Do Catholics have an option to ‘tithe’/donate to where ever they choose?
For Mormons, ‘tithing’ is to be done to the LDS church proper - I used to make my checks out to SLC “the corporation of the president of the CoJCoLDS”,n with any money given to charites being over what was owed to the Mormon church. However Evangelicals often choose where to donate - my husband and I were between churches and ‘tithed’/donated to various ministries and still divide our donations between the local church and other ministries.
Catholics are of course encouraged to donate to the Church. While some parishes suggest tithing, 5% to the Church, 5% to other charities, it is not mandatory to belong to a parish nor do all parishes tithe. In fact in the Catholic tradition all giving is an act of humility. What you give, that is sacrifice and how you give is between you and the Almighty. Priests can encourage and even beg but they cannot force a Catholic to give or remove their standing in the Church or parish if they choose not to donate. Catholic parishes collect donations or second collections for a wide variety of causes usually Catholic related charities or goals. There is a special second collection yearly known as “Peter’s pence” which is meant to support the papacy. Donations are not mandatory. Of course heavy dollops of the legendary “Catholic guilt” are doled out by the Church when soliciting these donations. There is no doubt a fear in the Church that many Catholics will feel no guilt when it comes to Peter’s Pence donations for the current papacy. Many Catholics will consider such sentiments near heresy but it is what it is given the postures and positions of Pope Francis. Nevertheless most traditional Catholics will continue to donate in the annual “Peter’s Pence” collection. The sentiment being whatever his politics he is still the Pope and the vicar of Christ.