Replies

PM, cherry picking +Benedict XVI is as fruitless a pursuit, and ultimately as misleading, as proof texting the Fathers or for that matter the Scriptures. The lines you have quoted have to be read first and foremost within the context of the chapter they are found in and the state of the world he is addressing. His suggestions are nothing more than a more just, from the pov of The Church which is not so parochial as that usually found in America, GATT, NAFTA, G8, G20, etc. system and are seen as potentially necessary in light of current conditions. The key, moreover, is his insistence on subsidarity. Beyond these obvious observations about a current context, it is far, far more important to read this encyclical within the Consensus Patrum of The Church. I know that seems to be a cop out, and that’s a fair criticism, but unless you have an almost gut comprehension of the Consensus Patrum, something which is born of more than merely reading The Fathers, which finds its source more in living our lives worshipping correctly within our liturgical community, The Holy Mother Church as the Latins call it, it will be at a minimum difficult to recognize what this pope, the most Patristic in 1200 years, is, and more importantly is not, saying.

PM, the bona fides of the Latin Church as being anti-communist and anti-socialist are too well established to be seriously questioned by any informed person. That the Pope does not embrace, indeed for all intents and purposes condemns, laissez faire capitalism and any form of local, national or international economic social Darwinism should come as no surprise to any Christian, whether or not he or she is a member of The Church or what is called around here a bible believing assembly.

If the foregoing is beyond argument, and I sincerely believe it is, then it seems to me that all Christians can learn from this latest exposition of the Faith of The Fathers on economic matters whether they can appreciate the Consensus Patrum or not.

Indeed it has been awhile since we spoke. Your voice as a thoughtful and well read Protestant is often missed in these discussions, my friend.