One World Bank? Oh No.....Jack Chick Was Right After All?
Did the pope really say we should have one world bank? Actually no he didn't. A pontifical council in the Vatican just released a document making suggestions to implement a system of central authority to ameliorate the financial problems we are currently experiencing due to the unchecked greed that unbridled capitalism has resulted in. There is actually a chance that Pope Benedict never signed off on this document. Before all the anti-Catholics take this and run with it (Chick tracts in hand) I suggest reading this article by Tom Peters at Catholic Vote blog.
I wish that the press would be equally quick to publish the Church's teachings on faith and morals which are infallible vs their comments on social and political issues (which are "prudential", not infallible).
From Catholic News Agency:
"At a news conference Oct. 24, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, emphasized that the document was "not an expression of papal magisterium," but instead was an "authoritative note of a Vatican agency," the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. In that sense, he said, it would not be correct to report that "Pope Benedict says" what's in the document, he said."
I wish that the press would be equally quick to publish the Church's teachings on faith and morals which are infallible vs their comments on social and political issues (which are "prudential", not infallible).
From Catholic News Agency:
"At a news conference Oct. 24, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, emphasized that the document was "not an expression of papal magisterium," but instead was an "authoritative note of a Vatican agency," the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. In that sense, he said, it would not be correct to report that "Pope Benedict says" what's in the document, he said."
posted by Russ Rentler, M.D. | 7:01 PM
2 Comments:
Unfortunately, this is an "authoritative" Vatican announcement. Yes, the Pope is not directly linked but he is indirectly.
I am quite shocked when reading its content. Maybe those nutty Sedevacatists like Gerry Matatics have a point?
T
What does authoritative mean? It means it carries the full weight and authority of the Justice and Peace Pontifical Council. Which doesn't give it any magisterial authority nor is it implied that the pope Benedict had anything to do with it.
The sedevacantists have removed themselves form the Catholic Church because they feel they know more than the pope does regarding what it means to be Catholic. When I converted to Catholicism, I stopped trying to be my own pope and said "Jesus if I believe you started this Church, I am sticking with it." Either you believe this is the Church Jesus started or you go the route of sedes and protestants who ultimately at the end of the day, have made themselves their own pope. I have been there and done that. I choose to throw my lot with this Church despite left leaning pontifical councils, weak bishops and a small percentage of abusive priests and religious.
The Church is full of wheat and tares but Christ promises to lead it in all truth when it comes to faith and morals and we have a 2000 year track record of that being the case. But regarding, science, sports, world finance, politics, music etc I wouldn't bail just because a Vatican council puts out a bone-headed paper, well-meaning but probably not a good idea. The Church should speak out on the injustice of the financial markets, but making suggestions how to remedy that may not be the best idea, especially when the remedy that was called for recently goes diametrically opposite to the concept of subsidiarity which the Church has spoken about frequently in the past.
So I really don't see the connection you are making with sedevacantism (believing the recent popes are imposters) and a non-magisterial document released by a council that is not directly overseen by the pope. Even if it was signed by the pope, he is allowed by the Holy Spirit to make fallible statements on politics, sports, music, weather, stocks etc.
Don't be shocked, popes and coucils have done worse than this and the Church still has made it through :)
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