Josef Ratzinger's statement is compatible with this one: "Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist." Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno (1931)
Would that “man into merchandise” thing be the same as the slavery found in the Bible, which gives instructions on how slaves should be treated (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1), but certainly does not outlaw the practice altogether? I’m not justifying or advocating slavery. I do consider this a valid criticism of Christianity, and by extension the Catholic Church. Basically, I reject the notion that the Pope or the Catholic Church has moral standing to criticize others, because of its past performance. I’m sure you and many others here will disagree. Like it or not those are the historical facts.