text: That Catholic adherents are contributing to this fund is laudable -- but should have been unnecessary. 
  
  The bottom line is that the religious in question worked for the institutional church. It is the institutional church that is responsible for them in retirement. And I suspect only a small part of the Vatican's wealth would be required.
  
  The donations are better spent on destitute, and/or ill, and/or homeless, and/or uninsured, and/or otherwise needy individuals who do not have a financially sound institution on which to rely.