Is the Pope an enemy of Capitalism? Evangelii Gaudium explains his views

CATHOLIC ONLINE ^ | 12/01/2013

[SeekAndFind]

Pope Francis has authored his first letter and in it he makes a bold statement Tuesday, calling upon world leaders to fight unrestricted capitalism, which he called "a new tyranny." He also called for moving power away from the Vatican and renew of the Church.

In an 84 page document known as an apostolic exhortation, titled, "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel) Pope Francis explained some of his positions on key matters in a very official capacity. Among those positions was a warning that unfettered capitalism was a danger.

For Americans, especially conservatives, this may sound like an ominous sign, but it must be viewed in a Catholic light. Capitalism, if unchecked, enables the wealthy to become increasingly powerful without any substantial net benefit to the balance of society. It promotes a form of inequality in which only the wealthy profit by work and all others merely subsist.

Pope Francis referred to this as "a new tyranny" pointing out concerns that as capitalist movements gain ground, many people are being left behind, shut off from opportunity. Meanwhile, those with access to opportunity and wealth commit "idolatry of money" by doing that which is most profitable without regard for the rest of society.

[WayneS]

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