Hi

I know I asked it before but last time nobody seemed to answer,so I ask again.

1. I work for the housing department and part of my job is to make sure that lessees pay their service charges (ie. water and electricity,repairs, etc). Sometimes I might have to refer non-paying lessees to solicitors. Sometimes I get calls from lessee's that they simply do not have enough money because they are disabled or something tragic happened. We are allowed to be flexible in this case provided that the amount owed isn't too huge and that the lessee has a good paying history. But what if they don't? Am I like the servant who was forgiven by God but who himself beat up the person who owed him money? Am I sinning if I tell a lessee who claims to be in a wheelchair or who said that they have no place else to go that legal action will be taken against him/her because they haven't payed in the past or they owe lots of money?

2. I noticed that you get some churches who convert their crypts into restaurants or Cafes possibly run by private individuals. There's a passage in the Bible where Jesus walks into a temple and sees the money lenders and sellers trading there. Jesus gets angry and kinda tears the place apart because it is supposed to be a place of worship. Would this also apply to the above-mentioned matter?

Please note that i kinda rushed with my questions so i might have left out some extra details or sounded ignorant. sorry if i do.

God bless,

-- anon (anon@no.an), December 10, 2004

Answers

1) what in the world is a lessee?

2) could you provide any examples, in all the hundreds of churches i've visited accross france, germany, italy, belgium, and luxembourg i have never once seen something like what you mention.

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), December 10, 2004.

We are allowed to be flexible in this case provided that the amount owed isn't too huge and that the lessee has a good paying history. But what if they don't?

In my opinion, if you are not being given specific guidelines regarding the 'lessees' (renters) then it is up to you and your conscience should be your guide... If you feel charitable, the fact that they are still 'lessees' would imply their paying history to be adequate.

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), December 10, 2004.

Dear Anon,

You must make each decision with equity in mind proportional to the circumstances of each individual's case and with the most reliable information at your disposal, within what is reasonably and legally allowed by your position to ask for.

Pray that you will be fair and then do what your professional judgement indicates. Then you must leave what happens to the mercy of God, and sleep well in each circumstance because you have acted as justly as you can in each circumstance.

I do not think it is within your authority to judge the Church for allowing their property to be used for commercial purposes provided that is legal in the municipality of your employ. If your conscience is offended by this commercialization then, perhaps at another time, acting as a private citizen in a manner unrelated to your professional position, you could pay a visit to the Pastor and speak with him/her about your dilemma. But ultimately it is their issue with God, not your once you have respectfully and privately said what your conscience requires.

Remember the unique position of Jesus. He knew everything there was to know about the particulars of of why He acted as He did in the Temple. Your sampling of information is somewhat limited by the circumstances, it gives you more moral wiggle room, so to speak.

That you consider such circumstances speaks to your character, Anon, and those in your jurisdiction are fortunate to have you. God bless you in each decision.

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), December 11, 2004.

Anon,

1. If you yourself were the private landlord of these people the decision would be up to you when their debts should be forgiven. But I presume the department you work for has protocols which you have to follow under orders from your superiors. If there is a clear case where you think mercy should be extended outside the rules, you should take it up with your superiors. If they refused and you still thought it was an important matter of fairness to the lessee, you would have to consider other options to help the person.

2. Jesus condemned the Temple merchants, not for their capitalism per se, but because they were in effect making people pay them, and at exorbitant rates, for the right to offer sacrifice to God. The sin of simony (selling spiritual favors.) The restaurants and shops you speak of do not make people pay to go into the church or to participate in Mass and sacraments. The only examples of such establishments I have seen are owned by the diocese/parish itself. Even if such a shop/cafe was leased to a private operator, I see no problem as long as a fair rental is paid and the operator respects the dignity of the place and the rights of worshippers and the business is in conformity with the aims of the Church. The majority of Catholic churches have a small parish-owned shop attached selling prayer-books, sacramentals etc. I see nothing wrong with that. Even a café could be a valuable help to building a parish community.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), December 14, 2004.

thank you so much! You have been very helpful and I feel more at peace now. God bless you for putting my mind at ease.

-- anon (anon@anon.com), December 20, 2004.