I said that the church’s money was ONE of my concerns. That means that there are a few others.
Sell the Pieta to help educate and teach the poor to feed themselves. Many more people could be reached.
The foremost duty of the Church is to pursue the salvation of souls -- a mission that religious art advances. Care for the poor is an important duty, but unlike the care of souls, it is not an end in its own right.
It’s not that the poor are so stupid they don’t know how to feed themselves. They live in areas where there efforts are thwarted. Ie. stolen crops, lack of irrigation, lack of access to fertilizer, lack of access to mkt, transportation...etc. etc. Mainly because they live in countries with corrupt regimes.
But what about the beauty wrought by Michelangleo? Suppose it were shut away by the purchaser not to be seen and shared by millions? It's purchase price would still accomplish but a fraction of the feeding/teaching of the poor, that is our job.