Posted on 05/09/2014 7:11:05 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The latest speech from Pope Francis is leading Drudge and the Twittersphere, and for good reason. Any time a world leader talks about “legitimate redistribution” in regard to economic policy, it raises eyebrows, if not hackles. In the case of this pontiff, the highlight of that phrase provokes heightened scrutiny. However, the longer context of Francis’ remarks this morning to UN leadership provides a much more nuanced picture of Francis’ view of economic policy — although probably not nuanced enough for libertarian ears:
With this in mind, I would like to remind you, as representatives of the chief agencies of global cooperation, of an incident which took place two thousand years ago and is recounted in the Gospel of Saint Luke (19:1-10). It is the encounter between Jesus Christ and the rich tax collector Zacchaeus, as a result of which Zacchaeus made a radical decision of sharing and justice, because his conscience had been awakened by the gaze of Jesus. This same spirit should be at the beginning and end of all political and economic activity. The gaze, often silent, of that part of the human family which is cast off, left behind, ought to awaken the conscience of political and economic agents and lead them to generous and courageous decisions with immediate results, like the decision of Zacchaeus. Does this spirit of solidarity and sharing guide all our thoughts and actions, I ask myself?
Today, in concrete terms, an awareness of the dignity of each of our brothers and sisters whose life is sacred and inviolable from conception to natural death must lead us to share with complete freedom the goods which God’s providence has placed in our hands, material goods but also intellectual and spiritual ones, and to give back generously and lavishly whatever we may have earlier unjustly refused to others.
The account of Jesus and Zacchaeus teaches us that above and beyond economic and social systems and theories, there will always be a need to promote generous, effective and practical openness to the needs of others. Jesus does not ask Zacchaeus to change jobs nor does he condemn his financial activity; he simply inspires him to put everything, freely yet immediately and indisputably, at the service of others. Consequently, I do not hesitate to state, as did my predecessors (cf. JOHN PAUL II,Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 42-43; Centesimus Annus, 43; BENEDICT XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 6; 24-40), that equitable economic and social progress can only be attained by joining scientific and technical abilities with an unfailing commitment to solidarity accompanied by a generous and disinterested spirit of gratuitousness at every level. A contribution to this equitable development will also be made both by international activity aimed at the integral human development of all the world’s peoples and by the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the State, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society.
Consequently, while encouraging you in your continuing efforts to coordinate the activity of the international agencies, which represents a service to all humanity, I urge you to work together in promoting a true, worldwide ethical mobilization which, beyond all differences of religious or political convictions, will spread and put into practice a shared ideal of fraternity and solidarity, especially with regard to the poorest and those most excluded.
In this case, the term “legitimate” is a limiting factor when redistribution is placed in the context of the Gospel story of Zacchaeus. Who was Zaccheaus? He was a tax collector — an agent of the government — who overtaxed and profited from his cheating. In Luke 19, Jesus’ visit to Jericho inspires this sinner and cheater to repent when Jesus extends an invitation to join him. What does Zacchaeus do in response? He proclaims his intent to redistribute his ill-gotten gains back to those whom he defrauded, and to willingly and privately share his wealth with the poor. ”And Zacchae’us stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
In this exhortation, Francis links legitimate redistribution — ie, social benefits that almost every nation distributes in some form or another — with the larger efforts in the private sphere. Francis calls more for the conversion of the heart in private transactions in this exhortation more than any change in public policy. Much like conservatives like to profess in other contexts, Francis argues here that culture is upstream of politics. If we change hearts to be more generous and less attached to the hoarding of wealth as Jesus did with Zacchaeus, then there will be less need for governments to redistribute by force.
This may not be the most conservative or libertarian expression of economic policies, but it’s basic Catholic teaching on economics for decades, if not centuries. The lesson of Zacchaeus isn’t that government should seize more private property, but that private citizens should convert to a greater love of God and therefore have more solidarity with the poor. Those who oppose social-benefit programs will still find fault with Francis on this point, and there’s plenty of room for debate as to what constitutes “legitimate” efforts in that sphere. It’s clear, though, that he wasn’t calling for widespread and massive confiscation of wealth by governments. In fact, the story of Zacchaeus points out the dangers and injustice that result from that kind of policy.
Just remember — when the media provides only small soundbites of Pope Francis, it pays to read the entirety of his remarks, and to know and understand the teachings behind them.
Repeat After Me: Subsidiarity & Solidarity
Subsidiarity and Human Dignity
Does the USCCB Understand Subsidiarity?
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] The Principle of Subsidiarity
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Subsidiarity Over Social Justice
What is the USCCB’s problem with subsidiarity?
Subsidiarity: Where Justice and Freedom Coexist
Health reform still full of thorny problems for Catholics (Vasa comes out for subsidiarity)
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Subsidiarity, [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Catholic Word of the Day: SUBSIDIARITY, 06-11-09
Wealth redistribution via centralized authority is the antithesis of subsidiarity.
