Yes, the Catholic world needs to hear this but more importantly the secular world needs it even more. It’s good to read about such good works by the Church, which too often go unpublicized in this critical era.

I see the ‘positive angle’ to this story…but..
Bono, really?
I can’t believe what kind of a pitiful media seeker this man is. Isn’t this the same man who is known for tax evasion and moved countries to achieve this? The same man who called the RCC a “sleeping giant” when it came to HIV AIDS? Ignoring how many millions in Africa with HIV AIDS are actually assisted by the Church.
I am so tired of Bono and other celebs going on about social issues when so many of them lead vacuous, immoral lives filled with nothing but material wealth and certainly without any reverence for God and faith but rather immense, open and public disdain for these, and then they preach to us about how we should live!
Bono please keep your pie - hole shut on social issues and just entertain please because you are so out of our your element and look more foolish than ever.

It is not charity to get someone else to forgive what is legally owed to them by others.

And if the Vatican us so keen on ‘social justice,’ why doesn’t it sell all (or at least part) of its artwork treasure and give the money to the poor—you know, lead by example.

The Church has always led the world in providing social services and has leveraged the Jubilee year to address important debt and forgiveness issues, but it is exceptionally gratifying to witness the Church and such a idle of the youth, collaborate in dealing with this macro financial situation!  It is heart-warming to witness the gratitude expressed and the unusual recognition being given to the Roman Catholic Church by such a well-known celebrity.  We live in an interesting world!

Hypocritical comments like Kenny’s just show a complete lack of understanding.

Yes the Vatican has a treasury of art work but first of all they commissioned the work hundreds of years ago.  Since that time the artists concerned became famous and the value increased significantly.  It’s hardly the Church’s fault the art work became priceless and it’s not as if they are currently engaged in buying up expensive art instead of helping the poor.  Since he artwork is actually priceless according to art experts, who can afford to buy it if they did want to sell it?

Perhaps Kenny should start living in the ‘real’ world… The world in which the Catholic Church is not only the biggest provider of Aid in the world, but biggest provider of health care and education!

I don’t think the church likes to brag and is more conservative in this way regarding Bono’s comment below in his last statement.

Bono told Vatican Radio, “I just think the Church hasn’t done a good job yet of telling people what they’ve achieved, and we were just trying to figure out how best to do that.”

“Why doesn’t it sell all (or at least part) of its artwork treasure and give the money to the poor”

Yeah, I keep telling the art museum up here in Chicago the same thing.  They just ignore me.

Sell the Vatican artwork and give the money to the poor.

The Vatican establishment should lead by example and live what they preach.

Maybe the Church would not have as many institutional problems as it does if it was not burdened down as it is by its ‘treasure.’ .

And why are the successors of the poor apostles holding on so tightly to the trinkets of this world? Why?

Ah, yes, Bono, the champion of social justice.  I’d be more impressed with this story if Cardinal Turkson had been able to convert Bono to the one true faith.

Kenny, Poverty exists because of man’s greed and mismanagement, not for a lack of resources or because the Vatican won’t sell its art.  We build beautiful cathedrals and display priceless art because it is right to offer God the very best of what we have.  Social justice is really only a small part of the Church’s mission on earth.  Her primary mission is the salvation of souls.

And if the Vatican sold all its artwork & treasures they’d be in the hands of private owners & no longer visible to the faithful & others.Each time we walk into a church or cathedral we all share in the beauty.

That is incredibly arrogant, and what looks to me like an incredible misuse of the message of Jesus.  Remember the “go and sell all your possessions” thing? Do you truly believe that God would rather the church spend $70 million to have a celebration in Spain (source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/world/europe/16madrid.html?pagewanted=all) than send people to starving children in Africa, India and Bangladesh who will most likely DIE without help.  If God is that self-centered/jealous that he needs parties and huge cathedrals in place of feeding dying children, then its not a God I’ll be worshiping for much longer.

