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
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.
The laborer is worthy of his wages.
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.
“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.