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Pope Francis to UN delegation: “legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the State”
WDTPRS ^ | May 9, 2014 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Posted on 05/09/2014 1:56:14 PM PDT by NYer

Today Pope Francis addressed a delegation of the UN – which I remind you is a principle agent for promoting abortion world-wide.

Below please find the full text of Pope Francis’ address to the United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes on Friday, led by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

There is some blah blah at first, but keep reading. My emphases and comments.

NOTE: A lot of this is simply warmed up John Paul II and Benedict XVI. There isn’t much new here, apart from the terrible wording about the State and redistribution. But we can, for the most part, say “Ho hum! Next?”

Mr Secretary General,Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to welcome you, Mr Secretary-General and the leading executive officers of the Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the United Nations and specialized Organizations, as you gather in Rome for the biannual meeting for strategic coordination of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board.It is significant that today’s meeting takes place shortly after the solemn canonization of my predecessors, Popes John XXIII and John Paul II. The new saints inspire us by their passionate concern for integral human development and for understanding between peoples. This concern was concretely expressed by the numeous visits of John Paul II to the Organizations headquartered in Rome and by his travels to New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and The Hague.

I thank you, Mr Secretary-General, for your cordial words of introduction. I thank all of you, who are primarily responsible for the international system, for the great efforts being made to ensure world peace, respect for human dignity, the protection of persons, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and harmonious economic and social development.The results of the Millennium Development Goals, especially in terms of education and the decrease in extreme poverty, confirm the value of the work of coordination carried out by this Chief Executives Board. At the same time, it must be kept in mind that the world’s peoples deserve and expect even greater results. [Do they?]

An essential principle of management is the refusal to be satisfied with current results and to press forward, in the conviction that those gains are only consolidated by working to achieve even more. In the case of global political and economic organization, much more needs to be achieved, since an important part of humanity does not share in the benefits of progress and is in fact relegated to the status of second-class citizens. [Perhaps the true culprits in that are local governments.] Future Sustainable Development Goals must therefore be formulated and carried out with generosity and courage, so that they can have a real impact on the structural causes of poverty and hunger, attain more substantial results in protecting the environment, ensure dignified and productive labor for all, and provide appropriate protection for the family, [Wasn't it some UN thingie that suggested that the Holy See was responsible for torture by teaching against abortion?] which is an essential element in sustainable human and social development. Specifically, this involves challenging all forms of injustice and resisting the “economy of exclusion”, the “throwaway culture” and the “culture of death” which nowadays sadly risk becoming passively accepted.With this in mind, I would like to remind you, as representatives of the chief agencies of global cooperation, of an incident which took place two thousand years ago and is recounted in the Gospel of Saint Luke (19:1-10). It is the encounter between Jesus Christ and the rich tax collector Zacchaeus, as a result of which Zacchaeus made a radical decision of sharing and justice, because his conscience had been awakened by the gaze of Jesus. [Do I remember this correctly, or was Zacchaeus already giving half of the wealth he was creating to the poor, and he did it voluntarily, on his own? The government wasn't doing it for him. Right? And, apparently, he kept enough to continue to create wealth.] This same spirit should be at the beginning and end of all political and economic activity. The gaze, often silent, of that part of the human family which is cast off, left behind, ought to awaken the conscience of political and economic agents and lead them to generous and courageous decisions with immediate results, like the decision of Zacchaeus. Does this spirit of solidarity and sharing guide all our thoughts and actions?
Today, in concrete terms, an awareness of the dignity of each of our brothers and sisters whose life is sacred and inviolable from conception to natural death must lead us to share with complete freedom the goods which God’s providence has placed in our hands, material goods but also intellectual and spiritual ones, and to give back generously and lavishly whatever we may have earlier unjustly refused to others. ["Share with complete freedom". NOT "share by government or other agency confiscation and redistribution.] The account of Jesus and Zacchaeus teaches us that above and beyond economic and social systems and theories, there will always be a need to promote generous, effective and practical openness to the needs of others. Jesus does not ask Zacchaeus to change jobs nor does he condemn his financial activity; he simply inspires him to put everything, freely yet immediately and indisputably, at the service of others. [Again, do I remember correctly? Wasn't he already giving half his wealth to the poor before he stood face to face with the Lord?] Consequently, I do not hesitate to state, as did my predecessors (cf. JOHN PAUL II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 42-43; Centesimus Annus, 43; BENEDICT XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 6; 24-40), that equitable economic and social progress can only be attained by joining scientific and technical abilities with an unfailing commitment to solidarity accompanied by a generous and disinterested spirit of gratuitousness at every level. A contribution to this equitable development will also be made both by international activity aimed at the integral human development of all the world’s peoples and [Wait for it...] by the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the State, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society. [By the STATE? When has any "State" done this effectively? And what does "legitimate" mean? According to laws that are passed? And if the laws are bad laws? And who will administrate it?]

