Question: Did Pope Benedict Attack Capitalism in His 2013 World Peace Day Message? Answer: No!

By Deacon Keith Fournier
1/4/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

The Social Teaching of the catholic Church is neither left nor right, within the contemporary politicized use of those words

Pope Benedict's profound letter on World Peace Day should be read by every world leader. It should also be ACCURATELY reported on. Did Pope Benedict attack Capitalism in his 2013 World Peace Day Message? The answer is No! He spoke the truth. He issued a caution, reaffirmed the truth about human freedom and inited upon the primacy of the person, the family and the true common good.

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CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - In a message released on New Year's Day, the World Day of Peace, Pope Benedict XVI used a few words which were quoted out of context in numerous media reports. The Message is entitled "Blessed Are the Peacemakers", the theme of this Year's World Day of Peace, and can be read here. It is a brilliantly written exposition of Catholic Social Doctrine which offers tremendous insights sorely needed in this urgent hour.

In the middle of 4,000 words addressing a full palate of social concerns - including the obligation to defend human life, protect marriage and the family, respect fundamental human rights such as religious freedom and encourage truly just economic development - he made reference to a "a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism."

Those few words gave rise to headlines in several media sources which were either intentionally false or reflected sloppy journalism. I will leave such a judgment to others. However, this kind of caution has been given before by the magisterium - and rightly so.

Here are two of many examples of poor coverage: Breitbart News reported on the speech in an article entitled "Pope Attacks Capitalism in New Years Speech." The Daily Mail out of the UK reported on the speech in an article entitled "Pope's hope for peace in 2013 despite fears over the threat of terrorism and capitalism." Both titles, as well as the articles which followed, revealed that the authors did not read the message from Pope benedict XVI in its entirety.

I was reminded of similar reactions to Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 Encyclical letter, Charity in Truth. In that encyclical letter the Pope addressed what the Church calls integral human development. The early responders attempted to read the letter through the prism of political categories such as "left" and "right", "liberal" and conservative". The incessant efforts to characterize the principles offered in that letter as "for or against capitalism" also missed the insights offered by Pope Benedict XVI on economic development and the primacy of the human person, the family and the common good.

The field of moral theology referred to as Catholic Social Doctrine is often misunderstood and misrepresented. The Catholic Church does not propose any economic system or endorse any particular economic theory. However, as an expert in humanity, she insists that every economic order be placed at the service of the human person, human freedom, human flourishing, the family and the common good.

This teaching is called social because it speaks to human society and to the formation, role and rightful place of social institutions. The Social Teaching of the catholic Church is neither left nor right, within the contemporary politicized use of those words. The Church "walks the way of the person" because she continues the work of the Lord Jesus in whom is revealed the fullness of the human person.

The Social teaching maintains that there are unchangeable truths, such as the dignity of every human person at every age and stage, which provide a framework for viewing and structuring our social life together. We should recognize and follow them if we ever hope to build a truly just society.

This human dignity is present in every person, at every age and stage, because it reflects the Image of God in all men and women. It is this foundational vision of the human person which informs the Catholic position concerning the respect for every human life whether that life be in the first home of the womb, a wheelchair, a jail cell, a hospital room, a hospice, a senior center or a soup kitchen.

It does not propose any particular economic theory but insists that every economic order must first be at the service of the dignity of the human person and the family and further the common good. The social teaching offers principles which are to be worked into the loaf of human culture in order to build a more just society. That includes principles meant to inform how we order our economies. Because they are principles, they leave room for the application of prudential judgment.

The Church challenges any notion of freedom which begins and ends with the isolated, atomistic, person as the measure of its ...

