They [socialists, communists, or nihilists] 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’ (1 Tim. 6:10.3), 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. -- (Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Quod Apostolici Muneris, December 28, 1878, n. 1)
... no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist -- (Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Quadragesimo Anno, 1931
Good point...interesting to ponder, and by Pope Pius's own definition (quoted), then all the Catholics who voted (and it was millions) for Socialist Obama are not good Catholics. For since those who concurred with Obama's known socialist leanings in 2008, and still voted willing for that known socialist, then forfeited their good standing as a Catholic. It will be instructional to observe how Catholics vote in 2012: for the socialists or the free!
Excellent post. While many popes have condemned communism and socialism, Popes Leo XIII and Pius XI gave us very strong and relevant statements. Two points especially underlie their condemnation, 1) the inviolable right of private ownership of property, and 2) the inevitable destruction of Christian society. Catholics today have been taught the lie that government transfer payments constitute charity. It is absolutely against Catholic teaching, specifically the 7th Commandment, to take from Peter to give to Paul.
On the other side of the coin, the popes do not defend the libertarian ideals that one may do whatever one wishes with his property. But more important is the admonition of Our Lord to give generously to those in need, and this duty is especially aimed toward those who have been given more. Our Lord did single out the rich.
We in America are rich compared to the general condition of men throughout most of history. But we have been very generous, too. This may be the reason the good God hasn’t annihilated us yet.
Since when do Cathilics listen to popes?