Comedian: Sell the Vatican to End Hunger

Sarah Silverman's Video Goes Viral on Web; Catholic League Calls it a "Filthy Diatribe"

(AP)  Comedian Sarah Silverman has a new proposal for ending world hunger: Sell the Vatican.

In a new profanity-laced monologue making the rounds on YouTube in time for U.N. World Food Day on Friday, Silverman suggests that it's time for the pope to "move out of your house that is a city" and use the proceeds to feed the world's poor.

"On an ego level alone you will be the biggest hero in the history of ever!" she exclaimed. "Sell the Vatican. Feed the world."

The Vatican clearly has no plans to follow suit. On Thursday, a spokesman declined to comment. But the Catholic League, the U.S. Catholic civil rights organization, denounced Silverman and cable broadcaster HBO for her "obscene" and "filthy diatribe."

In a statement, it noted that such an attack would never have been leveled against, say, the chief rabbi of Jerusalem or the state of Israel and added that the "Catholic Church operates more hospitals and feeds more of the poor than any private institution in the world."

Yet the Rev. James Martin, culture editor of the Jesuit magazine America, says Silverman may be onto something. In an online article, Martin noted that Jesus himself told his followers to sell what they had and give it to the poor.

"Of course Pope Benedict XVI could not 'sell' any of the treasures of the Vatican, the same way that your local archbishop couldn't sell off the cathedral at a whim; they are not his, they are the church's," Martin wrote. "And the church is not simply the hierarchy but the entire people of God."

But he added: "Still, perhaps Ms. Silverman, in her postmodern, potty-mouthed way is on to something. Like Jesus was. Sell the Vatican? Well, maybe not everything but perhaps a statue or two?"

For the record, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which just released its annual report on the state of world hunger, says global food output will have to increase by 70 percent to feed a projected population of 9.1 billion in 2050.

To achieve that, poor countries will need $44 billion in annual agricultural aid, compared with the current $7.9 billion, the Rome-based FAO said. Overall, an annual net investment in agriculture of $83 billion is needed to feed the world.

Even if the pope were to sell the Vatican, it wouldn't be enough.

In 2004, the Vatican disclosed that the Holy See's real estate was worth 700 million euros, or about $908 million at the time. That doesn't include St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, which the Vatican termed priceless and valued at a symbolic 1 euro.

While the Vatican's artistic holdings are obviously worth millions, the institution itself doesn't bring in a lot of cash. In 2008, it ran a euro0.9 million ($1.28 million) deficit, the second year of losses. Revenues were euro253.9 million and expenses euro254.8 million.

The Vatican began publishing its finances in 1981, when Pope John Paul II ordered financial disclosure to debunk the idea that the Vatican was rich.

Silverman, who is no stranger to religiously and racially charged slurs, gained international attention with her 2008 "The Great Schlep" campaign in which she exhorted Jews to go to Florida to convince their grandparents to vote for Barack Obama.

[nscates2]

Q: Why does the leader of a religious institution need an entire city as his personal abode?
A: It's not his personal abode. It is the Holy See of the Catholic Church. It isn't the Pope's property. It is just as much my property as it is yours. It is a beautiful city, why dismantle it? In Something similar, why dismantle something so historic and beautiful as the Taj Mahal?

Q: Given the shear amount of priceless works of art, gold leafing, and other ancient treasures harbored by the church...how does one reconcile the teachings of Jesus with such massing of wealth?

A: Actually putting true thought into this reveals that this would neither be a sufficient or sustainable solution.

Q: What purpose does the Vatican City serve, beyond being the home of the pope? In which case do you feel God would be most pleased...the Pope lives in a one room apartment on the upper west side living off the bare minimum while a VERY large portion of the world's hungry are fed on the proceeds of Vatican riches. Or, the pope continues to live in his shangrila on earth while millions beg for something to eat. Would God prefer scenario number one or two?

A: Who are we to judge the lives of the Pope? It is a place that God has provided the man. I am perfectly fine with it, I think he deserves it, just as Barack deserves the White House. If you feel bad about the place he is dwelling in, go to www.crs.org to see what "little the Church is doing" for the poor.

