ROME, Italy (CNN) -- Pope Benedict XVI, on the eve of a global economic summit, lashed out at modern capitalism for being shortsighted and short on ethics.

Pope Benedict XVI says modern capitalism is failing.

 

 

 

 

"Today's international economic scene, marked by grave deviations and failures, requires a profoundly new way of understanding business enterprise," the pontiff said in his third encyclical letter, "Charity in Truth," which was released Tuesday.

 

I figured what the heck...quit threatening to post more and just do it! I thought this would be a good way to start.

Don't want to sound mean but, does the Pope have a strong economic back ground?? Didn't notice a lot of answers that would help other than curtailing the greed...

As a Catholic myself I feel I can ask these questions:

 

1. given the way the church has handled the perverted priest issue, does the Pope have any room to question any one's ethics?

 

2. I realize that greed is all a matter of whose ox is being gored, but doesn't the Vatican sit on all kinds of wealth? Would the accumulation of that wealth by the Vatican be considered greedy?

 

Just some questions for thought.

The pope needs to stick to religion....

Oh no the Pope is a socialist too

Oh no the Pope is a socialist too

 

The Prez and the Pope?!! The sky is falling!

As a Catholic myself I feel I can ask these questions:

 

1. given the way the church has handled the perverted priest issue, does the Pope have any room to question any one's ethics?

 

2. I realize that greed is all a matter of whose ox is being gored, but doesn't the Vatican sit on all kinds of wealth? Would the accumulation of that wealth by the Vatican be considered greedy?

 

Just some questions for thought.

 

Great mind must think alike. I had the very same questions.

 

Did you know that one of the biggest property holders in Louisville is the Archdiocese of Louisville?

Oh no the Pope is a socialist too

 

So was JPII. At least they admitted it.

Did anyone bother to read the encyclical? No, I didn't think so. Where does the Pope blast capitalism? The CNN article, as all their articles about the Catholic Church are, was simplistic and useless. I am only through the first part of a very long encyclical and, quite frankly, up to this point I have read nothing besides criticism of a system that allows a few immoral individuals to ruin the well-being of everyone else. If we can't agree that their needed to be closer oversight of the banks to ensure that a few traders and executives weren't going to send the whole thing into ruin, well then what are we doing here?

Oh no the Pope is a socialist too

 

In seriousness, the Bible seems much more 'socialist' than 'capitalist' so perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise!

First of all, I'm reading the encyclical today, and I can nearly assure you that it doesn't blast capitalism. I read an article yesterday how Catholic leftists will, whenever a pope releases an encyclical that touches on economics, they hype it as some anti-capitalist dogma (while often considering the Catholic Churchs stances on moral issues- its true domain- to be flexible and less dogmatic).

 

Secondly, one problem with Catholic social teaching is that many misinterpret it. The Pope's infallibility (in communion with the Bishops) is on theological and moral issues. The chair of Peter does not grant any economic prowess. This is not to say that the Pope should not speak on economic issues in a broad sense- in terms of ethics the Pope's words should be listened to. But more technical economic issues (capitalism v socialism, central banks, inflationary actions, etc.) are not what the Pope is trying to give us dogma on.

 

And for all you federal-government-o-philes, keep in the mind the Catholic principle of subsidiarity- government should only undertake those activities with which individuals or private groups can not do, and that matters should be handled by the lowest and least centralized possible authority. And FWIW, Pope Benedict XVI is HUGE on subsidiarity, as far as I know.

First of all, I'm reading the encyclical today, and I can nearly assure you that it doesn't blast capitalism. I read an article yesterday how Catholic leftists will, whenever a pope releases an encyclical that touches on economics, they hype it as some anti-capitalist dogma (while often considering the Catholic Churchs stances on moral issues- its true domain- to be flexible and less dogmatic).

 

Secondly, one problem with Catholic social teaching is that many misinterpret it. The Pope's infallibility (in communion with the Bishops) is on theological and moral issues. The chair of Peter does not grant any economic prowess. This is not to say that the Pope should not speak on economic issues in a broad sense- in terms of ethics the Pope's words should be listened to. But more technical economic issues (capitalism v socialism, central banks, inflationary actions, etc.) are not what the Pope is trying to give us dogma on.

 

And for all you federal-government-o-philes, keep in the mind the Catholic principle of subsidiarity- government should only undertake those activities with which individuals or private groups can not do, and that matters should be handled by the lowest and least centralized possible authority. And FWIW, Pope Benedict XVI is HUGE on subsidiarity, as far as I know.

Catholics and non-Catholics alike?

Catholics and non-Catholics alike?

I don't see any reason why non-Catholics seeking ethical guidance should not heed the words of a man as holy as the Pope.

I don't see any reason why non-Catholics seeking ethical guidance should not heed the words of a man as holy as the Pope.

That seems a little elitist to me. I have actually heard Protestants argue whether or not the Pope will get into heaven. Then there are people like me, who aren't big fans of taking ethical advice from a total stranger presiding over an orginization, which at the very least has turned a blind eye towards actions I consider non-ethical.

That seems a little elitist to me. I have actually heard Protestants argue whether or not the Pope will get into heaven. Then there are people like me, who aren't big fans of taking ethical advice from a total stranger presiding over an orginization, which at the very least has turned a blind eye towards actions I consider non-ethical.

I'm not sure how that's elitist- I'd also say that the Dalai Lama has contributions to make in terms of moral philosophy- but start another thread.