Suckahs

A year-end plea for $900,000 yielded $2.4 million for the Lake Forest mega-church led by Rick Warren, the evangelical pastor who gave the invocation at President Obama’s inauguration.

The church does not release comprehensive information about its budget -- or even a budget total -- so it’s difficult for those outside the leadership to get a clear picture of church finances.

The church was never in danger of going under, Cole said. But without the infusion, the church would not have been able to accomplish its ministerial work as planned, she said.

Pardon my skepticism, but when Warren asked for this money, he said, Then, this weekend . . . the bottom dropped out." That raised a red flag for me because how is it that in one weekend you suddenly find yourself in the red to the tune of $900,000? And no accountability?

Tell you what, I know of a church that desperately needs money to keep it - and its parish school - up and running. Located in downtown Santa Ana, St. Joseph's has a largely low-economic parishioner base. It's pastor will gladly let you see the books and sit down to discuss how the money is spent - hell, he'll even get you a cup of coffee.

Send what you can and mention my name.

Maybe I need a PayPal.