Forgive me if I digress

Mark Shea's recent article on Catholic Exchange about Apostate U has brought me to thinking about charity. End of year financial charity should be effective and worthwhile in my opinion.

Rich Leonardi at Ten Reasons gives some great thoughts why he isn't donating to his alma mater. In the comments, one shares how to make sure the offenders know why you aren't donating to their coffers. And the comment adds that we can do the same for the local bishop's appeal.

That is where I struggle. I considered making a statement in my donation last year. But I held off on the advise of a mentor and friend I trust. His advise was that he donates to the appeal because we are to support our bishop.

True, he is a bishop, an heir of the Apostles. The programs I disapproved of where not heretical or a source for latae sentencia excommunication, but rather poor catechetical programs.

So, my dilemma is this. We are to be good stewards of our money and financial charity. But should we give our bishop's our humble obedience (supplemented by excessive prayer) or should we assume to educate him of our displeasure of his socialistic leanings?

I am siding on the excessive prayer and humble obedience, but I struggle with it. As I grow in faith, I find more reason to avoid criticizing bishops and priests. Prayer seems to be much more effective.