Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Pope's New Encyclical Speaks Against, not for One-World Government and New World Order
LifeSiteNews ^ | July 8, 2009 | John-Henry Westen

Posted on 07/09/2009 8:37:07 AM PDT by NYer

Newspapers, blogs, talk-shows on radio and television are full of discussion over Pope Benedict XVI's supposed call for a "new world order" or a "one-world government."  These ideas are, however, neither based in reality nor a clear reading of the Pope's latest encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, the release of which yesterday spawned the heated discussion.

The Pope actually speaks directly against a one-world government, and, as would be expected from those who have read his previous writings, calls for massive reform of the United Nations.  Confusion seems to have come from paragraph 67 of the encyclical, which has some choice pull-quotes which have spiced the pages of the world's news, from the New York Times to those of conspiracy theorist bloggers seeing the Pope as the Anti-Christ.

The key quote which has led to the charge reads: "To manage the global economy; to revive economies hit by the crisis; to avoid any deterioration of the present crisis and the greater imbalances that would result; to bring about integral and timely disarmament, food security and peace; to guarantee the protection of the environment and to regulate migration: for all this, there is urgent need of a true world political authority, as my predecessor Blessed John XXIII indicated some years ago."

However, in paragraph 41, the Holy Father specifically differentiates his concept of a world political authority from that of a one-world government.  "We must," he says "promote a dispersed political authority."  He explains that "The integrated economy of the present day does not make the role of States redundant, but rather it commits governments to greater collaboration with one another. Both wisdom and prudence suggest not being too precipitous in declaring the demise of the State. In terms of the resolution of the current crisis, the State's role seems destined to grow, as it regains many of its competences. In some nations, moreover, the construction or reconstruction of the State remains a key factor in their development."

Later in the encyclical (57) he speaks of the opposite concept to one- world government -subsidiarity (the principle of Catholic social teaching which states that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority) - as being essential. "In order not to produce a dangerous universal power of a tyrannical nature, the governance of globalization must be marked by subsidiarity," says the Pope.

Another of the key quotes which is being extracted for shock value from the encyclical is this: "In the face of the unrelenting growth of global interdependence, there is a strongly felt need, even in the midst of a global recession, for a reform of the United Nations Organization, and likewise of economic institutions and international finance, so that the concept of the family of nations can acquire real teeth."

Since long before his papacy, Joseph Ratzinger has vigorously fought the United Nations' vision of a 'New World Order'.  As early as 1997, and repeated subsequently, Ratzinger took public aim at such a vision, noting that the philosophy coming from UN conferences and the Millennium Summit "proposes strategies to reduce the number of guests at the table of humanity, so that the presumed happiness [we] have attained will not be affected."

"At the base of this New World Order", he said is the ideology of "women's empowerment," which erroneously sees "the principal obstacles to [a woman's] fulfillment [as] the family and maternity." The then-cardinal advised that "at this stage of the development of the new image of the new world, Christians - and not just them but in any case they even more than others - have the duty to protest."

Benedict XVI in fact repeats those criticisms in the new encyclical. In Caritas in Veritate, the Pope slams "practices of demographic control, on the part of governments that often promote contraception and even go so far as to impose abortion."  He also denounces international economic bodies such as the IMF and World Bank (without specifically naming them) for their lending practices which tie aid to so-called 'family planning.'  "There is reason to suspect that development aid is sometimes linked to specific health-care policies which de facto involve the imposition of strong birth control measures," says the encyclical.

Any vision of a proper ordering of the world, of international economics or political cooperation, suggests the Pope, must be based on a "moral order." That includes first and foremost "the fundamental right to life" from conception to natural death, the recognition of the family based on marriage between one man and one woman as the basis of society and freedom for faith and cooperation among all peoples based on principles of natural law.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: catholic; encyclical; loveintruth; media; msm; pope
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 next last
To: NYer; fooman; ConservativeMind; PetroniusMaximus; Wuli; Brett66; rollo tomasi
It appears we still have some confusion here -- people are believing the lamestream journalism that first bashed this document rather than reading it for themselves.

