Catholic Teachings on Capitalism, Marxism and Economics

Religion and Liberty ^ | 2007 | Religion and Liberty

[ChurtleDawg]

Earlier this summer Benedict urged the nations of the world to embrace each other in solidarity and work towards "an ever more just distribution" of wealth," warning that "It is not possible to continue using the wealth of the poorest countries with impunity, without them also being able to participate in world growth." (Zenit: "Pope Urges Just Distribution of Goods" June 1, 2007).

[ChurtleDawg]

your opinions?

[ChurtleDawg]

I found this to be a very interesting discussion. I found it while looking for information on Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum encyclical of 1891 and Catholic teachings on related topics

[ALPAPilot]

One must read Pope Benedict very carefully. Reporters generally do a poor job relating his ideas. One also must carefully read Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, which Pope Benedict obviously knows very well. I wouldn’t trust those who claim the Pope leans towards socialist economics.

[ChurtleDawg]

You have to read the whole discussion. In it, Papal critiques of both Soviet style comman economies AND modern laissez faire capitalism (as well as globalism) are shared.

[Oratam]

The laborer is worthy of his wages.

[A.A. Cunningham]

[Alex Murphy]

Papal critiques of both Soviet style comman economies AND modern laissez faire capitalism (as well as globalism) are shared

Yep - he doesn't like either of them...

The Pope Denounces Capitalism and Marxism

[Drango]

The laborer is worthy of his wages.

if any would not work, neither should he eat.

[Matchett-PI]

Within a family and within a church organization the VOLUNTARY sharing of resources is quite acceptable. But when anyone wants to take it outside those bounds and attempts to FORCE people to share their resources backing it up with the arm of government (church or secular), that person is engaging in evil.

[ChurtleDawg]

so, would you say that the Church encourages a “third way” type economy, that combines tenets of both?

[Hamilton_More]

It would be a mistake to view legitimate critisms of greed as favouring socialism or marxism and disfavouring capitalism. Even Adam Smith had moral principles which were opposed to avaricious laissez-faire attitudes held or criticized by modern peoples.

There are adherents of capitalism who do not follow the Church’s teaching on charity and stewardship, as well as treating your fellow man with dignity. Notice that the artice talks about the “purely economic conception of man” which is a problem in both modern capitalist and communist philosophies.

None of this requires legislation from the state, if it did, then the point of it would be lost - it is supposed to be an act of brotherly love not of compulsion.

In school, we had a class called, “Peace, Justice and Liberation.” We discussed and studied many of the works dealing with mentioned. In particular, we looked at liberation theology which is common throughout South and Central America.

[Hamilton_More]

This seemed relevant to the discussion. It is from John XXIII's Mater et Magistra: "34. Pope Pius XI further emphasized the fundamental opposition between Communism and Christianity, and made it clear that no Catholic could subscribe even to moderate Socialism. The reason is that Socialism is founded on a doctrine of human society which is bounded by time and takes no account of any objective other than that of material well-being. Since, therefore, it proposes a form of social organization which aims solely at production, it places too severe a restraint on human liberty, at the same time flouting the true notion of social authority."

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_15051961_mater_en.html

Pacem in Terris by John XXIII

Quadragesimo Anno by Pius XI

Quod Apostolici Muneris, Humanum Genus, and Libertas by Leo XIII

All these are good to study in conjunction with Rerum Novarum.

[onedoug]

“If I knew God I’d be Him.” But He did not shepherd the Hebrews through the desert for slavery’s sake, but for Freedom.

[ChurtleDawg]

thank you. This is really good information

I was looking for stuff like this.

[Hamilton_More]

No problem. As an amatuer history buff, I’ve always been intersted in the Catholic Church, because of my study of the Middle Ages (also helped in eventual conversion), but attending that class on modern Catholic teachings on social justice was very intriguing. It was also a great class, because as part of the class we helped Cuban immigrants adjust to life in a new city, state and country.