Notre Dame Des Victoires

In the wake of the publication of Pope Francis’ most recent encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, there was a great deal of negative commentary regarding the pope’s attitude toward capitalism and private property. Many readers interpreted Francis to mean that the capitalist system is, in itself, exploitative and that the holding of private property is morally problematic. Like most who write in a prophetic mode, Pope Francis is indeed given to strong and challenging language, and therefore, it is easy enough to understand how he excites opposition. But it is most important to read what he says with care and to interpret it within the context of the long tradition of Catholic social teaching. First, in regard to capitalism, or what the Church prefers to call the “market economy,” the pope has this to say: “Business activity is essentially ‘a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving our world’”…

Tras la publicación de la carta encíclica más reciente del Papa Francisco, Fratelli Tutti, hubo muchos comentarios negativos sobre la actitud del Papa hacia el capitalismo y la propiedad privada. Muchos lectores interpretaron a Francisco como que el sistema capitalista es, en sí mismo, explotador y que la tenencia de la propiedad privada es moralmente problemática. Al igual que la mayoría de los que escriben en un modo profético, el Papa Francisco tiene una inclinación por el uso de un lenguaje fuerte y desafiante, y por lo tanto, es bastante fácil entender cómo suscita oposición. Pero lo más importante es leer lo que dice con cuidado e interpretarlo dentro del contexto de la larga tradición de la enseñanza social católica. En primer lugar, con respecto al capitalismo, o lo que la Iglesia prefiere llamar la “economía de mercado”, el Papa tiene esto que decir: “Es verdad que la actividad…

Every four years, Catholics face an intense dilemma in regard to the vote. There are ardently Catholic Democrats who wonder how their co-religionists could possibly choose a Republican candidate, and there are ardently Catholic Republicans who express precisely the opposite opinion. And both sides, typically, look with eagerness to their bishops and priests to resolve the tension. Each presidential election cycle, the Church endeavors to clarify the issue, usually to the satisfaction of very few. However, under the rubric of “once more unto the breach, dear friends,” let me try to provide some direction by articulating four basic principles. First, Catholic social teaching clearly goes beyond the split between Republican and Democrat, between liberal and conservative, and therefore corresponds perfectly with neither political camp. Anyone who says that either of our political parties perfectly, or even adequately, represents Catholic social thought is simply misinformed. Broadly speaking, the Democratic Party advocates…