THE POPE’S LENTEN MESSAGE: CARD. CORDES, THE WIDOW’S OFFERING AND THE "FINANCES OF THE CHURCH" (2)

As to the "media aspects" that are launched following some catastrophe, such as the tsunami, Cordes commented that "it would be helpful if not only the bank account were given, but if the rate the banks withhold to keep their institutions were given too. That would help donors understand how their gifts reach the needy ones, while remaining as plentiful as possible". About this, Cordes thinks that "the internal consumption in the charity agencies of the Church can be considered exemplary". The administration costs of the Italian Caritas, for example, accounted for 9% of the offerings, those of the Order of Malta 7%, and those of the agency "Kirche in Not" 6%. As to the foundations run by Cor Unum, stated Cordes, "Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II for Sahel and” “Fondazione Populorum Progressio for Latin America only have to pay for logistic-administrative support to the distribution of the gifts; it was 3% in 2006".