Here are two threads for them to also read!

A Capitalist or Anti-Capitalist Encyclical? [Caritas in Veritate]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Subsidiarity, [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

21 posted on 07/09/2009 9:32:34 AM PDT by Salvation (With God all things are possible.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
"We must," he says "promote a dispersed political authority."

This is what happens when people don't read the totality of the encyclical and try to cherry pick quotes.

Having read about 2/3 of the encyclical at this point, I can say that it's not the kind of thing that can be reduced to pull-quotes. It must be read, considered, digested, reconsidered, studied, and discussed.
22 posted on 07/09/2009 9:34:13 AM PDT by Antoninus (Time to fight back--donate to Free Republic, then donate to www.sarahpac.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xzins

I’m surprised that you have not read the entire document and would come out with statesments taken out of context. Have you read the entire document? It’s linked in several of the links above.


23 posted on 07/09/2009 9:34:23 AM PDT by Salvation (With God all things are possible.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: NYer
This is being posted to Breaking News to address the confusion arising from another thread, two days ago.

It's not in Breaking News anymore...

24 posted on 07/09/2009 9:34:57 AM PDT by ELS (Vivat Benedictus XVI!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Wuli
"There is no confusion. The Pope is a socialist."

The Pope is trying to imitate Jesus not imitate an economist. If you consider Jesus a socialist, then the Pope is a socialist.

25 posted on 07/09/2009 9:36:50 AM PDT by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

So, you would have a problem with a political authority that was universally recognized? Isn’t that a good thing?


26 posted on 07/09/2009 9:38:05 AM PDT by Antoninus (Time to fight back--donate to Free Republic, then donate to www.sarahpac.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
You're viewing this through "political" spectacles, instead of through the lenses of faith. The pope is not a politician; he is neither consrvative or liberal. The encyclical is written with heavy references to Scripture. If this topic is that meaningful to you, then you should make the time to read the encyclical in its entirety - again, through the lenses of faith.

CARITAS IN VERITATE

27 posted on 07/09/2009 9:39:03 AM PDT by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone"- Benedict XVI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator
As you have rightly concluded, Believers in Jesus, the Christ, will one day live under a theocracy and one-world government. The groundwork being laid by fallen man will fail through arrogance and pride, but as scripture says, “all things work for good to those who love the Lord,” because all things were created for Him, by Him. I can live with that. Actually, I expect to. ;-)
28 posted on 07/09/2009 9:42:02 AM PDT by Constitutions Grandchild
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne; nmh

Ping!


29 posted on 07/09/2009 9:50:59 AM PDT by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone"- Benedict XVI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

See #2. I was just responding to NYer.


30 posted on 07/09/2009 9:57:49 AM PDT by xzins (Chaplain Says: Jesus befriends those who seek His help.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Zionist Conspirator

I don’t really feel the need to make a distinction on the matter of OOG or a OOR. I do not see God bringing a OOG or OOR into existence on this earth prior to it being purged at the end of the thousand years.

From you pseudonym, I take it you believe in Jesus returning and setting up an Earthly kingdom. That’s probably why we differ in our assessments.

No offense intended.

I will admit to being qutie apprehensive about the idea of any OOG or OOR set up on this earth, as if it were part of God’s grand design, prior to the Second Coming and Jesus taking the Righteous away with Him for a period of time.

If something like this were to take place, as if God were The One directing it, I believe it would be fertile ground for some of the worst abuses to be perpetrated on humanity in all of history.

If I read you accurately, you probably don’t reverence the New Testament. That may be why we disagree here.

Again, no offense intended.

If I’m misreading you, I apologize. I was merely trying to comment on what your beliefs might be as a Jewish person. Please correct me if I’m off base. I would appreciate it.