Thank you for this article,
Its so refreshing to hear all the good the Church does and thanks also to Bono in choosing to promote this Truth :)

I believe Bono is the gentleman as the result of whom the FDC now must allow the use of the “F word” over the media.  What is it about Catholics - the “Catholic Media” that they fawn over the famous?  Our Savior did not.  Nor did / do any of the Christian saints throughout time.  I forget who it was who said that “Friendship with the world is enmity to God.”

What is needed is free-market capitalism,the rule of law and maybe a little honesty and they would be off to a good ‘restart.’

The Vatican commissioned and collected the art pieces and kept them safe. Without the Church, these pieces of human history and culture would have been lost to us forever. The Church also has a 2000 year history, so they can’t be faulted for having a ‘treasury’ of art pieces and sculptures.  The Church keeps these pieces for posterity and the vast majority of them are open to public viewing and enjoyment. If they were to be sold, these art pieces would fall into the hands of private art collectors and would only be seen by very few. The Catholic Church is also, by far, the largest charitable organization in the world with thousands of orphanages, dozens+ of hospitals, etc throughout the world. I think the Vatican is doing a great job living what they preach.

Kenny, So you’re telling God He was wrong to institute the Jewish Jubilee years in the OT?  Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth and you, doesn’t have the right to tell His creations that they are to forgive each other’s debts every 50 years?  Not only are you lacking in the virtue of charity by your comments, but the arrogance displayed is revolting.

The Vatican’s artwork belongs to all Catholics around the world, including the poor. If it was “sold and the money given to the poor,” in short order the money would be cannibalized by the same warlords and corrupt governments currently keeping food and water out of the hands of the poor, and the priceless artwork would be in the hands of… probably George Soros or the like. Bad idea. Keep the artwork, let it be for all Catholics and for all who love it, keep feeding the poor as the largest single organization that ever helped the poor in the history of the world, Catholic Church. Kenny, if that’s really your view you are sadly lacking in the quality of logic. I’m truly sorry for you.

I agree with Michael. I’m amazed and saddened that some feel compelled to criticize the Church rather then acknowledge all the good she does including what is pointed out in this article. For those who don’t understand, I suggest reading John 12:1-8. Art is an expression of adoration as the perfume was to Mary of Bethany. It’s important to note that it was Judas Iscariot (who eventually betrayed Jesus for money) who objected to the expensive perfume being used on Jesus instead of selling it so the proceeds could be given to the poor.

1. For those here who rationalized the institutional Church (and the Vatican in particular) clinging to its treasures:

True, your rationalizations are lame ... but at least they’re a cut above the ones I use to hear that said the Vatican was holding its treasures for Jesus when he returned.

2. And as far as the Church’s work in getting creditors to forgive the debts owed them, I’d be more impressed if instead the Vatican did the manly thing and stepped in and paid off the debtors debt for them. Now that would be something, wouldn’t it?

The church keeps its vast religious art, because it’s chief mission is to lead all to Christ. Selling its artwork will keep all from seeing the glory of Christ, and it may even be desecrated by those who buy it.  I never cease to be awed by the oresence of God, that is present whenI look upon the work of these great artists. The creations are beautiful and the creator who created the talents of these splendid artists, all the greater.  The religious art isn’t just for the Pope but for all people: rich, poor, faithful or not. God bless the Church and it’s full deposit of faith.

There is an unfortunate truth not yet entered into this discussion.  Forgiving the debt frees up borrowing capacity and cash so that the present corrupt leadership of many of these countries can fill their Swiss bank accounts to levels comparable to those of their predecessors.  That those predecessors did so is largely the explanation for why those previous loans accomplished so little.

My conclusion after pondering this is that it is a mistake, if not a sin, to falsely forgive these “dirty debts” of countries where there is no evidence (progress already made consistent with nominal expenditures) that the theft by politicians has stopped.  I might note that, under that criterion, the US might not be worthy of any such future forgiveness, given our present trend.

As always, if the Church chooses to give OF ITS OWN TREASURE, however, whenever, and at what cost it was gained, that would be a different matter.  It at least would not be the government-mandated theft from its own citizens inherent in forgiving “dirty debt” to make a certain group of citizens feel good about themselves!