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1 - 10 of 20 Comments

KarlVDH
5 months ago
The problem is that for generations, our Republi-Crat political "leaders," people COMPLETELY owned by big business, have been ramming the idea down our throats that "capitalism" is somehow a divinely inspired, American righteous pursuit. The fact is that it's nothing more than a politico-economic system, like any other, and until we in this country learn to seperate ourselves from the idea that one p[arty, system or ideology is inherently the godly way to go, those people own us, and we are guilty of idolatry. We MUST stop working so hard to mold our faith around our political ideologies instead of vice-versa. God doesn't love capitalism, in fact, it largely runs completely counter to the way Christ and the Apostles and subsequent followers lived. And God doesn't particularly love or bless America... he loves HUMANITY. We're fast losing sight of that truth.
gfgrosek
5 months ago
Extreme capitalism is a love of money and materials. Of course our church leader is concerned when a capitalistc society puts money ahead of the common good of the majority of people,
John Garrett
5 months ago
I didn't read it as the Pope 'attacking capitalism', but at the very least it's clear that the Pope is saying that there is a need for more financial regulation. I do find it interesting that this isn't the first time that this Pope has made statements that everyone had to scramble to put into 'context' and 'explain' to people....(I'm still waiting for the explanation of the 'clarification' given by Father Lombardi a couple years ago when the Pope's book came out. **Father Lombardi explained that the Pope did not attach great significance to his choice of a male rather than female prostitute to illustrate his point. The basic point, he said, is “the first step of taking responsibility, of taking into consideration the risk to the life of another.”**

Anyway, it's fun to watch the spin from sites like this when this clearly not-as-right-leaning-as-other-popes speaks his mind.
judy claar
5 months ago
Deacon Keith, Good Article! I have read your article, the Pope's letter, and all posts. It appears that this indeed is a good topic, and that the letter itself could be discussed in sections as Tom McGuire stated. I find myself agreeing especially, with Matthew Thankachen O. Praem, Steven, rafealmarie of 1 day ago, and mike robertson. A conglomeration of information. All good and valid viewpoints. scottr however, asks us to look at the main three types of governments. And yes, it is true, none of them are perfect. But we do not live in a perfect world. On that note I would say, that our papa is simply telling us, our greedy capitalism (which I choose over the others), can certainly be improved! And we all know it. Just as we know Human Dignity and Respect and Social Justice can be improved. (Just another input.) Blessings...
Dennis M
5 months ago
Hugo,
Why is it bad for people to love Walmart and dislike Castro? Also, I don't remember Exxon employees or owners strapping on guns to go invade Iraq or Afganistan...
hugo ramirez
5 months ago
Thank you for the article! It was well written and shows quality of understanding. However, I do notice that the article itself was an immediate response to clarify something consider to have a potential devastating consequence. Why are we so afraid to criticize the very same system that has created so much social stratification and political strife in the world? Why is it okay to live in a country where people love Wal -Mart at the same time that they demonize Castro and have no problems ion supporting a laughable embargo. Would any one care to talk about this? Or that the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan really, ultimately boil down to capitalistic greed? I believe that capitalism is on its way to imploding, that it is unsustainable, unless we reform it, but how can there be reform when we have no real dialogue?
scottr
5 months ago
Read VII document "the church in the world". a complete dialoge is found on communism, capitalism and socialism and the enherent evil in all of them.
Dennis M
5 months ago
Unfortunately, the Pope was saying to tax the people more. I don't believe he means to cast such a tax on our fellow Roman Catholics or others in the world. However this is what is meant when anyone says, "unregulated financial capitalism." To regulate anything, a government is needed. When a government "regulates," it just imposes taxes or restrictions to the subjects by force. And since the consumer is us, it means we end up paying more for the product or service. Therefor punishing the customer for "greed" of a company. But who's the real "greedy" enemy? The company, which you can freely choose not to buy? Or the government, which forces taxation and regulations on both company and customer? I'd prefer to choose what to or not to buy and take that chance. And not allow a government to interfere with a free market, because atleast with a free market you can vote with your wallet. But, with a government, you're told what to, or not to buy by FORCE.
rafaelmarie
5 months ago
@karlmarx (karlvdh)

You can't legislate morality.

Nor can you impose it.

Whether nations rise or fall is directly dependent on their morality.

Creating laws based on class hatred is just plain socialism/communism, and that system is intrinsically evil.

Any more questions???
Tom McGuire
5 months ago
You are right this is a great document and it would be well for all to read it. However, I was disappointed that you chose to attack the press rather than focus on the theme of the talk: Peacemaking.

The following quote especially addresses itself to our situation in the United States. If we could have had more of a dialogue on this level during the recent election.

"Peacemakers must also bear in mind that, in growing sectors of public opinion, the ideologies of radical liberalism and technocracy are spreading the conviction that economic growth should be pursued even to the detriment of the state’s social responsibilities and civil society’s networks of solidarity, together with social rights and duties. It should be remembered that these rights and duties are fundamental for the full realization of other rights and duties, starting with those which are civil and political."

How about taking the Pope's statement apart section by section in future articles?

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