Individual diocesan charities, such as Catholic Charities, can be categorized as non-profit organizations and participate in international aid and social services alongside NGOs, as seen in a recent House probe.
Key distinctions
Mission and Identity: The Catholic Church sees itself as a religious institution with a spiritual mission, not just a secular, non-governmental organization. The IRS also considers churches public charities due to their religious and charitable activities.
Operational Structure: NGOs typically have a more centralized and quantifiable structure, while the Catholic Church’s operations are more dispersed and have a broader, less quantifiable scope.
Charitable arms: The Church’s charitable activities, such as those run by Catholic Charities, are distinct from its core identity as a religious body. These charities function as a non-profit arm of the Church and are often recognized as NGOs.
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I can handle the truth. American bishops / leadership have been mostly wonky and woke for forty years. The Church should never take government money. All the laity can do is: 1) stay faithful to Christ and the Eucharist, 2) send donations to charities like the Salvation Army instead, 3) speak up about this perversion of our separation from government.
And I’m pretty sure other religions are doing this too.