Alms

Artist: Daniel Gran, "St Elizabeth Distributing Alms"Alms, in the Catholic Church, refers to the act of giving material assistance to those in need out of charity [1]. It is a form of almsgiving that goes beyond simply providing for the temporal needs of the poor. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, almsgiving in Christianity implies a material service rendered to the poor for the sake of Christ [1]. It is a way of showing fraternal charity and justice, which is pleasing to God [2]. The obligation of almsgiving is complementary to the right of property, and it is the responsibility of those who have plenty to assist those who are in need [1].

The Church teaches that almsgiving should be done willingly and generously, according to the dictates of well-regulated charity [1]. While there is no obligation to answer every call for alms, those who consistently fail to give or harshly repel the poor are guilty of grievous sin [1]. The amount to be given as alms to those in ordinary indigence is not easily determined, but some moralists suggest that an outlay corresponding to two percent of superfluous temporal possessions is sufficient to fulfill the obligation [1]. However, it is important to note that reducing almsgiving to a mathematical basis may not always be practical [1].

In addition to giving directly to the poor, contributing to public and private charities or paying taxes that support the indigent also satisfies the obligation of almsgiving to some extent [1]. Almsgiving is not only a duty of justice but also an exercise in self-denial, freeing us from attachment to worldly goods [5]. It is a means to deepen our Christian vocation and to imitate Christ, who made Himself poor to enrich us [4]. Almsgiving teaches us the generosity of love and inspires various forms of giving according to each person's possibilities and conditions [4].

Overall, almsgiving is an important aspect of the Christian life, demonstrating our love for our neighbor and our willingness to share what we have been blessed with[3]. It is a way to assist those in need and to fulfill the commandment of love [5]. By giving alms, we not only provide material assistance but also bear witness to our faith and imitate Christ's self-giving love [4].

Footnotes:

  1. [Catholic Encyclopedia Alms and Almsgiving ] https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01328f.htm
  2. [CCC 2462] http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8G.HTM
  3. [Rerum Novarum 22] https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html
  4. [Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2008 5] https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071030_lent-2008.html
  5. [Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2008 1] https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071030_lent-2008.html
  6. [Catholic Encyclopedia The Society for the Propagation of the Faith] https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12461a.htm

Image: Artist — Daniel Gran, "St Elizabeth Distributing Alms," c. 1736, Oil on canvas, 97 x 54 cm, Szépmûvészeti Múzeum, Budapest

Catholic Guidelines and Principles for Alms

There are guidelines and principles that govern the allocation of alms in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that from an early date, alms were administered according to some organized system, as evidenced by the institution of deacons and deaconesses and the existence of a roll bearing the names of those in receipt of relief [1]. The allocation of all offerings was recognized as belonging to the bishop, who divided them into four parts: the first for the clergy, the second for the poor, the third for the fabric and upkeep of the churches, and the last part for the bishop himself [1]. This arrangement dates back at least to the time of Pope Simplicius (475 AD) and was formally enunciated by Pope Gregory the Great [1].

Furthermore, Scripture emphasizes the necessity of contributing towards the welfare of the needy, and the early Christians fully realized the importance of this obligation [2]. The history of the Church in Apostolic times shows the inauguration of a world-wide system of Christian charity, which directs its ministrations towards the alleviation of human misery in every shape and form [2]. The Fathers of the Church frequently and unequivocally inculcated the necessity of almsgiving, teaching that the wealthy are God's stewards and dispensers [2]. They also emphasized the importance of discretion in almsgiving, cautioning against giving to the malicious, intemperate, or lazy [2].

In the Code of Canon Law, it is stated that institutes are to strive to give a collective witness of charity and poverty and contribute something from their own goods to provide for the needs of the Church and the support of the poor [4].

These guidelines and principles provide a framework for the allocation of alms in the Catholic Church, ensuring that they are distributed in a just and responsible manner, with a focus on the welfare of the needy and the overall mission of the Church.

Footnotes:

  1. [Catholic Encyclopedia Collections]  https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04104b.htm
  2. [Catholic Encyclopedia Alms and Almsgiving ] https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01328f.htm
  3. [Catholic Encyclopedia Charity and Charities] https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03592a.htm
  4. [Code of Canon Law 640] https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann607-709_en.html#Art._3.
  5. [“Mensuram Bonam”. Faith-Based Measures for Catholic Investors: A Starting Point and Call to Action 11] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GMmIM15zxR3o7iVn8rHShlZIUAcj4Hiv/view?usp=drive_link
  6. [Catholic Encyclopedia Persecution] https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11703a.htm