Consequently, while encouraging you in your continuing efforts to coordinate the activity of the international agencies, which represents a service to all humanity, I urge you to work together in promoting a true, worldwide ethical mobilization which, beyond all differences of religious or political convictions, will spread and put into practice a shared ideal of fraternity and solidarity, especially with regard to the poorest and those most excluded. Invoking divine guidance on the work of your Board, I also implore God’s special blessing for you, Mr Secretary-General, for the Presidents, Directors and Secretaries General present among us, and for all the personnel of the United Nations and the other international Agencies and Bodies, and their respective families.

Combox moderation queue is ON.

I wonder how many people are still listening to him seriously on this issue.

Also, I would like to know if anyone around him is telling him that there are alternative ways of dealing with poverty apart from merely redistributing the wealth that other people create? Is Pope Francis talking to anyone about ideas that actually work?

I suspect other people might have the same reaction that I have when hearing/reading this stuff. It comes across as naive, out of step with history. Has any nation successfully dealt with poverty through redistribution? I don’t think so. Moreover, who would supervise this process of global redistribution? Angels? EU bureaucrats? The UN? Card. Rodriguez Maradiaga? Card. Kasper?

Finally, and I don’t mean this to be snarky, though I realize it could come off that way, given Argentina’s track record, should anyone from Argentina tell anyone else anything about how to deal with economic issues? A map of Argentina is in the illustrated dictionary by the entry “self-imposed economic decline”. Bad economies don’t create wealth. You can take every dime from ever person who has them and give them to the poor, and, at the end of the day you will have greater devastation. And the State solutions do no better.

How about talking about something other than what has been shown time and again to be disaster?


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: catholic; francis; incomeequality; incomeinequality; liberationtheology; marxism; pope; popefrancis; redistribution; socialism; vatican
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1 posted on 05/09/2014 1:56:14 PM PDT by NYer
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To: Tax-chick; GregB; Berlin_Freeper; SumProVita; narses; bboop; SevenofNine; Ronaldus Magnus; tiki; ...

Fr. Z weighs in on the pope’s address today. The media are already spinning this like a top. Ping!


2 posted on 05/09/2014 1:57:09 PM PDT by NYer ("You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears." James 4:14)
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To: NYer

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3154055/posts


3 posted on 05/09/2014 1:59:31 PM PDT by PapaNew
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To: NYer

4 posted on 05/09/2014 2:02:11 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Obamacare: You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.)
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To: NYer

Argentine and Jesuit.


5 posted on 05/09/2014 2:03:35 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (I will raise $2M for Cruz and/or Palin's next run, what will you do?)
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To: NYer
yo Francis !

You first! just let me redistribute all the churches riches as I see fit and then we'll talk about letting the governments of the world redistributes the riches of everyone else.

6 posted on 05/09/2014 2:03:43 PM PDT by TexasFreeper2009 (Obama lied .. the economy died.)
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To: NYer

The Pope is not an economist. In this case he is not speaking about matters of faith and morals. I will ignore what he has to say on this subject.


7 posted on 05/09/2014 2:03:54 PM PDT by forgotten man
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To: NYer

The demonic Left’s new best friend.

The forums are buzzing with leftists touting “God’s new message to conservatives.” They are ecstatic (as if anything any pope said means a hill of beans to any fundamentalist Christian.)

So, he’s now a “gay” socialist.


8 posted on 05/09/2014 2:04:04 PM PDT by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: NYer

This guy has been irritating me for a long time. If America followed the Pope’s prescription, we and the entire world would be living in squalor. Bob


9 posted on 05/09/2014 2:06:25 PM PDT by alstewartfan (Down the legions of years the invaders have taken this land And bent you to their will. Al Stewart)
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To: NYer

IMHO, “legitimate” income distributionby the state is equally legitimate as is “legitimate” rape.


