Quote:

Pope Slams Capitalism, Inequality Between Rich And Poor In New Years Message The 85-year-old pope rang in the new year with a mass for about 10,000 people in St Peter's Basilica on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks its World Day of Peace with initiatives around the world. He also spoke of peace after the mass, addressing tens of thousands of people who had followed the service from outside in St Peter's Square. "A new year is like a trip. With the light and the grace of God, may it be the start of a path to peace for every person, every family, every country and for the entire world," he said from his window overlooking the square. He thanked the world's peacemakers, saying they deserve praise for working, often behind the scenes, tirelessly, thanklessly and armed only "with the weapons of prayer and forgiveness". Peace marchers carrying rainbow banners released blue balloons in a sunny but cold St Peter's Square as the pope spoke. Earlier in his homily, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics decried "hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor". He also denounced "the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated capitalism, various forms of terrorism and criminality". Benedict said he was convinced of "humanity's innate vocation to peace" despite many problems and setbacks. A personal relationship with God can help all believers deal with what he called the "darkness and anguish" that sometimes defines human existence. "This is the inner peace that we want in the midst of events in history that are sometimes tumultuous and confused, events that sometimes leave us shaken," he said. In his full message for the peace day, the pope called for a new economic model and ethical regulations for markets, saying the global financial crisis was proof that capitalism does not protect society's weakest members. He also warned that food insecurity was a threat to peace in some parts of the world and strongly reaffirmed the Church's opposition to gay marriage. Heterosexual marriage had an indispensable role in society, he said. Thousands of people took part in a peace march to the Vatican led by the Catholic peace and charity group, the Sant' Egidio Community, which negotiated the end of the civil war in Mozambique in 1992. Other peace marches took place in Italian cities, and Catholic dioceses around the world held their own events. (Editing by Angus MacSwan) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/01/pope-slams-capitalism-ine_n_2392653.html

:)

is he going to stop passing the plate around in churches then???.. now that would be a grand start.

Perhaps the church should pay tax then???

:-? :-? :-?

did he announce this on twitter

Good on him. Although a better title would have been pope slams unregulated capitalism and the exploitation of the poor.

I hope Tony was listening. Chances are he only heard the bit about gay marriages.

Lol...why should the church pay for middle class welfare with tax...as long as they serve the poor the catholic church should be tax free...the Evangelical church however is a for profit organization and should be taxed.... :)

Of course he does ... the Roman Catholic CHurch is the most communist organisation in the world ...


by the way did the pope also mention that the church ownes (and rents out) all the most valuble property in Rome (and around the world)? Isn't that also capitalsim?

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 8:59pm:

Perhaps the church should pay tax then??? :-? :-? :-?

not a bad idea what about rates they usually have the most prestigious of land..

they always cry poor though dont they?


I remember seeing how the catholic church treated poor people in Ireland.and I am now reading a book on how it was in Ireland before WW11... and it was pretty bad then..poor people walking  miles and miles to knock on the doors of convents..to beg for food.. and being sent away by cranky nuns..even children were turned away without a crust..shame on them

cods wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 9:47pm:

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 8:59pm: Perhaps the church should pay tax then??? :-? :-? :-? not a bad idea what about rates they usually have the most prestigious of land.. they always cry poor though dont they? I remember seeing how the catholic church treated poor people in Ireland.and I am now reading a book on how it was in Ireland before WW11... and it was pretty bad then..poor people walking  miles and miles to knock on the doors of convents..to beg for food.. and being sent away by cranky nuns..even children were turned away without a crust..shame on them

Hello Cods....Not often we agree but on this occasion we both accept the church needs to lift its game.....Seams to be a bit of a diversion by the Pope from other things I think???

;) ;) ;)

The Catholic church are coming on board to stop the capitalist victimization of the poor.,..we need to bring charges of crimes against humanity against the Australian Government which will never cease the apologies it must make for its atrocities.... :)

John Smith wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 9:15pm:

Of course he does ... the Roman Catholic CHurch is the most communist organisation in the world ... by the way did the pope also mention that the church ownes (and rents out) all the most valuble property in Rome (and around the world)? Isn't that also capitalsim?

