"THROWING THESE PEOPLE ONTO GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE???"
Much of SS is actually government assistance. But the core of the program is purchased. The Catholic Church, which provides more private education than all other providers combined, and dominates the not-for-profit, non-governmental caretaking fields, is in financial crisis. Yet no-one is being thrown onto government assistance.
When you go to collect your social security, we;ll see whether you consider it "government assistance."
I find it unconscionable for any organization for which you have given so much of your life to, to simply kick you out the door. I can understand this happening with United Airlines more than I can understand it happening with people who serve the Church/church. I also find it offensive to read bishops saying things like, "Well, they knew they were taking a vow of poverty so they're getting what they deserve." I wonder what the nuns think when they have to figure out how they're going to pay for needed medication. The bishops might just as well as have said, "Go off and die and leave us alone." That's what they meant.
Before we spend money on missionary outreach, perhaps we should look at spending our money on those who have served.