Is the Catholic Church the richest organization in the world?

Question

Hi all,

I need to know for a school project about wealthy companys and what not. And I allways figured that the total value of the all the catholic churches assets and money tops that of any other corporation on earth. Is this true? Do they have more money than say shell? Please let me know and figures only, no stupid remarks.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Debatable. While the Church was a billion dollar ($17.7 billion in 2002) organization, the funds have been depleted due to the deflating US dollar (which many of their followers pay donations with), s*x abuse settlements (atleast $840 million in US and Ireland), and growing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. In fact, some dioceses have been forced to declare bankruptcy.

However, the Catholic Churches in Europe are arguably the most elaborate and ostentatious houses of wealth. Many of them contain original art works by artists such as Michaelangelo and Carvaggio - works that would would be auctioned off for millions today - and statues made from gold or silver. Their wealth also includes immense lands and real estate investments.

Answer 2

i live in las vegas and mgm mirage is a huge company and if your looking into churches look into the mormons. also sands co

Answer 3

It is certainly among the richest, but the extent of its wealth is not known. The Vatican does not disclose the figures. Much of its wealth is in gold, jewels, and art works as well as land, other real estate, and securities.

Answer 4

Its far from the wealthiest organization in the world.  

Religion has declined considerably in recent decades.  Splits within the church over the centuries have also splintered the concentration of wealth into multiple groups.

The US Catholic church has fared very poorly in recent years.  They have had to dip into their savings in recent years to pay off all the people damaged by their pedophilia scandals and the organized cover-up by the middle-management.   Evidence of this can be seen by their massive property sell-offs, halted construction works, and a spike in declarations of bankruptcy protection by diocese across the country.

If I had to look at an organization, I would look towards the oil cartel OPEC.   They have many times the land, they're typically monarchies, and they're making their money off of a natural resourse which is 99% an export commodity.  Also, they don't spend much of the money on charity works like the caholics do.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church is the "richest" organization in the world because we are the denomination that is closest to God - Catholicism was founded by Jesus.  I'm sure that there probably is a wealth of money, but we Catholics don't see that as the most important thing.  The most important thing is that we believe and God and we are Catholic.

Answer 6

Roman or Greek or Russian Orthodox?

Answer 7

Look up the Bilderberg Group.

or Trilateral Commission  

or US gov't

or Federal Reserve

walmarts bigger than shell (w/345 billion in 07, compared to all the oil companies combined making 120 billion in 07), and the cath church is nowhere on the list. but think about all the taxes.  the federel gov made (i'm guessing) 2,650 billion in tax dollars

http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piecha...

according to that website.

those are organizations right?  at least READ about bilderberg