DENOUNCING THE ERRORS BEHIND THE
ECONOMIC CRISIS
VATICAN
Benedict XVI
explained that the Church has the duty to present a reasonable and well-argued
criticism of the errors that have led to the current economic crisis. This
duty, he said, forms part of the Church's mission and must be exercised firmly
and courageously, avoiding moralism but explaining
matters using concrete reasons that may be understood by everyone.
Referring to
his forthcoming social Encyclical, the Pope then presented a synthetic overview
of the crisis, analysing it at two levels. First he considered the
macroeconomic aspects, highlighting the shortcomings of a system founded on
selfishness and the idolatry of money, which cast a shadow over man's reason
and will and lead him into the ways of error. Here the Church is called to make
her voice heard - nationally and internationally - in order to help bring about
a change of direction and show the path of true reason illuminated by faith,
which is the path of self-sacrifice and concern for the needy.
The second
aspect of the Holy Father's analysis concerned the sphere of microeconomics.
Large-scale projects for reform, he said, cannot come about unless individuals
alter their ways. If there are no just people, then there can be no justice.
Hence he invited people to intensify their humble, everyday efforts for the
conversion of hearts, an undertaking that above all involves parishes whose
activity is not just limited to the local community but opens up to all humanity.
Turning his
attention to the question of evangelising work among people who have moved away
from the faith, the Pope underlined the importance of personal witness from
individuals who live not for themselves but for others. Such witness must be associated
with the Word, he remarked, because it is the Word that gives credibility to
witness by revealing that the faith is not a philosophy or a utopia, but a
truth that becomes life.
To this end,
Pope Benedict continued, what we need are priests and catechists who have
cultural training, but above all who are capable of speaking to modern man with
the simplicity of truth, in order to show people that God is not, in fact, some
distant being but a person Who talks and acts in the lives of all human beings.
On the subject
of the liturgy, the Pope commented that it is like a school in which to learn
the art of being human and to experience familiarity with Christ. The Eucharist
in particular must be lived as a sign and seed of charity, he said.
Answering a
question concerning the significance of the Bishop of Rome's mission, the Holy
Father explained that it is a guarantee of the universality of the Church. The
Church does not identify with any particular culture because it transcends
nationalism and frontiers to welcome all peoples, respecting their own
particular richness and characteristics.
Finally,
responding to a question on the educational emergency, Benedict XVI indicated
that what is lacking today is a shared view of the world, an ethical
orientation that keeps man from falling prey to arbitrariness. Thus, while
faith remains open to all cultures, it is also their criterion for discernment
and guidance.
AC/.../PRIESTS DIOCESE