Comments for Justice & Peace – and the Financial Crisis at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 11 out of 11 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Fri, 24 May 2013 15:16:54 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8795 I am wondering whether each document put forth by an entity such as a Pontifical Council should be required to have a disclaimer at the end of the document. This would make clear to what extent, if any, the document is binding on Catholics. Along the same thought line, when a bishop urges political action on the part of Catholics in his diocese, for example passage of The Dream Act, I believe that "Prudential Judgement" should be defined and explained how that relates to the action for which the bishop is calling. - Dennis O'Donovan Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:08:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8793 To David: Re: "The Pontifical Academy shines a light on the tremendous lack of justice and fairness of the dominant global institutions." Here's the problem David: what Card. Turkson et all propose is insanity. They insist that the solution to "the lack of justice and fairness of the dominant global institutions" is another dominant global institution. "A Commentator" and Graham have it right. - Chris in Maryland Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:40 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8783 I read the 'Towards Reforming...' statement. I had assumed that most of the commentators panning and celebrating it were getting a little excited about some language they which did or didn't support whatever agendas the commentators usually support. I was surprised at how low quality it was and how little theological content it contained. For those that haven't read it, it starts out ok but soon gets to the bit about the world financial authority and goes down from there. The world financial authority part doesn't read like a document written by theologically minded people - it reads like a manifesto written by a college professor who sees all problems in the world being fixed if we 'just' undertake his rather eccentric solution. While the document claims to respect subsidiarity and disclaims particular political solutions, its obvious in the context of the documents that these disclaimers mean that 'the little people get to figure out the tiny details of my bigthink specific political solution.' Cardinal Turkson got rolled. - Ben Horvath Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:49:32 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8778 I'm surprised that no one recalled that it was Cardinal Turkson who was sent to the United States a year or so ago to inquire as to why so many American Catholics are wary of the rhetoric of "social justice." I'm afraid it sounds as if his eminence either did not listen or dismissed our reservations. I find it hard to believe that the Holy Father who is intimately acquainted with abuse of power on a grand scale in National Socialist Germany would not have his own questions about the pontifical council's recommendations. Every once in a while I make the mistake of raising the idea -- with Catholics and non-Catholics -- of the freedom of the church basement. The AA or Knights of Columbus did not arise in Russia or Germany or China and for a very good reason. One could also compare these countries unfavorably to England and its Boy Scouts and Salvation Army among other up from the congregation civic/religious organizations. A civic culture from streets and parishes and villages would not be tolerated. Men would be sent around, doors would be knocked, questions would be asked. Developments would be stopped. (Then there's Hewlitt-Packard or Apple and the freedom of the suburban garage -- a freedom Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook finds "chauvinist.") In Praise of the Church Basement invariably evokes boredom or blank looks. Of course most people under 30 have been trained to suspect the Church (and when necessary report her to the authorities in the faculty lounge, personnel dept., or local civil rights organization.) And yet even Occupy the Sleeping Bag enjoys just such freedoms (regardless of where the money comes from). One hates to sound chauvinist but there does seem to be something about the English-speaking world (at least until now) that promotes Burke's "little platoons." Yet one could also note all those religious orders and their works in Italy as well. Don Bosco comes to mind. Catholic entrepreneurialism at its finest. But Cardinal Turkson's world view seems to be more prominent despite growing evidence to contradict it. I can only think of those misquided clerics at St. Paul's in London deferring to children. Out of the mouth of babes, mostly babytalk. Anglicanism has an excuse; it's only 500 years old. But the Church... Mr. Marlin's list of writers and thinkers could have drawn on over 2,000-years of wisdom wrought from struggle and faith. - Graham Combs Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:21:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8775 This "Council" should be given as much credence as would be a statement of the Chamber of Commerce concerning the orthodoxy of the Albigenses. - A commentator Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:02:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8774 The statement by the "Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace" was incompetent, and shows a preference for relying on incompetent agencies, not because they are incompetent, but because these centralizing agencies permit tinkerers to tinker. Disband and re-assign the "Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace," ASAP. - Chris in Maryland Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:24:03 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8772 Mr. Peterson, Your comment presumes a great many things as fact that were not so much as hinted at in Mr. Marlin's essay. In point of fact, a careful reading of what he is saying flatly contradicts your assertion that "these matters must always be left to 'experts' like the IMF, World Bank, G8 and the many Wall St. gurus." Rather, his comments suggest that the "Wall St. gurus," the G8 and the World Bank share some of the blame for the current economic problems. I very sincerely doubt that Mr. Marlin would have much positive to say about those parties. It makes one wonder if you actually read the whole article. Pax et bonum, Keith Töpfer - Martial Artist Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:04:25 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8771 This comment’s arrogant and cynical dismissal of the PCPJ is very disappointing. It might be a much better fit on a website called the Wall St-Thing. As a Catholic, I view the Vatican initiative (while not a panacea) as a very positive and hopeful development. Many of the responses lack charity and vision. Certain pundits and prominent Catholic Think Tanks are reviving an old theme which goes: “The Vatican can not be trusted, and should not be suggesting solutions and economic proposal. This is because (they contend) the ‘unscientific” and unsophisticated popes (like John Paul and Benedict) have little or no knowledge about “REAL ECONOMICS.” It appears they believe these matters must always be left to “experts” like the IMF, World Bank, G8 and the many Wall St. gurus. The document presents one of the best analyses of the world financial crisis, with insights that have escaped the Wall St. journal and the American left/right media elite. The Pontifical Academy shines a light on the tremendous lack of justice and fairness of the dominant global institutions. In addition, many well informed scholars agree that the creation of the Breton Woods system, despite its faults, did a commendable job in the decades immediately after WW II. - David J. Peterson Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:31:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8770 This is possibly the the most accurate take on this travesty I have read since its publication. I believe the Peace and Justice crowd have failed to recognize and respond to the concept of moral hazard in promulgating something as evil, as truly oppressive in nature as a worldwide financial council. The Halloween release date must not be coincidental for it surely is a hobgoblin. - Alecto Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:19:39 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8767 What would lead anyone to believe that such a world financial body would not almost immediately become an implacable enemy of the Church? - Brian English Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:09:55 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/justice-a-peace-and-the-financial-crisis.html#comment-8766 Spot on Mr. Marlin. I hope your piece is read far and wide, hear and abroad. - Ray Hunkins Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:22:44 +0100