[e_i_pi_2]

My main criticism for it being a pyramid scheme is that it's basically a very old version of self-help seminars, which overlap heavily with pyramid schemes, and they want a percentage of your income (your "downline"), and are encouraged to help recruit - so it has all the indicators

[gattilorenz]

Except you are not requested any percentage of your income (most churchgoers give 1€/2€ per week, plus possibly a government-decided tax or tax discount, in no way mandatory), and you are not encouraged to help “recruit” (but to live your life as a christian.

You are, I think, confusing the Catholic Church with Joevah’s witnesses or other denominations where the things you mention are common. You said in another post “I wasn't raised Catholic so can't speak to their practices”, except you seem to do that quite liberally…