It's About Morals, Not Dollars, Says Vatican Aide
Urges a Broader Look at Economic Crisis
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- For a problem that is not exclusively financial, there needs to be a solution that is not exclusively financial, a Vatican representative is recalling.
Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said this on Vatican Radio when he discussed the ongoing worldwide economic crisis.
"The crisis that the world is currently living is not just financial, and therefore the solution cannot be purely financial," he said. Instead, the economic crisis "verifies what the Church's social doctrine has said for a long time: When an economic-financial system goes into crisis, it is never due to economic of financial motives, but because in its origin, there has been a wound in the global moral system."
In this sense, the prelate indicated that at the origin, there is a "crisis of trust."
"Everyone is speaking of it, of again establishing mutual trust so as to resolve the crisis," he said. But trust "is not an economic or financial element, but rather an ethical attitude.
"When the market erodes this ethical attitude, all of us know that it is no longer in a state of being reconstructed by itself."
The Vatican official contended that three elements are key for bettering the situation: "the market, on one side, the state on the other, and also civil society. And this, precisely to respond to those demands and inspirations that come from the principle of subsidiarity."
According to the social doctrine of the Church, Bishop Crepaldi continued, "it is necessary to look with more wisdom at the market and the role that it can have."
"We would not have gotten to where we are now if we would have treated the market as a means and not an end," he affirmed.
Finally, the prelate made a call to the G-20 nations who will meet Saturday, urging them to work in accord with the resolutions from the Doha conference.
"The fear is that the current financial crisis undermines the work and commitments made by the nations and the international community to finance development," he said. Instead, the bishop expressed his hope that the G-20 nations will "confirm [aid for poor countries] and take this on with a greater sense of responsibility."
Internet Site Promotes Dating Service for Married People
Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said this on Vatican Radio when he discussed the ongoing worldwide economic crisis.
"The crisis that the world is currently living is not just financial, and therefore the solution cannot be purely financial," he said. Instead, the economic crisis "verifies what the Church's social doctrine has said for a long time: When an economic-financial system goes into crisis, it is never due to economic of financial motives, but because in its origin, there has been a wound in the global moral system."
In this sense, the prelate indicated that at the origin, there is a "crisis of trust."
"Everyone is speaking of it, of again establishing mutual trust so as to resolve the crisis," he said. But trust "is not an economic or financial element, but rather an ethical attitude.
"When the market erodes this ethical attitude, all of us know that it is no longer in a state of being reconstructed by itself."
The Vatican official contended that three elements are key for bettering the situation: "the market, on one side, the state on the other, and also civil society. And this, precisely to respond to those demands and inspirations that come from the principle of subsidiarity."
According to the social doctrine of the Church, Bishop Crepaldi continued, "it is necessary to look with more wisdom at the market and the role that it can have."
"We would not have gotten to where we are now if we would have treated the market as a means and not an end," he affirmed.
Finally, the prelate made a call to the G-20 nations who will meet Saturday, urging them to work in accord with the resolutions from the Doha conference.
"The fear is that the current financial crisis undermines the work and commitments made by the nations and the international community to finance development," he said. Instead, the bishop expressed his hope that the G-20 nations will "confirm [aid for poor countries] and take this on with a greater sense of responsibility."
Bishops Speak Out Against Adultery Ads
Internet Site Promotes Dating Service for Married People
BOSTON, Massachusetts, NOV. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Massachusetts are defending the institution of marriage in the face of advertising in the state that promotes adultery.
The bishops said they were "compelled to speak in support of marriage" after seeing advertisements of an Internet dating site for married people looking for adulterous relationships.
The statement was published today and signed by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston, Bishop Timothy McDonnell of Springfield, Bishop George Coleman of Fall River and Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester.
"This wrongful enterprise threatens not only the oldest and most foundational of human institutions but also the common good of all," the bishops said. "Marriage requires honesty, loyalty, trust, self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, respect, and commitment.
"Marriage is a vocation that benefits all of society by building and strengthening human relationships within the family home and beyond with relatives, neighbors and one’s community. Marriage is the basis for the family, the fundamental human society. A healthy committed marriage helps to insure the well-being of children, create social stability and improve the quality of life for all citizens."
The prelates said the advertising "will not benefit families and the ads send the wrong message to our young."
"The ad campaign will further erode the unique and important role that marriage has in contributing to the common good," they said. "Where marriage is weakened the social cost is enormous."
Commending the media outlets that refused the ads, the bishops asked more to do the same.
"We honor and support those couples who have committed themselves to each other in the vocation of marriage," they added, "and offer prayers that they remain strong in the face of increasing social pressures to abandon their promise of fidelity."
The bishops said they were "compelled to speak in support of marriage" after seeing advertisements of an Internet dating site for married people looking for adulterous relationships.
The statement was published today and signed by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston, Bishop Timothy McDonnell of Springfield, Bishop George Coleman of Fall River and Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester.
"This wrongful enterprise threatens not only the oldest and most foundational of human institutions but also the common good of all," the bishops said. "Marriage requires honesty, loyalty, trust, self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, respect, and commitment.
"Marriage is a vocation that benefits all of society by building and strengthening human relationships within the family home and beyond with relatives, neighbors and one’s community. Marriage is the basis for the family, the fundamental human society. A healthy committed marriage helps to insure the well-being of children, create social stability and improve the quality of life for all citizens."
The prelates said the advertising "will not benefit families and the ads send the wrong message to our young."
"The ad campaign will further erode the unique and important role that marriage has in contributing to the common good," they said. "Where marriage is weakened the social cost is enormous."
Commending the media outlets that refused the ads, the bishops asked more to do the same.
"We honor and support those couples who have committed themselves to each other in the vocation of marriage," they added, "and offer prayers that they remain strong in the face of increasing social pressures to abandon their promise of fidelity."