10 posted on 05/09/2014 2:10:36 PM PDT by Hawthorn
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To: NYer
IMO,Jesus made it very clear,more than once,that charitable works are expected of His followers.So it seems to me that,when it comes to matters related to money and the "poor",Christ was basically a socialist.But I don't recall Him ever having said that "charity" should be exacted by government officials at the risk of punishment.

I know I'll be judged by Him,in among other ways,by the "charity" I show to the less fortunate.I also know that I will not be harshly judged by Him because of my opposition to government attempts to redistribute wealth in the way Osama Obama,and many other Marxist politicians worldwide,have tried to do.

11 posted on 05/09/2014 2:11:50 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Stalin Blamed The Kulaks,Obama Blames The Tea Party)
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To: NYer

” I disagree “by the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the State, “

This pope appears to be a communist in a white cassock.

Mt 20:15
New International Version
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

New Living Translation
Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

GOD’S WORD® Translation
Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’

International Standard Version
I am allowed to do what I want with my own money, am I not? Or are you envious because I’m generous?’


12 posted on 05/09/2014 2:12:25 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 ("The Second Amendment has no limits on firepower"-NY State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione.")
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To: NYer
The media are already spinning this like a top.

Really, no spinning is necessary.

13 posted on 05/09/2014 2:12:51 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by nature not nurture)
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To: forgotten man

I won’t.

Pope’s a commie, and it’s been obvious for some time now.

It isn’t wise to ignore commies in our midst. We can see quite clearly where that has gotten us.


14 posted on 05/09/2014 2:15:56 PM PDT by chris37 (Heartless.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"Argentine and Jesuit."

Bingo!

15 posted on 05/09/2014 2:16:40 PM PDT by redhead (NO GROUND TO THE DEVIL! Remember BENGHAZI!! Use Weaponized Prayer)
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To: redhead

Will Some gaucho please throw a bola around this pope?


16 posted on 05/09/2014 2:24:29 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 ("The Second Amendment has no limits on firepower"-NY State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione.")
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To: bunkerhill7

Since I do not have any serious agrement with the the views of the Roman Catholic faith as the powers or responsibilities of the Pope I will just take his view as with any other world leader, that of a person in power agreeing that the state may take MORE from some to give to others by the age old doctrine of MIGHT makes Right. One that I happen to not agree with.

His position on abortion I do agree with by the way, based on the biblical events where the pre birth children were seen as people.


17 posted on 05/09/2014 2:30:19 PM PDT by Bidimus1
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To: NYer; Tax-chick; GregB; Berlin_Freeper; SumProVita; narses; bboop; SevenofNine; Ronaldus Magnus; ...

I recommend reading Ed Morrisey’s Hot Air blog on this new Papal Comment. Ed makes a very good point that the Pope is talking about Zacchaeus who decides to spend HIS own money. And that It is NOT a call for the government to tax and spend our money.

Ed closes with this statement: “ It’s clear, though, that he wasn’t calling for widespread and massive confiscation of wealth by governments. In fact, the story of Zacchaeus points out the dangers and injustice that result from that kind of policy.”

http://hotair.com/archives/2014/05/09/pope-francis-zacchaeus-and-legitimate-redistribution/


18 posted on 05/09/2014 2:32:40 PM PDT by GreyFriar ( Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: NYer

the POPE doesn’t not Represent 100% of catholics when he encourages government redistribution....he is BLATANTLY POLITICAL


19 posted on 05/09/2014 2:34:13 PM PDT by Understand the stimulus
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To: Gay State Conservative

“IMO,Jesus made it very clear,more than once,that charitable works are expected of His followers.So it seems to me that,when it comes to matters related to money and the “poor”,Christ was basically a socialist.”

How so ?
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. NASB

John 12:8
“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.

As far as contracts and labor Christ spoke in parable far against the socialist dictum of from each is ability and to each his need..

Matthew 20:1-16
As each was paid what was agreed not what was “fair” in the socialist sense but what was FAIR the contract agreed to by the workers

Even Ananias selling HIS property was free to give or not to the Church his error was in saying that he would give all and then being shown to not have don so. Acts 5:1

It is true that charity shall cover a multitude of sins (KV) but Socialism is compelled and in now way charitable but force.

As with all Biblical matters it is my hope that I have not misrepresented them in any way.


20 posted on 05/09/2014 2:46:51 PM PDT by Bidimus1
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