31 posted on 07/09/2009 10:05:09 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (_Resident of the United States and Kenya's favorite son, Baraaaack Hussein Obamaaaa...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Thanks. I’m glad to see this rebuttal of sorts.

Not much could be worse for this old world, than for an organization like the U.N. to be granted more power.

We need for it to be disbanded, immediately.


32 posted on 07/09/2009 10:06:48 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (_Resident of the United States and Kenya's favorite son, Baraaaack Hussein Obamaaaa...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: ex-snook

I will find you the quote.

He has, himself, said that his political thinking is closest to Europe’s “democratic” socialists. His economic euphemisms reflect that fact.


33 posted on 07/09/2009 10:09:38 AM PDT by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
how do you do a “New, New World Order” with subsidiary?

Just like the federal system of the United States was supposed to work: Matters local to a jurisdiction are adjudicated in that jurisdiction, and matters crossing jurisdictions are adjudicated by an interjusridictional body whose only mandate if for such interjusridictional disputes.

34 posted on 07/09/2009 10:12:58 AM PDT by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

The Catholic Pope could end any confusion by not speaking and writing in euphemisms and call a spade a spade - plain speaking. He hasn’t and he won’t.

AND HE KNOWS he makes allies with Marxists because he refuses to speak plainly, and they love him for appearing to give moral authority to their view, and with that THEIR view gains, politically, they gain political majorities and those majorities don’t give two bits about the Catholic Church’s teachings on life, family and sexuality.

It is a game Catholic intellectuals, like Benedict, have been playing in Europe for decades, and losing the flock with.


35 posted on 07/09/2009 10:17:44 AM PDT by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: annalex

So how could this new world authority come to an economic judgment (your country must tax more or less than it does) and enforce it from “within our country,” then?


36 posted on 07/09/2009 10:24:53 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (The UN has never won a war, nor a conflict, but liberals want it to rule all militaries.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: NYer; Salvation; All

If people read enough of the encyclicals starting with Pope Leo XIII on the abuse of human freedom that has been leading up to this point ,they would understand this encyclical is more a warning to the human centered globalization that was predicted and already here due to man’s immorality to obey God.

We should be looking at this encyclical as a final warning from God given to the Church for mankind to end materialism,greed,abortion etc.. and to be willing to sacrifice for others through charity and for the love of fellow man who suffers poverty ,hopelessness etc..

In other words...It’s late in the Game folks!

I wish everyone would read the following encyclicals first before making quick off the cuff uneducated loony conspiracy comments that plays into the devil’s hands

QUOD APOSTOLICI MUNERIS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII
ON SOCIALISM
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_28121878_quod-apostolici-muneris_en.html
Excerpts...We speak of that sect of men who, under various and almost barbarous names, are called socialists, communists, or nihilists, and who, spread over all the world, and bound together by the closest ties in a wicked confederacy, no longer seek the shelter of secret meetings, but, openly and boldly marching forth in the light of day, strive to bring to a head what they have long been planning - the overthrow of all civil society whatsoever.

Surely these are they who, as the sacred Scriptures testify, “Defile the flesh, despise dominion and blaspheme majesty.”(2) They leave nothing untouched or whole which by both human and divine laws has been wisely decreed for the health and beauty of life. They refuse obedience to the higher powers, to whom, according to the admonition of the Apostle, every soul ought to be subject, and who derive the right of governing from God; and they proclaim the absolute equality of all men in rights and duties. They debase the natural union of man and woman, which is held sacred even among barbarous peoples; and its bond, by which the family is chiefly held together, they weaken, or even deliver up to lust. Lured, in fine, by the greed of present goods, which is “the root of all evils, which some coveting have erred from the faith,”(3) they assail the right of property sanctioned by natural law; and by a scheme of horrible wickedness, while they seem desirous of caring for the needs and satisfying the desires of all men, they strive to seize and hold in common whatever has been acquired either by title of lawful inheritance, or by labor of brain and hands, or by thrift in one’s mode of life. These are the startling theories they utter in their meetings, set forth in their pamphlets, and scatter abroad in a cloud of journals and tracts. Wherefore, the revered majesty and power of kings has won such fierce hatred from their seditious people that disloyal traitors, impatient of all restraint, have more than once within a short period raised their arms in impious attempt against the lives of their own sovereigns.

