Pope calls for new economic order, criticizes capitalism

[Ichingcarpenter]

Source: reuters

Pope Francis on Thursday urged the downtrodden to change the world economic order, denouncing a "new colonialism" by agencies that impose austerity programs and calling for the poor to have the "sacred rights" of labor, lodging and land.

In one of the longest, most passionate and sweeping speeches of his pontificate, the Argentine-born pope also asked forgiveness for the sins committed by the Roman Catholic Church in its treatment of native Americans during what he called the "so-called conquest of America."

Quoting a fourth century bishop, he called the unfettered pursuit of money "the dung of the devil," and said poor countries should not be reduced to being providers of raw material and cheap labor for developed countries.

Repeating some of the themes of his landmark encyclical "Laudato Si" on the environment last month, Francis said time was running out to save the planet from perhaps irreversible harm to the ecosystem.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/10/us-pope-latam-bolivia-idUSKCN0PJ29B20150710

[elleng]

1. Something's in the air/stars, eh???

[jaysunb]

2. Yup. n/t

[msongs]

3. pope calls for freedom for women, endorses contraception...oh wait nt

[merrily]

4. I am not going to look a gift pronouncement in the mouth.

However, I am mindful of the Church's historic and continuing role in other issues. I am also aware that that this is one of the richest, most pampered persons in the world.

Will I take this one gratefully? Yes. But, overall, no applause yet.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

5. This is when the Right decides he must be silenced.

[get the red out]

7. My thinking too

I hope he has security he can trust.

[Peace Patriot]

6. "the dung of the devil"! Now there's a phrase!

I've tried to be colorful myself, about the planet-killing, democracy-killing greed by the uber rich--but hats off to Pope Francis! It couldn't have been said better.

...he called the unfettered pursuit of money "the dung of the devil,"...--from the OP (my emphasis)

Well, I guess he was quoting a previous Pope, but still, it's a winner!

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Goodness

There must be eyes rolling, graves turning, panic galore
in 1% Christendom this morning

'dung of the devil'?

'new colonialism'

'labor, lodging, land'?

change the 'world economic order'?

These phrases are but a half step removed from

'New World Order' (as a side note which two world politicians used that phrase?)

'land, labor, capital'

'peace, land, bread'

It's like imperialism and exploitation are on the Church's radar

Did he say anything about bankers?

[Cal33]

9. "Did he say anything about bankers?" When he called "the unfettered pursuit of money the dung of

the devil," he must have had in mind all the business corporation leaders that
practiced bribery and corruption, including bankers and pharmaceutical companies.

Few of the popes had the guts Pope Francis has to say this for all the world to hear.
Some of the Catholics who hesitantly vote Republican may now change their minds.

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. the anonymous influence of mammon

"The new colonialism takes on different faces. At times it appears as the anonymous influence of mammon:

CORPORATIONS, LOAN AGENCIES, certain 'FREE TRADE TREATIES, and the imposition of measures of 'austerity'

which always tighten the belt of workers and the poor.”

http://www.romereports.com/2015/07/10/pope-francis-warns-against-new-forms-of-colonialism


Mammon, in the New Testament of the Bible, is greed or material wealth, and in the Middle Ages was often personified as a deity, and sometimes included in the seven princes of Hell.


'' Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
—Matthew 6:19–21,24 (KJV)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammon

[Enthusiast]

11. Capitalism must be TIGHTLY regulated.

[GliderGuider]

12. Every time this man speaks, my admiration for him goes up a notch.

[Sunk in Tupelo]

14. I'm not a religious person,

but I am glad to see the Pope recognizing that austerity only serves the rich and hurts the poor. The US and EU need to rethink how they behave towards the least fortunate amongst us. What is happening in Greece is a travesty that was caused by cronyism in the EU and the former Greek governments. I'm relatively sure that the people of Greece who are suffering did not cause that economic collapse so it's disappointing to see so many US and EU media outlets blaming the victims.