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Voice in DC
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Pope suggests global economy
2 stars|7 comments|July 07, 2009|162 reads
 
I have never liked it when someone else wants to redistribute what little wealth I have worked hard to achieve. I, personally, believe it is our responsibility to take care of our own families and communities. Maybe if the church would just be the church we wouldn't look to government to solve our woes...just a thought...

Click here for full article.

Papal message seeks "global authority" for economy

Tue Jul 7, 2009 7:36am EDT

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Tuesday called for a "world political authority" to manage the global economy and for more government regulation of national economies to pull the world out of the current crisis and avoid a repeat.

The pope's call for a re-think of the way the world economy is run came in new encyclical which touched on a number of social issues but whose main connecting thread was how the current crisis has affected both rich and poor nations.

Called "Charity in Truth," parts of the encyclical appeared bound to upset conservatives because of its underlying rejection of unbridled capitalism and unregulated market forces, which he said had led to "thoroughly destructive" abuse of the system.

The pope said every economic decision has a moral consequence and called for "forms of redistribution" of wealth overseen by governments to help those most affected by crises.

 
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Chris Parker
 Chris Parker
July 07, 2009
Too bad the pope didn't go into the morality of redistributing the wealth of those who worked for it to the people who didn't.  Dosen't the scripture says something like "If a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat"?  Of course, we know that's outdated and intolerant.
Debbie
 Debbie
July 07, 2009
  [star!]
And a star to Pastor Chris!
MarJay HizWay
 MarJay HizWay
July 07, 2009
  [star!]

Right on PastorChris.....I'm with you ;o)

DarkRadiance
 DarkRadiance
July 07, 2009

Before you all jump on a bandwagon,how about actually reading the encyclical:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html

Voice in DC
 Voice in DC
July 07, 2009
Well, I read the entire encyclical and I did not get what the press article declares. I did not read the many references, though. It does suggest that States and people groups ban together to help each other through this time of economic change. It encourages States to NOT go into isolationism, but to reach out to others. It reviews the plight of some States where economic development has caused a significant gap between "rich" and "poor" and recognizes that in each culture those terms express different things. It does challenge us, as people, as the Church, and as a State of wealth, to eliminate corruption throughout our charitable systems whether they be nongovernmental or governmental....lots of good words here, but nowhere do I read for the call of a "world political authority". The one place that comes close is the call for political authorities to work together for the common good which is something, I believe, the Church should call for. Additionally, it calls for very careful consideration for short term "fixes" that have long term impacts. Can't argue with that.

I do like the opening lines of his closing..."Without God man neither knows which way to go, nor even understands who he is. In the face of the enormous problems surrounding the development of peoples, which almost make us yield to discouragement, we find solace in the sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches us: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5) and then encourages us: “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). "
DarkRadiance
 DarkRadiance
July 07, 2009
Thanks for your analysis Voice. Encyclicals are nuanced and do not fit easily into sound bites. Unfortunately that is what they get turned into, with the rather skewed result that you see in the article. I think that it is a timely encyclical and one which hopefully will impact the world in the positive manner in which it was intended.

Pax,
MD

p.s.
Good to see you back!
Voice in DC
 Voice in DC
July 08, 2009
Thanks MD. I thought it was written very well and clearly with a lot of thought. I still contend if the Church would be the Church she was intended to be, we wouldn't look to political figures to solve the problems of the world. They would look to us. You are correct that there is no sound bite that summarizes it.