Since many priests, brothers and sisters make the vow of poverty, why is it that many of them drive newer cars or even live in good homes?
A. As is explained in Acts 4:32-5 above, the vow of poverty is not related to being poor, but rather to sharing everything in common. Those who embrace the vow of poverty do not claim private ownership of any possessions. Everything they have is used for the common good of the religious Order. By being free of owning private possessions, those who embrace a religious life are free to testisfy regarding the glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In view of the facts that the priests are expected to be on time to celebrate the Holy Mass or to administer the Last Rite to the sick, this sometime requiring that they travel a great distance, the religious Order that owns the vehicle(s), provides its priests with vehicles that are believed to be reliable to ensure continuity in their ministry of evangelization. The same can be said for the brothers or sisters who are required to teach at local schools or attend to other spiritual work as part of their callings. Equally, the religious