[thinkharder-]

You know what I find interesting, is that all those who are attacking Sarah here are not in fact critiquing her suggestion so much as they are broadly attacking her style and comedic wit. The reason? She is right. It is difficult to refute her because her logic is sound?

Do me a favor...without going into some long diatribe about how anti-catholic I am...answer these questions:

-Why does the leader of a religious institution need an entire city as his personal abode?
-Given the shear amount of priceless works of art, gold leafing, and other ancient treasures harbored by the church...how does one reconcile the teachings of Jesus with such massing of wealth?
-What purpose does the Vatican City serve, beyond being the home of the pope?
-In which case do you feel God would be most pleased...the Pope lives in a one room apartment on the upper west side living off the bare minimum while a VERY large portion of the world's hungry are fed on the proceeds of Vatican riches. Or, the pope continues to live in his shangrila on earth while millions beg for something to eat. Would God prefer scenario number one or two?

[CommentMaker]

I think the Catholic church puts spiritual value on relics. These relics happen to be very valuable. However, there is greater value in supporting and feeding the poor than storing up something to look at when you pray. A picture is worth a 1000 words.

[CommentMaker]

Proverbs 17:28 "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." That's good advice Sarah. Then, of course, you're a woman.

[babooph]

Lets put a fat tax on all religious property-they are all nothing but a bunch of private clubs-I practice agnostisism at home -why do I pay property tax& that bunch skate??

[Stevenapoli7]

Screw you Silverman

[lyndar2]

I thought the Vatican was almost broke because of all the pedophile settlements against the Priests.

[6306abc]

God bless Hammas.

[dudzim]

End war in the Middle East - give Palestine back to the Palestinians.

Just a joke ...


M

[skepticalJM]

What does the Church need all that wealth for? Somewhat worldly I'd say, especially since their founder ended up on a cross for the world's sins, especially GREED.

[armyoftwelve]

What part of the article did you read???

Let's see the hovel that you live in you selfrighteous little creep.

[NikeOfficer]

Another Bimbo!

[andacar]

Sarah Silverman is an idiot. She'll say anything to get attention, and I'm certain she's glad the Vatican rose to the debate. When I was 18 and stupid I sounded like her. I grew up. So should she. Take some advice Sarah: shut up.

[psampjr]

Raid the coffers of all the synagogues in the US and israel, and you would come up with enough money to buy the Vatican 10 times over.

[dnamj]

The church should start by selling the jails they own.

[NikeOfficer]

Pray tell. What jails and where?

[kodiak09]

She'll do anything to generate publicity for her sad pathetic career. 15 minutes are almost up.

[jimbryho]

that "sad pathetic career" is more success than you'll ever know.

[bill0bob]

If selling the Vatican won't raise enough money to feed everyone in the world who's hungry, perhaps the Mormons would like to sell all their assets to make up the difference. They are the wealthiest church in the US, per capita.

[Meirkatz]

Perhaps we should sell Israel back to the rightful owners, the Palestinians, and then feed all the Muslims with the proceeds.

[Turbidite]

How about Bernie Madoff's $50 billion going to the hungry, along with $140 billion in Wall Street bonuses (AKA U.S. Taxpayers money)
More than 1 billion people, one sixth of humanity, will have experienced undernourishment by the end of 2009. The UN relief program is offering a pitiful $2.9 billion to aid the hungry.

[slownewsday_5]

Hilarious! Nice call, Sarah!

[eyesopenwide]

And I'm wondering just what the catholic church will ever do with the pile of treasure under the vatican - reported to be the largest treasure known to mankind.

They preach christianity but hoard all the wealth; doesn't sound like the teaching of the mythical Jesus to me.

[armyoftwelve]

...says one bigot to another....

[bubbadubba]

If you do not like the idea of the world being totally Muslim, thank the Catholic Church.
Look it up.
The Crusades stopped the attempt by Muslims to invade and conquer Europe.
But I guess for Muslims that explains why they hate the Crusades, it ruined their big plan.

[slownewsday_5]

Do you have something against Muslims?

[P0STING_AWAY]

You must be from the South.
Your comments reek of a lack of education / intelligence.
There is a closet poster on these boards who is/was known as "Rowdy" ....
I am guessing you two are related.