A Shake of the Head

My latest posted photo is a shot of the new Parish Pastoral Centre for Ruam Rudee Parish in central Bangkok.  It sits behind the historical parish church.  The parish is run by the Redemptorists and their new centre is to be opened next month as part of their celebrations in becoming a new province in their Congregation.  The centre is much too huge to capture in one shot with my little camera.  It is worth USD10million.  It is like - what more can I say? 

I know no parish in Australia that could afford or even contemplate such a project.  Yet this happens in a national Church that is but a small minority within the country.  I just wonder what it is saying; what is this about.  This project is but another addition to the many other wealthy, powerful institutions that exist in this little Church which is full of big and wealthy schools and hospitals.  I have my theory about why.  I figure it is about status which is so importnat in the culture here and  I am told that is rather common in Asia. 

Maybe a story from Sunday could best present what I am trying to express. 

One of my young Sri Lankans who is a rather entrepreneurial urban refugee approached the parish priest at Ruam Rudee on the weekend to ask for money to support him in doing a six month English language course.  He approaches the parish priest as he is part of the parish and involved in its outreach work to the poor.  Yes, it is a bit of money - 42,000baht (app AUSD1,300) but it would be most advantageous to his getting ahead in life and doing something productive. 

I asked him what was the priests'e response.  He just said that all the priest did was to shake his head.  I understood but then I looked at this huge parish centre worth 300,000,000baht and it was my turn to shake my head.