Odd question about International Catholic church donations? - SuperiorMuscle.com

**Shibby** · #1 09-30-05, 03:17 PM

So for my fiance and I to get married at her church in Poland, we might have to give a "donation" to the church so that I don't have to convert. Just wondering your thoughts or expierence with something similar.

rado · #2 09-30-05, 03:20 PM

Hmmm....I would give the donation...Are you catholic?

**Shibby** · #3 09-30-05, 03:27 PM

Agnostic and we will give the donation. Our money will go a long ways in Poland. I was just curious if anyone has had first or second hand expierence with something like this. We should know more tuesday after her priest contacts the Bishop in the city.

BBAddict · #4 09-30-05, 03:27 PM

I got married in a Catholic church even though I'm not Catholic and I sure as heck didn't give them a "donation." Maybe things are different in Poland

**Shibby** · #5 09-30-05, 03:35 PM

Did you do it in the US though?

***THE BOUNCER*** · #6 09-30-05, 03:52 PM

Sounds like a cluster f*** to me. Cant you just get married here or a church that you dont have to "donate" money to.

**Shibby** · #7 09-30-05, 04:07 PM

Of course we can, we just don't want to.

BBAddict · #8 09-30-05, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shibby

Did you do it in the US though?

Yeah, it was in the US.

Stixs · #9 09-30-05, 04:41 PM

I also got married in a Catholic church and I just had to go to a class one weekend. Of course it was very painful, but I got through it. Never heard of giving a donation. I do know that you have to go to a class(or as they say a retreat) if you are not Catholic here in the US.

***THE BOUNCER*** · #10 09-30-05, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shibby

Of course we can, we just don't want to.

What im saying is, do you guys really think you sould be donating and spending all this money to fly over there and so on. I think it would be in your best interest to have a small wedding here and save the money. Then when you guys have your own house and are a little more on your feet you can get re married where you want. Dont mean to be getting into your buisness, just looking out.

**Shibby** · #11 09-30-05, 04:57 PM

In the US it's alot easier. But in Europe the church is a very big deal, which also makes them more strict. It's also not just about converting, which I think has alot to do with it. I don't believe in god in the first place. So it wouldn't be believable for me to go through the motions. Every one following me on this part? I don't care if it costs a little extra to give her a wedding that she will love.

**Shibby** · #12 09-30-05, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE BOUNCER

What im saying is, do you guys really think you sould be donating and spending all this money to fly over there and so on. I think it would be in your best interest to have a small wedding here and save the money. Then when you guys have your own house and are a little more on your feet you can get re married where you want. Dont mean to be getting into your buisness, just looking out.

I'm following you. But either we fly there or we fly her family here. The cost of everything would be more expensive here. $1 of ours equals 3 of there money. On top of that the average household income per year is like $5,000.

rvgfrth4g · #13 09-30-05, 05:06 PM

Its is common to give donations to a church if you're not a member of the church. Unfortunet but churches are a business just like any other. Until god starts making money grow on the trees in front of the churches it'll always be that way.

Stonecold54 · #14 10-01-05, 10:26 AM

sounds like a bribe.

**Shibby** · #15 10-01-05, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonecold54

sounds like a bribe.

lol "donation" = QUOTE, donation, END QUOTE. Sorry I can't show you my fingers making the quote's

#16 10-02-05, 12:11 AM

A church should reconize love not money.Don't donate to a church donate instead to a local polish fund in the churches name...that will give you their true intentions.

K

mindstar · #17 10-02-05, 10:43 AM

you know, i was at a Catholic wedding where a priest said that the highest purpose a wedding could have was to convert one of the couple to the Catholic church...

I think also that the church makes you promise that you'll raise your kids Catholic as well. Is the "donation" on top of any church rental fees? In fairness to the church, it's not like the priests are on huge salaries, their food comes from alms largely...

**Shibby** · #18 10-02-05, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by num1son

A church should reconize love not money.Don't donate to a church donate instead to a local polish fund in the churches name...that will give you their true intentions.

K

It's not really my problem. I'm just going to do what's needed to stay under the radar and be allowed to get married there. It's very important to my fiance to have her family and friends there. If we have it in the states that would be very difficult. Her parents and brother would make it, but I doubt we could afford anyone else to come.

**Shibby** · #19 10-02-05, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindstar

you know, i was at a Catholic wedding where a priest said that the highest purpose a wedding could have was to convert one of the couple to the Catholic church...

I think also that the church makes you promise that you'll raise your kids Catholic as well. Is the "donation" on top of any church rental fees? In fairness to the church, it's not like the priests are on huge salaries, their food comes from alms largely...

I believe it is on top of everything else. This has come in as a new expense...

mindstar · #20 10-02-05, 12:11 PM

hmm...i wonder if this is an out-of-towner expense? As it stands, you could always ask the archdiocese (sp?) locally about it...They might be able to give you some more insight.

That said, maybe rocking the boat right arround wedding time is more trouble than it's worth.

Gainward · #21 10-02-05, 12:31 PM

While i dont really think its right. If i were you unless its some ungodly huge amount that they are asking for I would just give it and try and avoid causeing any problems

**Shibby** · #22 10-02-05, 12:33 PM

It won't be to huge amount I would imagine, because they want some money. Even though I'm american they still have to treat it like a business deal if they want the money.

**Shibby** · #23 10-02-05, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindstar

Is the "donation" on top of any church rental fees?

I just asked my fiance and she said it is on top of the normal fees. Just to give everyone and idea of the cost. To rent the church, the ceramony, decorate or whatever you do, It's going to be only like $200.

Puddles · #24 10-02-05, 02:37 PM

I think it's admirable that Shibby's wanting to go to his fiance's homeland and give her the traditional wedding she desires.

Although I was raised Catholic, our wedding was not in the Catholic church but when we had our daughter baptised there we had to make a donation and attend classes and her Godparents had to be parishioners of a Catholic church. The Catholic church has a lot of politics and rules and they will varry depending on which church you are at. When we renewed our vows we did it in a non-denominational church, much easier that way.