A Lenten Call for Integrity: Protecting the Vulnerable Amid Institutional Accountability
Lent as a Time for Reflection
As we enter the solemn season of Lent, TentMakers of Louisiana reaffirms its commitment to abuse prevention, ethical transparency, and justice for survivors. Lent traditionally calls us toward self-examination, repentance, and renewal—values critically needed as the Catholic Church confronts a growing crisis of credibility, highlighted by declining membership reflected in recent Pew Research.
Declining Trust and Membership in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church explicitly claims in its Catechism (CCC 846) that “Outside the Church there is no salvation,” yet despite this profound declaration, Catholics are increasingly losing faith in the institution. Pew Research data highlights that declining membership and diminished trust stem from concerns about institutional integrity and the Church’s reluctance to embrace genuine reform.
Scriptural Insights on Financial Accountability
Scripture offers clear guidance on the Church’s moral responsibilities, particularly emphasizing caution regarding financial dependence and ethical stewardship. Matthew 6:24 states explicitly, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money,” directly addressing the ethical issues surrounding Church financial transparency and reliance on government funding. This warning underscores the problematic trend of accepting government funds without proper accountability or external oversight, raising serious concerns about the Church’s ethical transparency and moral responsibility.
Recent Examples of Institutional Accountability Failures
Recent controversies have highlighted troubling issues of institutional accountability. Reports by Reuters revealed inadequate protection for vulnerable populations such as migrant children under Catholic-affiliated care, despite significant government funding. Additionally, the Church’s receipt of billions in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief packages, such as PPP loans, without sufficient transparency, underscores the troubling prioritization of institutional financial interests over the genuine safeguarding of vulnerable individuals.
TentMakers of Louisiana’s Call for Transparency and Reform
At TentMakers of Louisiana, our mission directly challenges these inconsistencies. We advocate for robust external oversight, demanding institutional accountability and ethical transparency. Institutions receiving government funds must demonstrate clear accountability and openness to external review to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations genuinely.
A Renewed Commitment for Lent
This Lent, we call on the Catholic Church to authentically embody the values of integrity, accountability, and compassion. Genuine repentance involves not only acknowledging institutional shortcomings but actively undertaking tangible actions toward transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform. Only through sincere reflection and renewed ethical commitments can institutions genuinely fulfill their moral responsibilities to protect and nurture vulnerable populations.
Letitia Peyton
Executive Director, TentMakers of Louisiana
