[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Sorry, you’ve confused me - a Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors; how is the Pope and/or the Roman Catholic Church like that?

I doubt that I've confused you! I suppose you're trying to be literal about the meaning of a Ponzi scheme.

In this case, the Pope (and/or his predecessors) is/are the "first investor" and the subscribing flock are the existing/renewable flock. Then there is whatever the Catholic church invests in so as to grow its riches.

Generally, peops know what I mean.

The CoE is another such Ponzi scheme - perhaps even more so.