[G Larry]

The Teachings of the Catholic Church are found in the unadultrated Bible and are explained in the Catechism.

Since the link is blown, please provide the quote from the Pope, and I’ll be happy to address it.
Although, I susspect AB Chaput has done that work already in “Render unto Caeser”.
Charity is not the job of the government.

[from occupied ga]

http://www.usccb.org/upload/economic_justice_for_all.pdf
paragraph #71. BTW the link works for me. When the entire church hierarchy says one thing, and some poster on FR says no no that isn't the real teaching, I get a little skeptical as to what the “Real teaching is.” The USCCB represents the official church hierarchy. You can claim they're not official, but in reality they are the voice of the church that everyone hears no matter how FOS the stuff they put out is.

Also I hear the same crap from the pulpit. I have yet to hear a priest who ever said "Poverty is a voluntary choice. People who don't want to be poor should work harder." or words to that effect. To the contrary, I am ceaslessly exhorted to give more and to "give back." etc. I have a special problem with the phrase "giving back." I can't give back anything that was't given to me in the first place. If I earned it, then I can give it or not give it, but I can't give it back. The church goes along with the 0bama philosophy that everything you have was given to you by the government. In fact with the exception of things to do with reproduction, and euthanasia, the church's stand on political matters pretty musch corresponds to that of the liberal wing of the Democratic party.

[Pecos]

Charity is not the job of the government.

It happens only when the government tries to replace religion.