Pope attacks global economics for worshipping 'god of money'

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While I agree with the Holy Father’s sentiments, the issue and the solution is quite complex. That is probably why “while Francis’s predecessor Benedict also called for changes to economic systems, he was more likely to use dense intellectual language.”

What we need is to move more towards distributism and political governance that is more in line with subsidiarity. Getting from here to there is not easy.
 
To me, the most interesting aspect of this article is that Francis scrapped his prepared speech (which likely dove into a greater level of detail) and chose to speak from his heart after hearing from the people in attendance. His pastoral approach to those in crisis is lovely.
 
What a brave and timely thing to say. I love Pope Francis!
 
gracepoole said:
To me, the most interesting aspect of this article is that Francis scrapped his prepared speech (which likely dove into a greater level of detail) and chose to speak from his heart after hearing from the people in attendance. His pastoral approach to those in crisis is lovely.
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👍
 
Good!

Some Catholics fall prey to appealing to an economic system as a secondary moral authority at the expense of their faith,

and many people in general get caught up in the “god of money” as if our purpose on Earth was for the economic system and desiring contentment in this life and nothing else.
 
Thanks be to God! 😃

What a breath of fresh air in this Tea Party infested country!

LONG LIVE POPE FRANCIS.
 
The current economic system breeds greed, power and prestige, which are all EVIL!!! We need an economic system that caters to those living in extreme poverty. An economic system that invests in the poor by promoting education of all children, and providing decent paying, and meaningful, jobs. With 2.4 billion people living on less than $2.00 (USD) per day, can you imagine the strength of an economic system that puts these poor souls to work? Can you imagine the new technologies, increased production and scientific research that would result? This is not a dream or wishful thinking, but a potential reality!
 
Robert_Sock said:
The current economic system breeds greed, power and prestige, which are all EVIL!!! We need an economic system that caters to those living in extreme poverty. An economic system that invests in the poor by promoting education of all children, and providing decent paying, and meaningful, jobs. With 2.4 billion people living on less than $2.00 (USD) per day, can you imagine the strength of an economic system that puts these poor souls to work? Can you imagine the new technologies, increased production and scientific research that would result? This is not a dream or wishful thinking, but a potential reality!
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What kind of economic system would that be?
 
SaintAugustine said:
What kind of economic system would that be?
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Ask an economist, or Pope Francis. I’m just a retired research psychologist who happens to have deep humanitarian values, especially in eradicating extreme poverty from the face of the planet. .
 
Robert_Sock said:
The current economic system breeds greed, power and prestige, which are all EVIL!!! We need an economic system that caters to those living in extreme poverty. An economic system that invests in the poor by promoting education of all children, and providing decent paying, and meaningful, jobs. With 2.4 billion people living on less than $2.00 (USD) per day, can you imagine the strength of an economic system that puts these poor souls to work? Can you imagine the new technologies, increased production and scientific research that would result? This is not a dream or wishful thinking, but a potential reality!
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SaintAugustine said:
What kind of economic system would that be?
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Robert_Sock said:
Ask an economist, or Pope Francis. I’m just a retired research psychologist who happens to have deep humanitarian values, especially in eradicating extreme poverty from the face of the planet. .
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Okay. I just thought it wasn’t a “dream or wishful thinking” on your part. Apparently, it is. 🤷
 
Robert_Sock said:
Speak for yourself. It’s your opinion!
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Wait…so you do know an economic system? Make up your mind. Is it realistic, or not? You can’t just claim it is and then claim ignorance…

I haven’t voiced an opinion. I would love an economic system that would be in line with Church teaching. I haven’t heard a valid one proposed. You gave me brief hope, until you confirmed that there isn’t one that you know of. 🤷
 
SaintAugustine said:
Wait…so you do know an economic system? Make up your mind. Is it realistic, or not? You can’t just claim it is and then claim ignorance…

I haven’t voiced an opinion. I would love an economic system that would be in line with Church teaching. I haven’t heard a valid one proposed. You gave me brief hope, until you confirmed that there isn’t one that you know of. 🤷
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The economic system could be capitalism, socialism or distributism. What needs to happen is a drastic change in values, with an intense motivation to invest in the people, especially those living in poverty.
 
Robert_Sock said:
The economic system could be capitalism, socialism or distributism. What needs to happen is a drastic change in values, with an intense motivation to invest in the people, especially those living in poverty.
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Indeed. In other words, there is no “economic system” that will accomplish it. Thank you for confirming that. The Church has spoken out against Socialism, so that is not it. Unbridled Capitalism is also out. Distributism is ideal, but I don’t see how to implement it without a tyrannical government forcing it.

I think the best we can do is regulated Capitalism (which is what we have now) that encourages distributism without government overreach, which is against Church teaching.
 
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