29 September 2015

Pope Francis United States Tour – 2015 Sep




Pope Speech to the US Congress 

A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system. 

We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today's many geopolitical and economic crises.  

If politics must truly be at the service of the human person, it follows that it cannot be a slave to the economy and finance. 

In times of crisis and economic hardship a spirit of global solidarity must not be lost.  

The right use of natural resources, the proper application of technology and the harnessing of the spirit of enterprise are essential elements of an economy which seeks to be modern, inclusive and sustainable.

Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood.  

Pope Speech to the UN 

The need for greater equity is especially true in the case of economic crises. This will help limit every kind of abuse or usury, especially where developing countries are concerned.

Economic and social exclusion is a complete denial of human fraternity and a grave offense against human rights and the environment. Put an end as quickly as possible to the phenomenon of social and economic exclusion, with its baneful consequences: human trafficking, the marketing of human organs and tissues, the sexual exploitation of boys and girls, slave labor, including prostitution, the drug and weapons trade, terrorism and international organized crime. We need to ensure that our institutions are truly effective in the struggle against all these scourges. 

It must never be forgotten that political and economic activity is only effective when it is understood as a prudential activity, guided by a perennial concept of justice and constantly conscious of the fact that we are dealing with real men and women who live, struggle and suffer, and are often forced to live in great poverty, deprived of all rights.

The baneful consequences of an irresponsible mismanagement of the global economy, guided only by ambition for wealth and power, must serve as a summons to a forthright reflection on man.

War is the negation of all rights and a dramatic assault on the environment.  

Pope Speech to Bishops 

Business is no longer conducted on the basis of trust; others can no longer be trusted. There are no longer close personal relationships. Today’s culture seems to encourage people not to bond with anything or anyone, not to trust. The most important thing nowadays seems to be follow the latest trend or activity. Consumption seems to determine what is important. Consuming relationships, consuming friendships, consuming religions, consuming, consuming… Whatever the cost or consequences. A consumption which does not favor bonding, a consumption which has little to do with human relationships. 

The result is a culture which discards everything that is no longer “useful” or “satisfying” for the tastes of the consumer. We have turned our society into a huge multicultural showcase tied only to the tastes of certain “consumers”, while so many others only “eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (Mt 15:27).
 
 
 

 

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