Page 10 - Reflexions of African Bishops and Priests

monetary mechanisms” and to the fact that “man
cannot become the slave of economic systems.”
On the occasion of the 6th United Nations Con-
ference on Trade and Development, on September
26, 1985, Pope St. John Paul II said:
“Again, I want to tackle a very delicate and
painful issue. I mean the torment of the represent-
atives of several countries, who no longer know
how to face the fearful problem of indebtedness. A
structural reform of the world financial system is,
without doubt, one of the initiatives that seem the
most urgent and necessary.”
The Church has given us the moral foundation
and principles upon which all financial and eco-
nomic systems must be evaluated. According to the
Second Vatican Council, the laity is called to renew
the temporal order, bringing it in line with God’s Every day, over 40,000 children die of hunger
plan. We are called to develop concrete solutions to or disease simply because of a lack of money.
establish an economic system that is faithful to the
Gospel teachings and to the principles of the Social basis for the Church’s condemnation of capitalism?
Doctrine of the Church. Is capitalism not better than communism?
Social Credit Yes to Capitalism, After it is Rectified
For this reason, Louis Even undertook to spread The Church does not condemn capitalism, per
the Social Credit doctrine, a set of principles that se. On the contrary, the Church wishes that pri-
were first articulated by Scottish engineer, Clifford vate property and free enterprise were universally
Hugh Douglas, in 1918. “Social Credit” means social instituted so that everyone might become the true
money, issued by society, versus “bank credit”, the owners of capital and be true “capitalists”. Pope
money issued by the private banking system. When St. John, XXIII, in the encyclical, Mater et Magis-
Louis Even first encountered Social Credit in 1935, tra (“Mother and Teacher”, May 15, 1961, nn. 114-
he at once understood how its principles embodied 115.), said:
Church teachings on social justice. Undoubtedly, “The dignity of the human person necessarily
the intentions of the pontiffs addressing economic requires the right of using external goods in order
and financial matters would be met in Social Credit. to live according to the right norm of nature. And
No to Communism to this right corresponds a most serious obligation
which requires that, so far as possible, there be
The Social Doctrine of the Church, confined to given to all an opportunity of possessing private
the realm of principles, stands above existing eco- property... Therefore, it is necessary to modify eco-
nomic systems. An economic system can only be nomic and social life so that the way is made easier
‘good’ to the extent that it applies the principles for widespread private possession of such things
of justice taught by the Church. This is why Pope as durable goods, homes, gardens, tools requisite
St. John Paul II wrote in his encyclical, Sollicitudo for artisan enterprises and family-type farms, in-
Rei Socialis (“The Social Concern”, December 30, vestments in enterprises of medium or large size.”
1987.):
“The tension between East and West is an op- Capitalism has Been Vitiated
position... between two concepts of the develop- by the Financial System
ment of individuals and peoples, both concepts The Church finds no fault with private prop-
being imperfect and in need of radical correction... erty or with free enterprise. Rather, the fault rests
This is one of the reasons why the Church’s social in the present financial system. This system dom-
doctrine adopts a critical attitude towards both inates the human person rather than serving, and,
liberal capitalism and Marxist collectivism.” in fact, subverts capitalism. Pope Pius XI wrote in
It is understandable why the Church condemns Quadragesimo Anno: “Capitalism itself is not to be
communism and Marxist collectivism with its goals condemned. And surely it is not vicious of its very
of destroying private property, the family and reli- nature, but it has been vitiated.”
gion. Pope Pius XI called this political ideology an- What the Church condemns is the financial sys-
ti-Christian and “intrinsically evil”. But what is the tem, not capitalism. Pope Paul VI explained the u

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