There will be NO Peace Without Justice!
Pope Slams Capitalism as
‘New Tyranny’
“Not to share wealth with poor
is to steal.”
Pope Francis, who has spoken out strongly against war, is now taking aim at capitalism urging world leaders to step up their efforts against poverty and inequality.
“A new tyranny is thus born, invisible and often virtual, which unilaterally and relentlessly imposes its own laws and rules,” the 84-page document, said. “To all this we can add widespread corruption and self-serving tax evasion, which has taken on worldwide dimensions. The thirst for power and possessions knows no limits… The culture of prosperity deadens us…” the pope’s document says.
He goes on to explain that in this system, which tends to devour everything which stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenseless before the interests of a deified market, which has become the only rule we live by.
Shameful Wealth!
Inequality between the rich and the poor has reached a new threshold, and in his apostolic exhortation to mark the end of the “Year of Faith”, Pope Francis asks for better politicians to heal the scars capitalism made on society.
“Just as the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’ sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills,” Francis wrote in the document issued Tuesday. His calls to service go beyond general good Samaritan deeds, as he asks his followers for action “beyond a simple welfare mentality”.
A recent IRS report shows that the wealth of the US’s richest 1 percent has grown by 31 percent, while the rest of the population experienced an income rise of only 1 percent.
“As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation, and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems,” he wrote.
Pope Francis says the growing inequality and trickle-down economics of “the socioeconomic system is unjust at its root,” and thus spawns violence. “Until exclusion and inequality in society and between peoples is reversed, it will be impossible to eliminate violence,” he wrote. Security is impossible in a state with rampant inequality, and cannot be provided through the surveillance state or militarism, he continued.” For more on the Pope message, see http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/11/26-9 and http://rt.com/news/pope-francis-capitalism-tyranny-324/
If You Want Peace, Work for Justice!
1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@malu-aina.org http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (November 29, 2013– 636th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
