The United States, of course, leads the way in individual charitable giving, which partly explains why the country is so prosperous. Several of the speakers pointed out that American citizens gave around $300 billion to charity last year, more than the entire income of Sweden, Denmark or Norway. Mary Ann Glendon, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, said such generosity has been made possible thanks to public and private efforts, not least President George Bush’s initiative to encourage faith-based institutions.
Ambassador Glendon wanted to co-host the conference to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She recalled how the United States and other countries successfully lobbied the Declaration framers to consider a space for “caritas” in civil society so as not to dampen private initiative or to give too much power to the state. The Soviet Union had wanted to make the state the primary guarantor of all social and economic rights.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, referred to Benedict XVI’s encyclical “Deus Caritas Est” in his message to the conference, delivered in his absence by Cor Unum’s secretary, Monsignor Karel Kasteel. The Pope stressed that “caritas” is always needed, even in the most just society, but that what is required, above all, is holiness. “It is not charity that makes us saints,” Cardinal Cordes reminded the conference participants, “but holiness that makes us truly charitable.”
If I recall correctly, Americans have always been extremely high charitable givers – indeed, long, long before any public initiatives came along.
“American citizens gave around $300 billion to charity last year, more than the entire income of Sweden, Denmark or Norway.”
So naturally, we are the hated Great Satan of the world while Europe claims the moral high ground.
[i] not least President George Bush’s initiative to encourage faith-based institutions [/i]
Not clear how that initiative would affect the rate of charitable giving.
“Cardinal Cordes reminded the conference participants, “but holiness that makes us truly charitable.”
Yes, that’s where it has to start – it doesn’t start, like so many of our church leadership says with MDGs. It starts with holiness that turns our hearts to charity. Charity without it coming from our devotion to our Lord is not honored by Him. It may accomplish the same purpose in human terms, but not in His eyes. That seems to be what is forgotten by our church these days. The Jesus Creed (and the Great Commandments) – Love God and Love your Neighbor. But which comes first?
Sick & Tired,
We are also often the first to offer aid — not only monetary, but also in medicine, food, water and clothing — to any country suffering a natural disaster, whether we agree with their politics or not.
But then we are castigated by UN leaders as being a selfish and uncaring nation.