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Show Concerning Church Funds. A matter that is being discussed with some interest just now by many pastors pas-tors is, "Am I justified in spending the church funds in order to distribute dis-tribute literature among the people?" At "first blush one would think that there could hardly be any hesitation in solving so primary a difficulty, hut at a gathering of priests recently it was hotly discussed pro and con. It was contended that, as trustee of the church funds, a pastor has no right to spend except whatever be necessary neces-sary for the running of a material plant for church purposes. He argued that the bishop's directions in sending him to take charge was "to pay the debt and look out for the church property," prop-erty," and he made his point so well that he almost persuaded the rest. The larger view of a priest's mission to his people, however, prevailed. Primarily Pri-marily his duty was to the souls of his flock. The brick and mortar church was for the souls of the people and anything that contributed to the reclamation recla-mation and elevation of souls not only belongs to the privileges of a pastor but was a part of his duty. There fore, said this latter contestant, "I have spent more during the past year in distributing books, etc., among my people peo-ple than I have in any other way. I consider that this expense account is far more necessary than one for altar fixtures or for church windows. There is a Catholic paper mailed regularly to every family in the parish and I pay for it out of the church funds. I find since I adopted this practice there is a better feeling toward church things, and I have all I can do in instructing in-structing converts." Later on inquiry-was inquiry-was made about this priest's parish and it was found that thirty-two converts con-verts were received during the past year and the non-Catholic people were very well disposed toward him. Inasmuch Inas-much as he carried this same enlightened enlight-ened policy into all his dealings with Catholics and non-Catholics alike, he is practically the strongest force for good in the town' in which he lives. This matter may be simple, but it is a matter of profound interest in the intellectual life of a thoughtful pastor. |