LIBERTAS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII
ON THE NATURE OF
HUMAN LIBERTY
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_20061888_libertas_en.html

Excerpts...13. Moreover, the highest duty is to respect authority, and obediently to submit to just law; and by this the members of a community are effectually protected from the wrong-doing of evil men. Lawful power is from God, “and whosoever resisteth authority resisteth the ordinance of God’ ;(6) wherefore, obedience is greatly ennobled when subjected to an authority which is the most just and supreme of all. But where the power to command is wanting, or where a law is enacted contrary to reason, or to the eternal law, or to some ordinance of God, obedience is unlawful, lest, while obeying man, we become disobedient to God. Thus, an effectual barrier being opposed to tyranny, the authority in the State will not have all its own way, but the interests and rights of all will be safeguarded - the rights of individuals, of domestic society, and of all the members of the commonwealth; all being free to live according to law and right reason; and in this, as We have shown, true liberty really consists.

14. If when men discuss the question of liberty they were careful to grasp its true and legitimate meaning, such as reason and reasoning have just explained, they would never venture to affix such a calumny on the Church as to assert that she is the foe of individual and public liberty. But many there are who follow in the footsteps of Lucifer, and adopt as their own his rebellious cry, “I will not serve”; and consequently substitute for true liberty what is sheer and most foolish license. Such, for instance, are the men belonging to that widely spread and powerful organization, who, usurping the name of liberty, style themselves liberals.

DIVINI REDEMPTORIS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS XI
ON ATHEISTIC COMMUNISM
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19031937_divini-redemptoris_en.html

Excerpt...If we would explain the blind acceptance of Communism by so many thousands of workmen, we must remember that the way had been already prepared for it by the religious and moral destitution in which wage-earners had been left by liberal economics. Even on Sundays and holy days, labor-shifts were given no time to attend to their essential religious duties. No one thought of building churches within convenient distance of factories, nor of facilitating the work of the priest. On the contrary, laicism was actively and persistently promoted, with the result that we are now reaping the fruits of the errors so often denounced by Our Predecessors and by Ourselves. It can surprise no one that the Communistic fallacy should be spreading in a world already to a large extent de-Christianized.

17. There is another explanation for the rapid diffusion of the Communistic ideas now seeping into every nation, great and small, advanced and backward, so that no corner of the earth is free from them. This explanation is to be found in a propaganda so truly diabolical that the world has perhaps never witnessed its like before. It is directed from one common center. It is shrewdly adapted to the varying conditions of diverse peoples. It has at its disposal great financial resources, gigantic organizations, international congresses, and countless trained workers. It makes use of pamphlets and reviews, of cinema, theater and radio, of schools and even universities. Little by little it penetrates into all classes of the people and even reaches the better-minded groups of the community, with the result that few are aware of the poison which increasingly pervades their minds and hearts.


37 posted on 07/09/2009 10:32:02 AM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Wuli

OK I believe you.


38 posted on 07/09/2009 10:33:57 AM PDT by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: stfassisi

Excellent post! I need to read those encyclicals. I hope you don’t mind if I copy and post it to the general audience thread.


39 posted on 07/09/2009 10:40:25 AM PDT by ELS (Vivat Benedictus XVI!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: NYer

This is good news if the Pope is indeed clarifying any support for a one world economic czar.


40 posted on 07/09/2009 10:42:29 AM PDT by newfreep ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." - P.J. O'Rourke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson