in the parish gets, it's how they pay for fun things like heating the church. I'd be surprised if they singled your uncle out and younger members of the catholic community weren't given the same thing. Also the fact that he had loads means it obviously didn't work even if it was targeted.

jaykay74

Young Blood wrote: »

The man was barely able to take care of himself never mind his finances and here was I the Catholic Church preying on a vulnerable old man like him.

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

cournioni wrote: »

Maybe he resented the fact that none of his family took him in and he felt abandoned in a nursing home. Not uncommon.

Oh Christ. You don't know why he's gone into a nursing home. He could need 24 hour care from qualified carers. And if you saw the bill from those places, you definitely wouldn't say that he's being "abandoned".

Penny Tration

Young Blood wrote: »

He is family, there is a difference. The man was in no condition to give voluntary anything.

But the church have covered their asses on that one though since it's 'anonymous' donations. They're conscience is clean as far as they're concerned!

Him donating money to the church and you stealing from him are two very different things.

I can't believe you'd steal from an elderly relative. Fcuking disgusting thing to do.

cml387

The church drop those donation envelopes into many houses.
It's not compulsory to put anything into them.

Young Blood

padd b1975 wrote: »

It's how the collection plate operates now in most parishes, you put your weekly donation in the envelope and then put it in the collection basket at weekend mass.

Are you worried about your inheritance?

Is that why you were needlessly mooching in his private things?

No, I just think anonymous donations are targeted at people like him!

Young Blood

Jingle_Balls wrote: »

Him donating money to the church and you stealing from him are two very different things.

I can't believe you'd steal from an elderly relative. Fcuking disgusting thing to do.

Its not theft, im holding them in trust.

Penny Tration

Young Blood wrote: »

Its not theft, im holding them in trust.

Of course you are.

cml387

When you go visiting your grand uncle in the home, as I'm sure you will, just don't go in wearing the watch and you'll be ok.

The Peanut

Offical line from Catholic church is Pray For, not Prey On.

Young Blood

I bet if it was the Church of Scientology it would be a different story.

'What's custom isn't theft', me eye!

The Peanut

Young Blood wrote: »

I bet if it was the Church of Scientology it would be a different story.

'What's custom isn't theft', me eye!

Tom Cruise would be hunting you down as we speak to recoup those watches.:D

Ocean Blue

Young Blood wrote: »

No, I just think anonymous donations are targeted at people like him!

Do you actually understand the meaning of the word donation? It's entirely up to him if he wants to donate, no-one is holding a gun to his head. In fact if the envelopes weren't anonymous it could actually be perceived as more pressure. In that case, it's clear who does or doesn't donate and some people may feel obliged.

Young Blood

There's no telling who owned the watches anyway. My grandmother lived in the same house with all her other siblings so they could of belonged to any of them, most whom are dead!

Young Blood

Ocean Blue wrote: »

Do you actually understand the meaning of the word donation? It's entirely up to him if he wants to donate, no-one is holding a gun to his head. In fact if the envelopes weren't anonymous it could actually be perceived as more pressure. In that case, it's clear who does or doesn't donate and some people may feel obliged.

Yes I understand what donation means but it requires sound body and mind, does it not?

If he had some mental illness, which he had, how is thst a genuine donation and how can it be recovered?

They are absolute gansters!

Atlantic Dawn

I hope he leaves all his estate to the local cats and dogs home and you don't get 1 cent of it.

Vision of Disorder

Young Blood wrote: »

There's no telling who owned the watches anyway. My grandmother lived in the same house with all her other siblings so they could of belonged to any of them, most whom are dead!

It's pretty obvious that they didn't belong to you.

Vulture.

One eyed Jack

padd b1975 wrote: »

It's how the collection plate operates now in most parishes, you put your weekly donation in the envelope and then put it in the collection basket at weekend mass

This is your explanation right here OP. The Church aren't preying on your uncle at all. It's also quite common among other Religions too. For example Sunday just gone I attended a Catholic service in the morning, a Pentecostal service in the afternoon, and a CoI service in the evening. At each one they had the begging bowls out, but the Pentecostal service goes one better and asks for your PPS number! :eek: :pac:

I've never given any Church a cent. As far as I'm concerned they can take some of that gold and other ornate finery down to a Cash4Gold shop for all I care if they're that stuck.

That's not to say your uncle might well leave a substantial donation to the nursing home in his will though. It's not uncommon for elderly people to do that. If it were me, I'd be keeping a closer eye on him in the nursing home than I'd be wondering what he does with his money.

uck51js9zml2yt

Young Blood wrote: »

There's no telling who owned the watches anyway. My grandmother lived in the same house with all her other siblings so they could of belonged to any of them, most whom are dead!

Good man yourself. Justify the theft of something that doesn't belong to you.

I assume since you found the envelopes that he hadn't sent them back with any contribution... Hence voluntary. Everyone in the parish gets a box even me, and I'm not Catholic.
Also they generally aren't anonymous as the persons name is eitheroon the box or referenced to the numbers in the church office.

Annasopra

Young Blood wrote: »

He is family, there is a difference. The man was in no condition to give voluntary anything.

But the church have covered their asses on that one though since it's 'anonymous' donations. They're conscience is clean as far as they're concerned!

No. You stole the watches.

cournioni

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

Oh Christ. You don't know why he's gone into a nursing home. He could need 24 hour care from qualified carers. And if you saw the bill from those places, you definitely wouldn't say that he's being "abandoned".

Oh Christ yourself. Did you even read my post or did the red mist descend upon you the moment you saw the word abandoned?

Fact is, some old people resent the fact that they are put into homes, regardless of how much they cost or how much they need the care.

AudreyHepburn

Young Blood wrote: »

Recently my grand uncle entered a nursing home after been assessed by a doctor as not being fit enough to live alone.

I went through his personal belongings in his home and packed them up. I found boxes of anonymous donation cards for the Catholic Church.

Tbh it sickened me. The man was barely able to take care of himself never mind his finances and here was the Catholic Church preying on a vulnerable old man like him.

Is this a common thing in Ireland? Considering the envelopes were marked anonymous, there's no telling how much savings the Roman Catholic Church made off with!

I'm sure there are many other cases of this in the country. Imo this is no different from con-men preying on the rural elderly.

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

His money, his business to be honest OP.

And considering you are willing to make off with his watches and laugh about it you really don't have a leg to stand on here.

Donations, by definition, are voluntarily made, so it's not a case of the church stealing his money at all. If anything he would appear to have given it willingly.

I'm not going to deny that the church has done some terrible things in it's time, but not every member is evil and hysterical nonsense like this does nothing to help the situation.

Young Blood

Legacy Limited Choke wrote: »

Good man yourself. Justify the theft of something that doesn't belong to you.

I assume since you found the envelopes that he hadn't sent them back with any contribution... Hence voluntary. Everyone in the parish gets a box even me, and I'm not Catholic.
Also they generally aren't anonymous as the persons name is eitheroon the box or referenced to the numbers in the church office.

How can you argue that someone with a mental illness does anything voluntary?

AudreyHepburn

Young Blood wrote: »

No, I just think anonymous donations are targeted at people like him!

No they aren't. These donations are usually parish wide and not compulsory, as think you probably know.

Your grand uncle made his own choice, it's not for you to tell him he's wrong, particularly as you admit to having stolen from him.

The Moldy Gowl

This thread most certainly not go as the op planned

Gannicus

O/P I find the actions taken by you deplorable. You have thinly veiled stealing from your family as an okay thing to do in relation to the church sending out these anonymous donation envelopes.

The thing behind the envelopes is that people give what they can and don't feel pressured into donating ore than they can when they see someone else putting more in the collection basket.

You on the other hand are just a thief. You "are holding two watches in trust" and you've admitted you don't even know who actually owns them.

AudreyHepburn

Young Blood wrote: »

There's no telling who owned the watches anyway. My grandmother lived in the same house with all her other siblings so they could of belonged to any of them, most whom are dead!

Irrelevant. What matters is who does not own them, namely yourself. Don't try to paint what you did as anything but what it is.

The Moldy Gowl

Gannicus wrote: »

O/P I find the actions taken by you deplorable. You have thinly veiled stealing from your family as an okay thing to do in relation to the church sending out these anonymous donation envelopes.

The thing behind the envelopes is that people give what they can and don't feel pressured into donating ore than they can when they see someone else putting more in the collection basket.

You on the other hand are just a thief. You "are holding two watches in trust" and you've admitted you don't even know who actually owns them.

Just imagine if he found the watches and kept them but said he wouldn't have the oppurtunity to wear the watches.

*shakes fist*

suicide_circus

The way your grand uncle sees it, he is nearing the end of his life, the church offers him an afterlife surrounded by all his friends and loved ones who have passed before him - that's a pretty big draw when you're orbiting the plughole in ever decreasing circles. What do you offer him? Robbing his watches and sticking him in a home.

Robsweezie

because vulnerability. it's a recurring theme.

Penny Tration

Young Blood wrote: »

How can you argue that someone with a mental illness does anything voluntary?

I have a mental illness (2, actually), and I manage to make decisions to donate to charities pretty easily.

So, explain what the church has to do with you stealing?

whisky_galore

Put down the shovel, stop digging.

AudreyHepburn

Young Blood wrote: »

How can you argue that someone with a mental illness does anything voluntary?

Because having a mental illness does not necessarily make you incapable of looking after yourself or making your own choices.

I know people with mental illness who are in fact of perfectly sound mind except for the odd time here and there where they need some-one to help them.

Young Blood

suicide_circus wrote: »

The way your grand uncle sees it, he is nearing the end of his life, the church offers him an afterlife surrounded by all his friends and loved ones who have passed before him - that's a pretty big draw when you're orbiting the plughole in ever decreasing circles. What do you offer him? Robbing his watches and sticking him in a home.

Funnily enough, the good old nursing home offered to take the home off him after he died for payment although the home doesn't even belong to him!

See everything in this life has its price once you're old.

Penny Tration

Young Blood wrote: »

Funnily enough, the good old nursing home offered to take the home off him after he died for payment although the home doesn't even belong to him!

See everything in this life has its price once you're old.

Okay. So what did he 'owe' you that made it fine for you to rob from him?

Young Blood

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Because having a mental illness does not necessarily make you incapable of looking after yourself or making your own choices.

I know people with mental illness who are in fact of perfectly sound mind except for the odd time here and there where they need some-one to help them.

Maybe the cash coukd of been towards the nursing home but I don't think the church had his best interests at heart!

Buona Fortuna

Young Blood wrote: »

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

Put yourself up for adoption. Some people have some really good stuff just lying around.

Timberrrrrrrr

Young Blood wrote: »

Recently my grand uncle entered a nursing home after been assessed by a doctor as not being fit enough to live alone.

I went through his personal belongings in his home and packed them up. I found boxes of anonymous donation cards for the Catholic Church.

Tbh it sickened me. The man was barely able to take care of himself never mind his finances and here was the Catholic Church preying on a vulnerable old man like him.

Is this a common thing in Ireland? Considering the envelopes were marked anonymous, there's no telling how much savings the Roman Catholic Church made off with!

I'm sure there are many other cases of this in the country. Imo this is no different from con-men preying on the rural elderly.

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

You are a theif and you stole from an elderly family member, well done sir you are (in my eyes) the lowest of the low :mad:

Young Blood

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

You are a theif and you stole from an elderly family member, well done sir you are (in my eyes) the lowest of the low :mad:

Do you think the church will pay for the nursing home?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Young Blood wrote: »

He is family, there is a difference. The man was in no condition to give voluntary anything.

But the church have covered their asses on that one though since it's 'anonymous' donations. They're conscience is clean as far as they're concerned!

Where's the evidence he even donated anything? There's evidence you stole two watches though.

I suspect this is a tall tale.

MistyCheese

Elder people are closer to God. So are tall people. It's short, young people that you have to watch out for. That's why toddlers are so hellish. (Well, mine is being hellish today anyway).

AudreyHepburn

Young Blood wrote: »

Do you think the church will pay for the nursing home?

Why should they?

You're just looking for reasons to be outraged at this stage.

Delirium

Young Blood wrote: »

But in fairness, I did make off with two brand new watches still boxed, a Tissot and a Seiko, with a total value of around a thousand euro, so it's not all bad!

Young Blood wrote: »

Do you think the church will pay for the nursing home?

people in glass houses and all that

AudreyHepburn

Young Blood wrote: »

Maybe the cash coukd of been towards the nursing home but I don't think the church had his best interests at heart!

Well you'd know all about his best interests wouldn't you.

Do you actually understand what a donation is? Do you understand that it's money he gave of his own free will, for his own reasons?

The church has not stolen anything from him nor forced him into anything.