What will it take for Catholics to give more?

Evan Holguin’s article “The American Catholic giving crisis” in the April 18 issue has a single focus: Catholics simply don’t donate enough money. But the article doesn’t offer possible explanations as to why.

Please accept that I cannot speak beyond my 75 years of age nor my 40 years of Catholic faith.

As a child I was raised Methodist. Our family and church did what was possible with both time and money. Money would include donations of food, clothing, household needs or other material support. Time was invested in many ways to support the community.

Charitable support also extends beyond a direct connection to the church. What about levels of support for organizations like Unbound, Heifer, Mom’s House, and Tunnel to Towers?

Factors that affect charitable giving are stewardship, accountability, and transparency. While the statistics of Catholic giving are interesting, the article doesn’t recognize what the breadth of charity includes, doesn’t offer explanations or remedies, and doesn’t inspire to simply give more.

— Michael Jacobs, Holland, Ohio