Posted on 08/20/2009 12:30:40 PM PDT by IbJensen
LOL! So I have been told.
>>> This human development must be inspired by truth, in this case, the truth about humanity. Pursuit of this truth reveals that each human being possesses absolute worth; therefore, authentic human development is predicated on a radical defense of life. <<<
Since when does “each human being possess absolute worth”? Did Judas Iscariot? I’ve looked at the encyclicals of BXVI and JPII, and cannot find these words expressed anywhere therein. A Catholic friend of mine assures me that they are NOT in the Catholic catechism. Is this some tidbit of Catholic folklore that pretends to be orthodox?
The catechism has been made as elastic as has the Constitution of the United States.
Evil and revisionism surrounds us.
>>> Evil and revisionism surrounds us. <<<
Ain’t that the truth!
Apparently, we’re also surrounded by Catholics who make stuff up (”infinite worth of the human person”) and then claim it’s “a timeless tradition of the Church.”
Either that, or you’re correct when you point out that I should blame BXVI for it. Problem is, I can’t find anything in his writings that comes close to this touchy-feely blather. BXVI seems to (appropriately) apply “infinite” as a descriptor ONLY to the Persons and Attributes of our Triune God. Is there something I haven’t read?
- "Once profit becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty."
- "... there is no doubt that foreign workers, despite any difficulties concerning integration, make a significant contribution to the economic development of the host country."
- "What is meant by the word 'decency' in regard to work? It means work that expresses the essential dignity of every man and woman in the context of their particular society: work that is freely chosen, effectively associating workers, both men and women, with the development of their community; work that enables the worker to be respected and free from any form of discrimination; work that makes it possible for families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children. ..."
- "Financiers must rediscover the genuinely ethical foundation of their activity, so as not to abuse the sophisticated instruments which can serve to betray the interests of savers."
Cumulatively, Benedict's diagnoses of global economic ills lead to a call for nothing short of "a profoundly new way of understanding human enterprise."
He would move toward markets geared to "redistribute" wealth from advanced to poorer countries and sees "urgent need of a true world political authority" to, among other tasks, "manage the global economy."
Benedict's encyclical, titled "Charity in Truth," is stunningly radical, notably in its prescriptions for the temporal order. There's no doubt that in urging the creation of something akin to a world government, he has established a landmark for his papacy and for Catholicism.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_a_popes_new_world_order_benedict_proposes_stunningly_radical_approach_to_global_.html#ixzz0Qzl3tERM
You’re preaching to the choir here, IbJensen. Look at my earlier posts on this topic.
It should be no surprise to anyone familiar with the RCC that it traditionally has had significant problems with 1.) capitalism, in both its national and international aspects, and 2.) the increasing separation of Church and State that has been going on in Europe since the Peace of Westphalia.
The “integralism” that is the key notion in _Caritas_, if brought about to the extent that BXVI apparently wants it, is radical and would bring about significant changes worldwide. It would bring about the end of capitalism and the re-integration of institutional religion into government (in nations where the two have drifted apart) on the national and international level.
The desired creation of a “global governing authority” is a key, but not the only key, to understanding the radical nature of _Caritas_.
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