Nickhere,
Buckley was simply stating his opinion.

As for the RC church and the lack of $, the property & businesses held by the church are in many instances not on the tax rolls. Maybe the huge judgements against pedophile priests are emptying the coffers?? Didn't the Boston Diocese declare bankruptcy for that very reason?   

As for the Vatican's art - which may be worth hundreds of millions - I've a feeling that a Place like the Metropolitan Museum of art could finance a   few pieces if the V. needed or wanted revenue. The Met is financed by gifts, endowments, grants,NYC & admission fees. Are you presupposing the reason the V. is holding on to their art is so they can share the beauty with the public? I think not-they are not an eelymosynary institution by any means.