Posted on 07/07/2009 10:30:02 AM PDT by TheRiverNile
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict called on Tuesday for a "world political authority" to manage the global economy and for more government regulation of national economies to pull the world out of the current crisis and avoid a repeat.
The pope made his call for a re-think of the way the world economy is run in a new encyclical which touched on a number of social issues but whose main connecting thread was how the current crisis has affected both rich and poor nations.
Parts of the encyclical, titled "Charity in Truth," seemed bound to upset free marketeers because of its underlying rejection of unbridled capitalism and unregulated market forces, which he said had led to "thoroughly destructive" abuse of the system.
The pope said every economic decision had a moral consequence and called for "forms of redistribution" of wealth overseen by governments to help those most affected by crises.
Benedict said "there is an urgent need of a true world political authority" whose task would be "to manage the global economy; to revive economies hit by the crisis; to avoid any deterioration of the present crisis and the greater imbalances that would result."
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
That's funny, I heard Him say, "my Church." Can you show me where He said "Roman Catholic Church"? While you're busy curing my confusion, perhaps you can tell me why it was James who issued the ruling on the Apostolic Decree, and not Peter? Then tell me how the Apostolic Decree prohibited drinking blood while allowing that "transubstantiation" thingy.
If you folks want to wallow in ignorance of your Jewish Messiah following one man go for it. I'd rather follow The Man, thank you.
Have you seen this?
I believe strongly in helping the poor (although I believe that it is the job of the individual and the church and not to be done with the force of law).
In any case, I can understand his desire to help the poor.
What I can’t understand is him calling for a global economic authority. It is the prerequisite for one of the best-known and feared prophecies in all of the Bible.
Yeah, the Pope is a Commie Lib.
Apparently, that has been superseded by this new document.
You see, it was just the implementation that was the problem. The pope has just given us the new recipe.
See his prescription in post #143.
The pope calls for one world government in control of the economy! I guess he does not read his Bible! The woman rides the beast!
Man is God ever setting the stage for the return of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. World economies in shambles, Verichip i.e., the "digital angel" is going full bore in their program to chip the masses for "security" and for "protection of their identity". Also... no cash or credit cards to get lost or stolen... and now the pope calls for a one world government to control the monetary system to clean up the mess and to do it all... how concenient!
God has told us all how it all works out in the end. He has a plan and nothing in heaven or on earth will thwart it.
another precursor to the end times.
42. Sometimes globalization is viewed in fatalistic terms, as if the dynamics involved were the product of anonymous impersonal forces or structures independent of the human will[102]. In this regard it is useful to remember that while globalization should certainly be understood as a socio-economic process, this is not its only dimension. Underneath the more visible process, humanity itself is becoming increasingly interconnected; it is made up of individuals and peoples to whom this process should offer benefits and development[103], as they assume their respective responsibilities, singly and collectively. The breaking-down of borders is not simply a material fact: it is also a cultural event both in its causes and its effects. If globalization is viewed from a deterministic standpoint, the criteria with which to evaluate and direct it are lost. As a human reality, it is the product of diverse cultural tendencies, which need to be subjected to a process of discernment. The truth of globalization as a process and its fundamental ethical criterion are given by the unity of the human family and its development towards what is good. Hence a sustained commitment is needed so as to promote a person-based and community-oriented cultural process of world-wide integration that is open to transcendence.
Despite some of its structural elements, which should neither be denied nor exaggerated, “globalization, a priori, is neither good nor bad. It will be what people make of it”[104]. We should not be its victims, but rather its protagonists, acting in the light of reason, guided by charity and truth. Blind opposition would be a mistaken and prejudiced attitude, incapable of recognizing the positive aspects of the process, with the consequent risk of missing the chance to take advantage of its many opportunities for development. The processes of globalization, suitably understood and directed, open up the unprecedented possibility of large-scale redistribution of wealth on a world-wide scale; if badly directed, however, they can lead to an increase in poverty and inequality, and could even trigger a global crisis. It is necessary to correct the malfunctions, some of them serious, that cause new divisions between peoples and within peoples, and also to ensure that the redistribution of wealth does not come about through the redistribution or increase of poverty: a real danger if the present situation were to be badly managed. For a long time it was thought that poor peoples should remain at a fixed stage of development, and should be content to receive assistance from the philanthropy of developed peoples. Paul VI strongly opposed this mentality in Populorum Progressio. Today the material resources available for rescuing these peoples from poverty are potentially greater than before, but they have ended up largely in the hands of people from developed countries, who have benefited more from the liberalization that has occurred in the mobility of capital and labour. The world-wide diffusion of forms of prosperity should not therefore be held up by projects that are self-centred, protectionist or at the service of private interests. Indeed the involvement of emerging or developing countries allows us to manage the crisis better today. The transition inherent in the process of globalization presents great difficulties and dangers that can only be overcome if we are able to appropriate the underlying anthropological and ethical spirit that drives globalization towards the humanizing goal of solidarity. Unfortunately this spirit is often overwhelmed or suppressed by ethical and cultural considerations of an individualistic and utilitarian nature. Globalization is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon which must be grasped in the diversity and unity of all its different dimensions, including the theological dimension. In this way it will be possible to experience and to steer the globalization of humanity in relational terms, in terms of communion and the sharing of goods.
