Longford, Ireland, Mar 7, 2008 / 00:35 am
Leaders in the Irish Catholic Church have voiced concerns that Mass cards are being sold under false pretenses, with the money going to shop owners and distributors rather than being used for Mass offerings and charity, BBC News reports.
Mass cards with printed signatures are sold in some retail shops. Bishop O’Reilly from Longford said the cards were part of a massive industry and its lack of accountability undermined the public’s confidence in missionary work.
The bishop said that missionary orders are concerned that purchasers of these Mass cards would think they were supporting charity work in the Third World, when, in fact, the money could go to retailers.
In the past, people would buy an unsigned card and have local priests sign them, while making a donation.