WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

Charity begins at home. Proverb

Once again, as we usher the old year out and welcome the new, it's time for a firm resolution. In 2013, it's simple: Keep 'em poor!

Remember that the commandments of the Church only apply when there is a Church Visible with an intact hierarchy. In the Sede Vacante, the commandments are, as it were, suspended. We are living on a kind of desert island, and our return to civilization is not imminent. Traddie priests are not our pastors juridically, so there's no commandment to support them. And most certainly, there exists no sacred injunction to

* Fund luxurious vacations at highfalutin desert spas;

* Underwrite useless south-of-the-border and European "pastoral" tours;

* Foot the bill for gourmet-restaurant adventures;

* Pay for unnecessary building projects (that often can't pass inspection and thus cost more); and

* Support a nest of unnecessary (and perhaps dubious) "sacerdotal" personnel, who should be serving chapels of their own.

This year, think of your family. Think of your children. Think of your retirement. Think of the waste!

There's no special merit to be gained in supporting clerical freelancers. In no way do they represent the Church. They represent themselves. Therefore, your generosity is in vain. You might as well give your money to a pack of pagan Fire-Eaters, for all the spiritual good it will do you.

Trust less. Give less. KEEP 'EM POOR.