Several observations:
(1) He is condemning the welfare mentality. That is hardly the mark of a socialist, let alone a communist.
(2) The Church is not "sitting on unimaginable wealth" - the Vatican's operating budget is smaller than that of the Church of England, which has about 5% of the Catholic Church's membership.
The Church actually operates in the red.
(3) When there is trafficking in prostitution, sterilization, etc. it reminds us that markets exist to serve man, they are not ends in themselves.
Gee, I’m a capitalist in capitalist country with a booming economy. I see a new opportunity to make, say, custom fitted doggie coats for northern climes. I put my own money at risk, employ a bunch of people, and pay other vendors to get the company off the ground. My investment creates jobs.
Gee, I’m rich in a socialist country with a stagnant, government run economy. I bribe politicians to get a government contract. To the degree possible, I outsource work to foreign countries as it’s far cheaper than hiring domestic, union labor.
Which is better for everyone concerned?
Keep in mind that for this story, the messenger is the Guardian. Whatever the pope said on capitalism is going to be exaggerated by that left-wing publication.
So lets see Francis the pope who thinks it’s ok for
homosexuals to be in the priesthood as long as they are
forgiven now says that capitalism is bad and favors
communism. Next we’ll find out he supports NAMBLA.
The anti-Christ is here waiting for society to fall. His
minions have infiltrated everything that is good and
decent and is corrupting from within.
“The pope said renewal of the church could not be put off and the Vatican and its entrenched hierarchy “also need to hear the call to pastoral conversion”.
What he means is conversion to homosexuality. This guy is
Obama 2 and his enemy is not just America but God too.
Is Francis advocating locking the poor in poverty forever?
These religious guys would be well advised to stay out of economics and politics, it just makes them look foolish and less credible.
So, Caesar’s a moron. What else is new?
Ping for later
Oh good another news story by liberal media on what the pope said. Its simply amazing how credible the media gets as soon as they have anything to say about what’s being said by the new pope.
Coming from the Vatican? He can start by giving away the wealth of the Vatican...and we know that won’t happen.
When has the church opened its doors so the poor can have food and rest and a place to live.
Sell everything the RCC has and give it to the poor, and we’ll believe you.
In the USA, the pathetic taxpayers have given trillions to the poor and what do we have to show for it? More poor, many of whom constantly complain that it still isn’t enough.
It’s quite something to see FReepers accepting what an msm reports about the Pope, when our default here is to expect that everything they print is slanted and agenda driven.
Ok, so unfettered capitalism is less than ideal...What about capitalism balanced by strong voluntary charitable organizations that hold the trust of volunteers and donors?
Now, lets look at the other side, unfettered socialism or communism. IT KILLS MILLIONS, AND PREVENTS FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION and many other God-given rights.
Which system is due commentary and guidance from religious leaders?
No solutions will be found as long as we have unfettered capitalism? God cannot overcome? God isn't the solution? Abandoning capitalism is the solution? Bah...that is faith in man and what man does.
Republish Reprint
Kristopher Morrison | 08/03/13 10:06 PM EThttp://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/08/wealth-of-roman-catholic-church-impossible-to-calculate/
the church’s finances?
1 The symbolic value, in euros, of the buildings in Vatican City. The church uses this number to indicate they are priceless and could never be sold. They include: the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s official residence; the Sistine Chapel, best known for murals by Botticelli and Michelangelo, who painted the ceiling and the famous Last Judgment behind the altar; and St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world erected over the supposed burial site of the apostle St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome.
716,290 The amount of Church-owned land, in square kilometres, across the globe — an area slightly bigger than Alberta. Properties include Vatican embassies, churches, cathedrals, monasteries, some schools and convents.
10 Reported investment (in billions of dollars) in foreign companies by the Institute of Religious Works (the Vatican bank) in the 1990s. It has holdings in such industries as banking, insurance, chemicals, steel, construction and real estate. It only invests in companies that operate according to Catholic morals. For example, it will not invest in a pharmaceutical company that produces birth control.
86 In millions of dollars, Peter’s Pence in 2011. The Vatican’s most important source of ready cash is made up of donations from parishes across the globe. The money is spent on humanitarian projects, including disaster relief, medical aid, and help to the poor in developing nations, children and refugees.
22.4 In millions of dollars, the approximate value of almost one metric tonne of gold owned by the Holy See in 2008.
308 In millions of dollars, the Vatican’s revenue in 2011. It spent $326.4-million, but ended the year with a $27-million surplus.
31 In millions of dollars, the amount seized from the Vatican bank by Italian authorities during an investigation into money laundering.
2 In billions of dollars, the amount paid out as settlements by the church for sex-abuse allegations in the United States.
National Post
This piece really bothers me.
“unequal distribution of wealth inevitably leads to violence”
He is talking about money and the control of it and not God as a solution. What is wrong with the poor if they become violent in coveting the money of others? What would be missing in their lives? It wouldn’t be money, would it? Wouldn’t that mean that the poor are also worshiping money?
I also wonder why it is always rich people that are preached to as if they are the only ones who can make a difference. The poor are like children to be taken care of and tended by the rich.
I am not dirt poor but I am certainly not rich. I don’t want to be rich, either. I don’t want what the rich have, I am happy with my life as it is.
In weakness and greed I sometimes daydream about having some of the options of the rich but I always wake up and know my life is the life I want. I want no keepers in the rich, I want no life where the elite decide what is fair.
I want the life God has given me, I want my free will—good and bad and the freedom that God promises. I will never find happiness in a rich mans wallet or centering my world on money or the lack of it. The minute I focus on that, I lose happiness because I’ve taken my eye and heart off God.
I am not allowed a larger ration of sin or excuses because I am poor. God is fair and all are equal under his law. If I am violent because I am poor, I’m too far from my Lord.
So now the Catholic church is headed by a communist.
Now he has crossed the rubicon... I no longer have respect for this man.
Encouraging charity is hardly a new concept. And is hardly socialist. A billionaire is not a sinner because he is a billionaire...but might be if he does not help those less fortunate than he...
While I agree our economic system is a shambles, a pope is the last person in the world I’d take advice from...