Frequently Asked Questions
- How much of my donation actually helps elderly religious?
Approximately 95 percent of our budget aids senior religious. Only about 5 percent is used for promotional activities and administration.
- Doesn’t the Catholic Church take care of elderly religious?
Every (arch)diocese is responsible for the appropriate management and care of its finances and personnel. However, there are also many religious institutes in the Catholic Church that consist of monks, nuns, friars, or sisters (e.g., Franciscans, Benedictines, Dominicans, Carmelites, Jesuits, Poor Clares, Trappists, etc.) who may serve in many different (arch)dioceses over the course of their lives. Through their public vows, members of these institutes dedicate their lives to the service of the Church in various ways. According to canon law, religious institutes are responsible for their own finances and for the care of their own members. Because our religious brothers and sisters are aging and their institutes often struggle with the rising cost of health care, the bishops of the United States established the Retirement Fund for Religious to help care for them. By donating to this collection, Catholics are able to offer a tangible gift of thanks to those who have served the Church in so many (arch)dioceses across the United States.
- Why is this collection needed?
Hundreds of US religious communities face a large gap between the needs of their older members and the funds available to support them. Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests—known collectively as women and men religious—served for little to no pay. As a result, many religious communities now lack adequate retirement savings. At the same time, health-care costs continue to rise and an increasing number of older religious need care.
- What is the difference between a diocesan and religious order priest?
A religious priest is a member of a particular religious institute. He has become a member by making a public vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience, which has been approved and received in the name of the Church through his religious superior. A religious priest is called to serve the needs of his religious institute, which may take him to serve in many different (arch)dioceses over the course of his life. The poverty of a religious priest means that any income he receives is given over to his religious institute, which is responsible for his care. A diocesan priest serves in a particular (arch)diocese, or its equivalence, in collaboration with his bishop. He makes two promises: celibacy and obedience to the local bishop and his legitimate successors. A diocesan priest is called to simplicity but not poverty. Unlike religious priests, diocesan priests maintain some responsibility for their own care since a vow of poverty does not bind them.
- But I already donated to the retired priests in my (arch)diocese.
The Retirement Fund for Religious collection is for members of US religious orders. (See question 2.) It is held just once a year. Many (arch)dioceses, however, also hold separate appeals for their retired diocesan priests. Those appeals do not benefit retired religious.
- How is my donation used?
Proceeds from the annual collection are distributed to help eligible US religious communities care for their aging members. The majority of donations are allocated for Direct Care Assistance, which helps support nursing care, medications, and other necessities. Communities apply for this assistance annually.
Meet some of the religious your donation helps.