Saturday, May 25, 2024

The buying and selling of religious goods

The dictionary definition of simony is the buying or selling of something spiritual or closely connected with the spiritual. More widely, it is any contract of this kind forbidden by divine or ecclesiastical law. The name is taken from Simon Magus (Acts 8: 18), who attempted to buy from the Apostles the power of conferring the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Is it simony when an organisation or charity links the lighting of candles with moneys given? If it’s not simony, it is at least vulgar. It certainly has all the hallmarks of modern marketing. Is the Catholic Church not constantly criticising the secular world?

Is there an element of dishonesty about it?

It is confusing.


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