In Poland more and more churches are being introduced victimswhich let parishioners to fold non-cash victims. This technology is becoming more and more common, and in any temples it begins to completely replace the conventional tray. Although this thought is controversial, in many places it was enthusiastic. In the article we will look at how victims change the way donations are made, what are their advantages and how churches in Poland respond to this modern way of collecting victims.
Victims – what is it?
Victims These are electronic devices that let the faithful to make non-cash sacrifices by means of payment cards, telephone or mobile payment systems. These devices appeared in Polish churches in consequence to the increasing popularity of non-cash transactions and changing financial habits of society.
Usually victims are in close to the altar or in peculiar places for donations specified as the side aisles of the church. Thanks to them, the faithful can make donations in a simple way, without the request to carry cash, which is peculiarly convenient in times of expanding number of electronic payments.
Why do churches decide to sacrifice?
Reasons for introduction victims There are respective churches in Poland. First of all, it's about adapting to changing societieswhere Non-cash transactions They become the norm. Over the last fewer years, the NBP data shows that the number of card transactions and mobile payments in Poland is expanding from year to year. In 2023 Poles performed until 2.3 billion non-cash transactions for full value above 1.7 trillion zlotys. For many people today, carrying cash has become unfavorable, and victims offer a convenient alternative.
The introduction of victims besides responds to needs younger generationsthat are utilized to making payments utilizing mobile applications or bank cards. Modern technology makes it easy for the faithful to adapt their habits to conventional church rituals, while making it easier for parishes to collect victims.
Where are the victims now available?
From data National Institute of Church Funds It appears that several 100 churches in Poland already installed victims. Most devices are located in large cities, specified as Warsaw, Kraków is Wrocławwhere modern technology is widely accepted. Nevertheless, these devices begin to appear besides in smaller cities and villages.
One of the first churches to introduce victims in Poland was Church of the Holy Trinity in Warsaw, which installed devices already in 2022. Since then, their popularity has grown, and in 2024 More parishes began to appear, which implement this system.
How do victims work?
Victims are very easy to use. A faithful 1 who wants to make a donation can do so in respective ways:
- Payment card – simply apply a card to the device, enter the appropriate amount and the transaction is executed immediately.
- Mobile payment – Users mobile applications may make payments by means of BLISTER or Apple Pay is Google Pay.
- Proximal payments – as with regular payments in stores, victims besides operate close-up payments, making it easier to rapidly make victims.
Each transaction is confirmed electronically receipt or sending a notification to the phone, which ensures the transparency of the process. For those who want to pay a circumstantial amount, the victims let setting fixed amountWhich facilitates the sacrifice process.
Parishioners' reactions – how were the victims accepted?
The introduction of victims in Polish churches raises different reactions among the faithful. any people appreciate the convenience of non-cash payments and the adaptation of churches to modern trends. The younger generations that are utilized to mobile payments praise the ease of usage of these devices. In many parishes, the installation of victims has been welcomed, and their popularity is increasing rapidly.
However, not everyone is convinced of modern technology in the church. any believers note that specified changes can lead to commercialisation of the church and separate Community character of the victim from the conventional form of donating. There are besides voices that alternatively of introducing technology, the church should focus on prayer together and the spiritual dimension of sacrifice.
Benefits of Sacrifices
Despite controversy, victims benefit both the faithful and the parishes:
- Comfort – The faithful can make non-cash sacrifices, which is simpler and faster than conventional throwing money into a tray.
- Security – non-cash payments destruct risks theft of cashwhich may happen during the collection of victims.
- Increase in parish income – thanks to the victims, the parishes can number on higher revenues, as electronic payments facilitate donations, especially among younger people.
Victims in Polish churches become a modern and convenient way of offering sacrifices. Although this thought is controversial, the number of parishes that decided to introduce this strategy is expanding overnight. The victims aid the faithful to support their parishes more easily, and the churches gain fresh sources of income. However, as with any change, the introduction of these devices besides entails challenges, peculiarly in the context of maintaining the conventional values of the church community.
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Victims in Polish churches – non-cash victims gain popularity