This seems to be reflective of the general theme of the letter. The reality of Christ must impact every aspect of what we do, or else, not only are we not truly living Christianity, but also, we aren't being fully charitable. Thus, I believe what the Holy Father is saying is, that if everyone were to walk in imitation of Christ, then the type of globalization that would occur would naturally be beneficial for everyone.
Also, what he appears to be saying is something to the effect of, "Like it or not, but globalization is going to happen".
I may get castigated for this, but quite frankly, I would agree with that sentiment. It's up to us, as Christians, to ensure that the type of globalization that does occur is a Christian one. At least as "Christian" as imperfect humans can make.
If we refuse to accept this reality of our changing world, then the type of globalization that will occur will be the type Benedict describes here, "if [globalization is] badly directed, however, they can lead to an increase in poverty and inequality, and could even trigger a global crisis."
IOW, the type of "redistribution of wealth" he talks about here is a purely voluntary one, one motivated by imitation of Christ, that is, by "charity".
The more I read this letter, the more I do not see a proposal for some kind of "one world government". It's remarkable to me that some do. The only time something remotely like that is mentioned is in paragraph 39, but simply reading the "offending" phrase in context makes it clear the Holy Father isn't calling for some kind of state-enforced socialism or communism: "[it was proposed during the Industrial Revolution that] the civil order, for its self-regulation, also needed intervention from the State for purposes of redistribution. Not only is this vision threatened today by the way in which markets and societies are opening up, but it is evidently insufficient to satisfy the demands of a fully humane economy.
That paragraph was posted on another thread allegedly to support the idea that the Pope was calling for a "one world government", when it's clear, or it should be, from the context (bolded and underlined) that that is the exact opposite of what the Holy Father is saying.
After reading as far as I have, I think I should retract my previous statement on this thread, in somuch as to say, "This encyclical has nothing to do with proposing a specific economic system. It is merely attempting to remind us all of where our true destiny lies (in Christ), and that in such a realization, a truely beneficial transformation of society can begin."
I wouldn't be surprised though if the words "globalization", and "redistribution of wealth" used in this letter cause a knee jerk, almost instinctive reaction in some, which is a shame. It truly isn't "poor in spirit" to act in such a way, this much is certain.
The Costa Rican President just gave a speech where he said it is time to quit blaming others for the failures of third world countries. He said South America had universities before North America. He said they were once ahead of Mexico, South Korea,and China economically. He said they are so concerned about "isms"; is it better to have capitalism, socialism, communism, etc.
What they need to do is start educating their people, building their infrastructure, clean up their own governments and quit complaining that the United States has more than they do. In 1750 the USA was just as poor as they were.
I am catholic and I think the pope should be more worried about saving souls of the earth and not the money........you cannot have 2 masters...
Post #143 highlights why you are wrong in your interpretation.
The pope seeks a world authority that has the teeth to enforce among the nations what he is proposing. There is no doubt, that is, if you trust the pope’s own words, straight from the Vatican.
Thought you’d be interested in seeing this.
The article is al-Reuters.
Anybody who takes it at face value is acting very foolishly.
You wouldn't trust them if it weren't about the Pope, would you? Why trust them now?
He’s a great moral leader; he’s a great economic illiterate.
Well said. Just like every priest I have ever met, except one.
Vlad, you need to read better. You papal apologists really ought to be able do better.
See post #143 for the Vatican link on the pope's words.
In order not to produce a dangerous universal power of a tyrannical nature, the governance of globalization must be marked by subsidiarity, articulated into several layers and involving different levels that can work together. Globalization certainly requires authority, insofar as it poses the problem of a global common good that needs to be pursued. This authority, however, must be organized in a subsidiary and stratified way[138], if it is not to infringe upon freedom and if it is to yield effective results in practice."
Controlled and Socialist societies have replaced the Church and kicked it out.
Not sure where he is going with this.........
Do you have comments about this?
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