Why doesn't the Vatican sell some of its art and gold etc in order to feed starving people?

Answer 1

This is much the same retort Judas gave to Jesus, who rebuked the woman for anointing Christ with an entire jar of expensive perfume when it could have been sold for a great sum and the profit given to the poor. The Vatican preserves what it does as repository for the benefit of culture in general as well as the guardian of Christian Tradition in art in all its forms, one which it will not surrender to the secular world. Even if the Vatican were to completely liquidate all its assets, lands, and wealth, it would probably only provide a few meals, if that, for every starving person in the world after which they would still be starving. ----- This is an excellent answer. I'm usually the argumentative type but I'm not so stubborn as to to learn when I'm wrong. You're right.

Thank you!

Answer 2

The Vatican is already the largest charitable organization in the world. Much of the 'wealth' you speak of is actually priceless artwork that the Church has accumulated over the years. Many of these pieces of art were what gave fame to many artists that would otherwise remained in obscurity. The Church was the patronage these artists needed. Most of this artwork is on public display for the entire world to see. If it would be sold to private individuals it would no longer be visible to the world. It would be a great loss to the civilized world and the poor would gain little from its sale.