“Subsidiarity is an organizing principle that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. Political decisions should be taken at a local level if possible, rather than by a central authority”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidiarity_(Catholicism)
I am not sure of your point..
My point was the pope wants the state to hand out benefits.. not the church...
That brother is why pelosis of the world can claim the glory!
Are you thinking of subsidies?
This is subsidiarity. Go to the smallest loutlet on the local level for assistance. For example, your neighbor, then people in your neighborhood, then your local church, other local ministries, then part of the local county of city government.
Sorry you don’t seem to understand the Bible. It is talking about us. (As well as the people those days.)
“Should we look to kings and princes to put right the inequalities between rich and poor? Should we require soldiers to come and seize the rich person’s gold and distribute it among his destitute neighbors? Should we beg the emperor to impose a tax on the rich so great that it reduces them to the level of the poor and then to share the proceeds of that tax among everyone? Equality imposed by force would achieve nothing, and do much harm. Those who combined both cruel hearts and sharp minds would soon find ways of making themselves rich again.Worse still, the rich whose gold was taken away would feel bitter and resentful; while the poor who received the gold from the hands of soldiers would feel no gratitude, because no generosity would have prompted the gift. Far from bringing moral benefit to society, it would actually do moral harm. Material justice cannot be accomplished by compulsion, a change of heart will not follow. The only way to achieve true justice is to change people’s hearts first—and then they will joyfully share their wealth.”
-– St. John Chrysostom on the poor from On Living Simply XLIII
Great observations - Reagan and JPII eradicated communism, Obama and this Jesuit are reestablishing it.
Wow. That is the best post I’ve seen in awhile. Thank you.
Note in the following Scripture passage that the contributions were VOLUNTARILY laid down before the feet of the Apostles, not forcibly obtained and laid down before the feet of Caesar (or Nancy Pelosi).
"And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul. Neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed was his own: but all things were common unto them. 33 And with great power did the Apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord: and great grace was in them all. 34 For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things they sold, 35 And laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need." Acts 4:32-35
Zacchaes was the one who said that, not Jesus, IIRC.
Of course. Did I sound confused on that point?
Zacchaeus made that decision by himself. Nobody asked or prompted him to do it.
That's a far cry from the pope asking other countries to do it using their citizens tax money without their consent.
1) Zaccheus was convicted of his sins by his meeting with Christ and as a result he realized he was a sinner.
2) Zaccheus was actively looking to meet Christ
3) Zaccheus voluntarily pledged to give half of his wealth to the poor. His wealth is figured to be much due to his position of Chief Tax Collector.
4) Zaccheus promised to give back fourfold to anyone he had defrauded.
5) Actions three and four were totally voluntary on Zaccheus' part. Though there are OT teachings about restoring stolen property by a certain percentage. I presume Zaccheus was Jewish and not Roman and would be acting in compliance with Jewish Law in this manner.
Notice also when Zaccheus said if I have defrauded anyone. The implication is that he had indeed defrauded some, but not all.
The pope, and leftists in general, assume that the rich have all defrauded the "people" by illegally acquiring their wealth.
This is a very dangerous and disingenuous conclusion.
For example, you never hear the left criticize Soros or any other wealthy leftist. It is always a conservative they criticize.
We do not hear of calls for China or India to "redistribute" their wealth. It is usually a call for the US to do so.
The pope would do better to point people to Christ and point out the need for forgiveness of sins.
If the pope wants to be taken serious on this manner he should first clean up the priesthood and remove ALL homosexuals from ministry. Second, if he is serious he should begin to liquidate the Catholic Churches assets in the same proportions as Zaccheus did.
Actions speak louder than words.
The bible does..
The pope wasn’t..
He’s saying nothing that the last two Popes didn’t say. Now for what he really said about “income redistribution”.
http://www.catholicleague.org/pope-ties-life-issues-justice/
“The media are already gushing over the pope’s call for a redistribution of wealth, but they are downplaying his remarks on abortion and euthanasia. And what he said about the economic responsibilities of wealthy nations is, quite frankly, old stuff. Indeed, he cites his two predecessors as saying the same thing. To be specific, the pope did not call for economic equality: He twice called for economic equity. Equity means fairness; it does not mean sameness.
More important, the pope linked the rights of the unborn, and those who are ill, to the cause for justice. “Today, in concrete terms,” he said, “an awareness of the dignity of each of our brothers and sisters whose life is sacred and inviolable from conception to natural death must lead us to share with complete freedom the goods which God’s providence has placed in our hands, material goods but also intellectual and spiritual ones, and to give back generously and lavishly whatever we may have earlier unjustly refused to others.”
The pope also denounced our “throwaway culture” and the “culture of death.” He has used those terms before (the latter was coined by Saint John Paul II), so there is no ambiguity: He is clearly speaking about the disposal of unborn babies and the plight of the terminally ill.
Kudos to the pope for speaking to these issues with such force. We hope that the U.N. executives heed his advice”
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