YOUCAT Lesson 442
YOUCAT the catechism
for Catholic youth
442 What is the Church’s
stance on capitalism or the free-market economy?
Any form of capitalism that is not embedded in an
established system of law runs the risk of detaching itself from the common
good and becoming a mere means for individuals to make profits. The Church rejects that decisively. On the other hand, she supports a free-market
system which is at the service of man, prevents monopolies, and ensures that
all are supplied with employment and vitally necessary goods. [2426]
The Animas River between Silverton and Durango within
24 hours of the spill. The river turned yellow from the oxidation of
dissolved iron in the escaped waste water...... 442
Catholic social teaching evaluates all societal arrangements
according to whether they serve the common good, which means: to the extent
that they enable “men, families, and associations more adequately and readily
(to) attain their own perfection.” (Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes). This is also true of commerce, which in the
first place should be at the service of man.
“Capitalism without
humanity, solidarity, and justice has no morals and no future either.” Reinhard Cardinal Marx (b. 1953; Archbishop
of Munich and Freising)
“Locating resources, financing, production, consumption, and
all the other phases in the economic cycle inevitably have moral
implications. Thus every economic
decision has a moral consequence.” Pope
Benedict XVI, CiV
[2426]
IV. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
2426 The development of economic activity and
growth in production are meant to provide for the needs of human beings.
Economic life is not meant solely to multiply goods produced and increase
profit or power; it is ordered first of all to the service of persons, of the
whole man, and of the entire human community. Economic activity, conducted
according to its own proper methods, is to be exercised within the limits of
the moral order, in keeping with social justice so as to correspond to God's
plan for man. --Catechism of the
Catholic Church, Second Editition
No comments:
Post a Comment