Atheist Gives $22.5-Million for Catholic Education

Robert W. Wilson, a retired hedge-fund manager, has given $22.5-million for need-based scholarships to New York Catholic schools, even though he’s an atheist, reports Bloomberg News.

“Let’s face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,” Mr. Wilson says. “Shunning religious organizations would be abhorrent. Keep in mind, I’m helping to pay tuition. The money isn’t going directly to the schools.”

His gift will be used to pay some or all of needy children’s tuition to attend one of New York’s Catholic schools.

In 2006, Mr. Wilson told the Associated Press that he plans to give away most of his fortune before he dies. That year, he gave $147.2-million to charities, and ranked 12th on The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual list of the most-generous donors.

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