there are arguments about giving collectively
either through government programs or through supporting larger charities
we can look the collective model of the early Church to support both ideas
if someone helps, I am not going to really criticize them for how they choose to help
we need some government oversight
but I am afraid that too many Catholics favor big government
Person to person giving is great. However, so is collective giving.
You don't think that Catholic Charities is a good model of a charity? First, with regard to moral choices, the Church backs it. There are organizations which judge charities, using may ways to judge include how much actually gets to the needy. Catholic Charities gets a top rating. Also, other religious organizations like Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse and World Vision get top marks. There are also secular organizations that get top marks such as Goodwill, Doctors Without Borders and The Red Cross.
I agree that some large charities are not the best ones to give to. We have several organizations that judge these charities for us.
What government oversight is useful to you in your choosing a charity?
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I understand that many here disagree with opinions of our bishops and the pope that the government has a major role is providing for the poor, the weak, the sick, the alien, the prisoner and the discriminated against. However, that is only part of the issue. As Catholics, we have many options with regard to giving, both directly and through Church organizations.
Unfortunately, we cannot rely only on the churches to help the poor. Even in the US, where charitable giving is much higher than anywhere else, there is a role for governmental help to the weakest among us. And yes, Jesus taught that we have responsibilities both to the weak in our family of faith and those aliens (e.g. Samaritans) who are outside our own group. It primarily though government money and secular charities that we help non-Christians in the US and throughout the world.