Pope Francis calls unfettered capitalism 'tyranny' and urges rich to share wealth

[Nikolai]

Thanks. Lost 26 or so kg.

[Aeson]

Thanks. Lost 26 or so kg.

[Aeson]

"attacking the structural reasons for inequality"

[kentonio]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rerum_Novarum

Please point out where the church's wealth suddenly dropped around this time due to its distribution to the poor.

[kentonio]

I didn't see where he argued for the church giving up all of it's wealth. I must have missed that. But if true, yes indeed it would be rare

We'll have to wait and see if he actually does anything about it, but..

I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security

[rah]

Not quite advocating giving everything up, but yeah I can see the intent.

[kentonio]

The only reason I take it at all seriously, is because he seems to actually be living it too. He apparently stays in some humble dwelling rather than the palace and is actively refusing to enjoy the normal level of bling associated with the role.

[DaShi]

So the pope does poop in the woods?

[Imran Siddiqui]

"attacking the structural reasons for inequality"

And yes, the Catholic Church has been saying this for a while, but its been a bit drowned out in the US (at any rate) due to the culture war stuff. And, also yes, the Catholic Church sees more than economic efficiency as the goal of modern societies (as it should).

[Hauldren Collider]

Then it's retarded, since "economic efficiency" is synonymous by definition with "socially optimal".

[Ben Kenobi]

Francis also says this!

"Marriage now tends to be viewed as a form of mere emotional satisfaction that can be constructed in any way or modified at will. But the indispensible contribution of marriage to society transcends the feelings and momentary needs of the couple. As the French bishops have taught, it is not born “of loving sentiment, ephemeral by definition, but from the depth of the obligation assumed by the spouses who accept to enter a total communion of life”.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium_en.html

And the actual link to the original so you don't have to read the fricken Guardian.

What was that about 'individuality isn't primary'?

[Ben Kenobi]

Poor Ben, turns out the central message of Catholicism is not "every man for himself". And the London Underground is not a political movement.

Poor Mr. Fun. Francis just smacked down his entire concept of 'marriage'. Odd I don't see the guardian reporting on this!

[Ben Kenobi]

Among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenceless and innocent among us. Nowadays efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and to do with them whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone from standing in the way of this. Frequently, as a way of ridiculing the Church’s effort to defend their lives, attempts are made to present her position as ideological, obscurantist and conservative. Yet this defence of unborn life is closely linked to the defence of each and every other human right. It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development. Human beings are ends in themselves and never a means of resolving other problems. Once this conviction disappears, so do solid and lasting foundations for the defence of human rights, which would always be subject to the passing whims of the powers that be. Reason alone is sufficient to recognize the inviolable value of each single human life, but if we also look at the issue from the standpoint of faith, “every violation of the personal dignity of the human being cries out in vengeance to God and is an offence against the creator of the individual”.

Go Papa Francis!!!

[Wiglaf]

Then it's retarded, since "economic efficiency" is synonymous by definition with "socially optimal".

I guess this is true, if you are getting your definitions from a conservative pamphlet or something.

[PLATO]

Francis is obviously a good hearted man who takes his beliefs seriously. I don't think he understands though where wealth comes from. I do agree that the wealthy could and should do more for the poor, but I don't think that a "Tax the rich until there are no rich anymore" philosophy would be overall for the good.

Still... for the thought and trying to bring attention to the true mission of the church.