Pope Francis demands 'legitimate redistribution' of wealth

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 05/09/2014 | NICOLE WINFIELD

[SeekAndFind]

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis called Friday for governments to redistribute wealth to the poor in a new spirit of generosity to help curb the "economy of exclusion" that is taking hold today.

Francis made the appeal during a speech to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the heads of major U.N. agencies who met in Rome this week.

Latin America's first pope has frequently lashed out at the injustices of capitalism and the global economic system that excludes so much of humanity, though his predecessors have voiced similar concerns.

On Friday, Francis called for the United Nations to promote a "worldwide ethical mobilization" of solidarity with the poor in a new spirit of generosity.

[Responsibility2nd]

“Nobody has endured longer than the Catholic Church”

Unless you add Jews and Hindus...

 

And Christians.

(Catholicism is a third century invention)

[Steve_Seattle]

"Saw lots of famous art works at the Vatican museum — start by selling those."

Selling assets is never a sound policy for solving the problems of the poor. Sell all of the Vatican art, give the proceeds to the poor of the world, and it would be all spent in a week or two, if that.

[oldbrowser]

He said a more equal form of economic progress can be had through "the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society."

Surely the Pope understands that the only way to achieve legitimate equality is through equality of opportunity and equality of education.

Providing wealth to people who didn't earn it is a sure way to disincentivize achievement.

[CodeToad]

The Catholic church is one of the wealthiest organizations on Earth ever: Pope, you first!

[Reeses]

The Church never used the government to provide charity.

Fedzilla's cut is around 50% of any wealth that passes through their hooves. If they were a charity organization they'd lose their non-profit status.

[ALPAPilot]

You think that is better? Means exactly nothing to me. What in the world is a benefit?

That is the question - what exactly was he talking about. The reference he made (Luke 19:1-10) about the tax collector giving his money to the poor. Why doesn't the press take the meaning to be that IRS employees need to give back their salaries.

I think the Pope made a silly statement that was transformable by a satanic media.

[Milton Miteybad]

That’s why I’m retired. ;-)

[driftdiver]

Many people from South America have bought into the socialism model. Most certainly encouraged by the corrupt leaders.

[oldbrowser]

Foreign aid can best be described as taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries.

Many foreign aid recipients consider it "tribute" or "war reparations" when we send them our wealth.

[ohioman]

I miss Benedict!

[Steve_Seattle]

"Your downplaying of church ownership of land worldwide (not just the land on which churches sit) is disingenuous."

The "Catholic Church" as such does not own most of that land; it is owned by individual dioceses and religious orders, which are independent corporate entities. Much of it consists of churches and schools and colleges and hospitals. Shut down the schools, dump those kids in the public schools, and taxes go up. Shut down the hospitals and - again - taxes go up or health services are not provided.

[taterjay]

The Pope needs to tell these capitalists to live their Christianity. It seems to me at least in this country top capitalists are Democrat and ignore their Christian upbringing. At the least the Pope needs to start with his own flock beginning with one Joe Biden who gives what 1000 bucks to charity and does not follow other teachings either. Freedom will take care of the problems much better than demanding governments do it.

[Chances Are]

Also, we need a definition of “legitimate” in this case!

CA....

[chris37]

Go take a flying leap, Popey, and do it quick.

[Rennes Templar]

“Except he’s calling on the governments to do it, so it’s not charity, because it is not voluntary when the government has a gun to your head. That is just theft.”

My sister and brother-in-law, musicians and dyed in the wool liberals, participate in a charity which sends musical instruments to Haiti, for victims of the hurricane to use in schools. They actually purchase and ship the instruments, with help from others in a group.

Last year we were arguing over Obama and liberal vs. conservatism. I said does it feel good to do that charity work? Yes they said, a great feeling of helping those in need. Do you volunteer to do it of your volition? Yes again. You’ve donated hard work and money? Yes. a lot.

How would you feel if Obama told you you had to do that work or some other project, and if you didn’t you would be penalized?

Crickets.

[BenLurkin]

That’s the problem with every kind of “redistribution”

The leading cause of poverty in the Third World is children. Stop the poor from having children and the poverty will go away.

[Mat_Helm]

I am a lifelong Catholic rarely missing Mass in over 50 years. While I generally support the Pope in the Spirit of his messages, in this case I do not. It is pastoral to call upon the individual and corporations to give to the poor, but not for government redistribution. This is not charitable giving from the heart, but the force of law and coercion with threats of jail and punitive damages from the power of government. This is not selfless giving. Jesus calls upon the individual to come and follow him and give to others from their surplus and for the laborer to be paid for his wages and that all must work for each other. He did not call for Rome to be a wealthy handout for the world. Governments have never created wealth and prosperity. Good governments can only create a climate that supports commercial and economic activity. Socialistic and communist governments fail to accomplish this and less people are helped and more poverty is created. Heavy taxes never helped anyone accept those in power and the Caesars of history. France's heart may be in the right place but he keeps saying the wrong thing the wrong way.

[MUDDOG]

Saw lots of famous art works at the Vatican museum — start by selling those.

And don't forget indulgences. He can print those like the Fed.

[LittleBillyInfidel]

Maybe the ‘state’ can reclaim the Vatican sovereignty and liquid THAT first.

[fwdude]

This thing reads like The Onion. Please tell me it’s satire.