Holy Financial Reform, Pope-Man !

[cbelt3]

http://www.news.va/en/news/full-text-not...the-pontif
"In a world on its way to rapid globalization, the reference to a world Authority becomes the only horizon compatible with the new realities of our time and the needs of humankind. However, it should not be forgotten that this development, given wounded human nature, will not come about without anguish and suffering.Through the account of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), the Bible warns us how the “diversity” of peoples can turn into a vehicle for selfishness and an instrument of division. In humanity there is a real risk that peoples will end up not understanding each other and that cultural diversities will lead to irremediable oppositions. The image of the Tower of Babel also warns us that we must avoid a “unity” that is only apparent, where selfishness and divisions endure because the foundations of the society are not stable. In both cases, Babel is the image of what peoples and individuals can become when they do not recognize their intrinsic transcendent dignity and brotherhood."
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Wow.

A call for a "World Authority" ? Wow. Philosophically and ethically it makes a certain amount of sense. From a nationalistic perspective ? Ouch.

It's important to remember that The Church represents 'all peoples' the world around.

[$tevie]

So I take this to mean that the Pope has joined Warren Buffet, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jacob Rothschild as a member of the Order of the Illuminati. ::o

[Grace62]

cbelt3 wrote:
- - -
Wow.

A call for a "World Authority" ? Wow. Philosophically and ethically it makes a certain amount of sense. From a nationalistic perspective ? Ouch.

It's important to remember that The Church represents 'all peoples' the world around.

Very interesting article (and source! direct from the Vatican...)
Thanks for linking that. I don't think it's as strange as it seems, nor an "ouch" to nations, any more than the EU, or the United Nations, or other similar attempts to bring nations together for a common good. It's not an easy thing to do, but the rewards can be great if the effort at cooperation is made. The article stresses the need to honor and respect the cultural and other differences among nations. There is no call for an erasure of what makes us different and unique from one another.
I was listening to the debate in Parliament this morning regarding their participation in the EU, which is still controversial. David Cameron made a good point: What's the right thing to do if your neighbor's house is on fire? Call for help and do what you can to offer assistance, or start building a wall to make sure your own house doesn't burn?

[cbelt3]

Grace- Very nice point from Parliament. It shows that at least Europe has passed the point that defined the first half of the 20th century, where when your neighbor's house was on fire, it was the perfect time to loot his barn and steal his livestock and womenfolk.

As the Vatican points out, we're all on the planet together, and the goal of any person should be Peace (which was the central thesis of the document). Globalization as a force for peace is an interesting concept, and worthy of consideration.

[DaveS]

cbelt3 wrote:
A call for a "World Authority" ? Wow. Philosophically and ethically it makes a certain amount of sense. From a nationalistic perspective ? Ouch.

I suspect that it will make even more sense "philosophically and ethically" 100 years from now. We have seen the beginnings over the last 60-70 years with the birth of the UN. A mess in many ways for sure but it is hard to argue with some of its programs.

Now whether nationalistic pride or more importantly ethnic "purity" can be over come is a whole different problem... a problem even money can't solve.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Fnord.

[rjmacs]

cbelt3 wrote:
Grace- Very nice point from Parliament. It shows that at least Europe has passed the point that defined the first half of the 20th century, where when your neighbor's house was on fire, it was the perfect time to loot his barn and steal his livestock and womenfolk.

Actually, the trend you mention is a pre-20th century one. By first half of the 20th century, Europeans had learned to firebomb the barn, leave the livestock to rot or feed advancing troops, and send the womenfolk off to camps (after rapery, of course).

I found it interesting to note that Pat Robertson's reaction to this announcement was that the Pope has as much authority to speak on ethics and politics as he does about the likely winner of an upcoming football game. In other words, if he's not speaking in his official capacity on church teaching, he can buzz off!

[Grace62]

rjmacs wrote:
I found it interesting to note that Pat Robertson's reaction to this announcement was that the Pope has as much authority to speak on ethics and politics as he does about the likely winner of an upcoming football game. In other words, if he's not speaking in his official capacity on church teaching, he can buzz off!

Right Pat. Justice and peace have nothing to do with church teaching. (At least not in Pat Robertson's world....)

[cbelt3]

Ectually if Pat had read the missive instead of the bloggery about it, he would have recognized that it was about Church Teachings.

Silly Robertson. Religion is not for self-aggrandizing idiots..

[Black Tea]

Actually, the Pope had nothing to do with this document. It's just something from a small Vatican committee with very little power. It's not an encyclical nor a dogmatic proclamation.

The Catholic principle of subsidiarity is still the model to follow, e.g. solutions to economic problems need to begin at the most local level, and certainly not at an international level or even at a national level.

If you want to know what the Pope thinks, read Caritas in Veritate.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedi...te_en.html

As usual the media gets it totally wrong.