Pope Calls for 'New World Order'

[zengrifter]

From profits to ethics:
pope calls for a new political and financial world order

• Global recession caused by greed, says pontiff
• Economic crisis is 'clear proof of effects of sin'

John Hooper in Rome
guardian.co.uk | Tuesday 7 July 2009



Pope Benedict. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters

Pope Benedict today pinned responsibility for the worldwide recession squarely on greed and an amoral fascination with technological progress for its own sake.

This must be tackled, he said, by the creation of a global political authority and financial order based not just on the search for ever greater profits, but on ethics and a sense of the common good.

The pontiff made the appeal in a 144-page encyclical – a reflection on doctrine that is the highest form of papal writing – three days before he was due to discuss the global downturn with Barack Obama.

Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) is Benedict's third encyclical and the first to deal exclusively with economic and social issues. In one section, he says the current economic crisis is "clear proof" of the "pernicious effects of sin".

The pope's analysis echoed some of the criticisms made by the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, of government policies that target growth to the exclusion of wider social considerations. But, as its title suggests, the papal encyclical is a primarily theological discourse which takes as its point of departure the argument that only a belief in the truth as proclaimed by Christianity can offer the necessary answers.

MORE- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...inancial-order

[Katweezel]

..."The Pope noted that "the market economy is broader than just capitalism", which was merely one variant. In another section of the reflection, Benedict argues that "financiers must rediscover the genuinely ethical foundation of their activity … right intention, transparency, and the search for positive results are mutually compatible and must never be detached from one another..."
Did they read this, down at Goldman Sachs?

[Katweezel]

Originally Posted by zengrifter

From profits to ethics:
pope calls for a new political and financial world order

• Global recession caused by greed, says pontiff
• Economic crisis is 'clear proof of effects of sin'

John Hooper in Rome
guardian.co.uk | Tuesday 7 July 2009



Pope Benedict. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters

Pope Benedict today pinned responsibility for the worldwide recession squarely on greed and an amoral fascination with technological progress for its own sake.

This must be tackled, he said, by the creation of a global political authority and financial order based not just on the search for ever greater profits, but on ethics and a sense of the common good.

The pontiff made the appeal in a 144-page encyclical – a reflection on doctrine that is the highest form of papal writing – three days before he was due to discuss the global downturn with Barack Obama.

Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) is Benedict's third encyclical and the first to deal exclusively with economic and social issues. In one section, he says the current economic crisis is "clear proof" of the "pernicious effects of sin".

The pope's analysis echoed some of the criticisms made by the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, of government policies that target growth to the exclusion of wider social considerations. But, as its title suggests, the papal encyclical is a primarily theological discourse which takes as its point of departure the argument that only a belief in the truth as proclaimed by Christianity can offer the necessary answers.

MORE- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...inancial-order

Why is the Vatican seeking more influence in world economic matters? Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other religions may follow suit, in a scramble for the high seats at the table. Before the Vatican religious views can be taken seriously in economic matters, it may help if they would disclose the full, open and transparent measure of, and the nature of Vatican investments, and their income from these, world-wide. Only then could they seriously pontificate about greed.

For a proper discussion among equals, the Vatican would need to stop using the judgmental word: "sin" and begin to use more modern, less ambiguous terms, that are free of religious connotations. I can't see them doing either of those things any time soon.

PS Why is he wearing a red cowboy hat?

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Katweezel

PS Why is he wearing a red cowboy hat?

he was just participating in the "running of the bulls" ???

[Katweezel]

Originally Posted by Brutus

he was just participating in the "running of the bulls" ???

Bull.

[blackchipjim]

The Pontiff speaks the truth on the true causes of this economic collapse. Greed is the major cause of wrongs committed against our fellow brethern. What else would cause someone to decieve another in an effort to gain obscene wealth. The question of the vatican's financials is of no concern since it is based on good not evil. I would rather contribute to an orginization that is based on the Vaticans' than on say Lehman brothers. blackchipjim

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by blackchipjim

The question of the vatican's financials is of no concern since it is based on good not evil.

Whoa Nelly! zg

[daddybo]

Originally Posted by blackchipjim

The Pontiff speaks the truth on the true causes of this economic collapse. Greed is the major cause of wrongs committed against our fellow brethern. What else would cause someone to decieve another in an effort to gain obscene wealth. The question of the vatican's financials is of no concern since it is based on good not evil. I would rather contribute to an orginization that is based on the Vaticans' than on say Lehman brothers. blackchipjim

Somebody's not up on his Zen Zone Conspiracy Doctrine!

[Katweezel]

Originally Posted by blackchipjim

The Pontiff speaks the truth on the true causes of this economic collapse. Greed is the major cause of wrongs committed against our fellow brethern. What else would cause someone to decieve another in an effort to gain obscene wealth. The question of the vatican's financials is of no concern since it is based on good not evil. I would rather contribute to an orginization that is based on the Vaticans' than on say Lehman brothers. blackchipjim

'Normal' business practice follows the publishing of a yearly report listing assets, income and expenditure for among other things, taxation purposes. An ethical, honest, law-abiding international business complies with its obligations as a matter of course. The Vatican runs a vast multi-national business empire. Should they be treated any differently from any other large business empire that generates vast wealth, while hundreds of millions of the world's population languishes in abject poverty and despair?

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by Katweezel

'Normal' business practice follows the publishing of a yearly report listing assets, income and expenditure for among other things, taxation purposes. An ethical, honest, law-abiding international business complies with its obligations as a matter of course. The Vatican runs a vast multi-national business empire. Should they be treated any differently from any other large business empire that generates vast wealth, while hundreds of millions of the world's population languishes in abject poverty and despair?

The world's poor is where much/most of the incomming doations come from. zg