I am Catholic and am not a Communist.

I am pretty disaffected with the Pope though. I don't really follow him, or Priests for that matter. I follow my religion, but I don't need the advice of mortals to do so. The Pope and Priests are no less of sinners than I am.

Jesus Christ is my King, role model and Saviour.

matty wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:06pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 9:15pm: Of course he does ... the Roman Catholic CHurch is the most communist organisation in the world ... by the way did the pope also mention that the church ownes (and rents out) all the most valuble property in Rome (and around the world)? Isn't that also capitalsim? I am Catholic and am not a Communist. I am pretty disaffected with the Pope though. I don't really follow him, or Priests for that matter. I follow my religion, but I don't need the advice of mortals to do so. The Pope and Priests are no less of sinners than I am. Jesus Christ is my King, role model and Saviour.

Isn't Abbott you king, role model and saviour

Shouldn't this be in religion area? Oh yeah there isnt one!

Meanwhile capitalism and communism have the same end result.

SOB

matty wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:06pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 9:15pm: Of course he does ... the Roman Catholic CHurch is the most communist organisation in the world ... by the way did the pope also mention that the church ownes (and rents out) all the most valuble property in Rome (and around the world)? Isn't that also capitalsim? I am Catholic and am not a Communist. I am pretty disaffected with the Pope though. I don't really follow him, or Priests for that matter. I follow my religion, but I don't need the advice of mortals to do so. The Pope and Priests are no less of sinners than I am. Jesus Christ is my King, role model and Saviour.

I would have thought you were more a goat.

Do as we say, not as we do.



Economic Report of the Holy See for 2000


In 2001, it would be a lot more today. An increase of $17 billion per year.

Interestingly there was no mention of giving, only receiving.

Matty, you might like to consider this information next time they pass the plate around.
.................................................

Total income 422.098 billion

(increased by 64 billion from previous fiscal year)



number of our employees (in 2000) was approximately 2,700

(an increase @ 70 persons.)

Financial Activity.

In this sector are included the financial activities of the seven consolidated administrations, of which the largest is APSA Ordinary Section. We have been fortunate, in that the net result of this sector closed with a gain of 125.184 billion, higher by approximately 38 billion than that of 1999.


Real Estate

3) The real estate sector in fiscal year 2000 shows expenses of 51.852 billion and income of 81.749 billion, thus closing with a gain of 29.887 billion, higher by roughly 11 billion than that of 1999, because of fewer expenditures for maintenance and repairs effectuated before the Jubilee year.

Stock Market.................lol!!!


“We have been fortunate, in that the net result of this sector closed with a gain of 125.184 billion, higher by approximately 38 billion than that of 1999. This brilliant result is substantially due to three factors: the appreciation of the dollar, which increased in value for almost the whole year, with a slight drop in the final months; the performance of the financial markets, in which bonds gave good results in contrast to stocks with regard to the sector of the "new economy"…”


http://www.zenit.org/article-1900?l=english

matty wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:06pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 9:15pm: Of course he does ... the Roman Catholic CHurch is the most communist organisation in the world ... by the way did the pope also mention that the church ownes (and rents out) all the most valuble property in Rome (and around the world)? Isn't that also capitalsim? I am Catholic and am not a Communist. I am pretty disaffected with the Pope though. I don't really follow him, or Priests for that matter. I follow my religion, but I don't need the advice of mortals to do so. The Pope and Priests are no less of sinners than I am. Jesus Christ is my King, role model and Saviour.

and the fact that you are catholic proves what exactly? I've got news for you dopey ... I'm Catholic

I wasn't talking about the churchs followers being communist you fool .... The churchs heirarchy, the way it's structured is (in my opinion) similar to any other communist organisation out there ....

corporate_whitey wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 9:09pm:

Lol...why should the church pay for middle class welfare with tax...as long as they serve the poor the catholic church should be tax free...the Evangelical church however is a for profit organization and should be taxed.... :)

Yeh, why not.... BUT THEY DON'T SERVE THE POOR IS THE POINT!