Reuters  |  By Naomi O'Leary Posted: 11/26/2013 | Huffington Post

(Reuters) - Pope Francis called for renewal of the Roman Catholic Church and attacked unfettered capitalism as "a new tyranny", urging global leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality in the first major work he has authored alone as pontiff.

The 84-page document, known as an apostolic exhortation, amounted to an official platform for his papacy, building on views he has aired in sermons and remarks since he became the first non-European pontiff in 1,300 years in March.

In it, Francis went further than previous comments criticizing the global economic system, attacking the "idolatry of money" and beseeching politicians to guarantee all citizens "dignified work, education and healthcare".

He also called on rich people to share their wealth. "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 on Tuesday.

"How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?"

The pope said renewal of the Church could not be put off and said the Vatican and its entrenched hierarchy "also need to hear the call to pastoral conversion".

"I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security," he wrote.

In July, Francis finished an encyclical begun by Pope Benedict but he made clear that it was largely the work of his predecessor, who resigned in February.

Called "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel), the exhortation is presented in Francis' simple and warm preaching style, distinct from the more academic writings of former popes, and stresses the Church's central mission of preaching "the beauty of the saving love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ".

In it, he reiterated earlier statements that the Church cannot ordain women or accept abortion. The male-only priesthood, he said, "is not a question open to discussion" but women must have more influence in Church leadership.

POVERTY

A meditation on how to revitalize a Church suffering from encroaching secularization in Western countries, the exhortation echoed the missionary zeal more often heard from the evangelical Protestants who have won over many disaffected Catholics in the pope's native Latin America.

In it, economic inequality features as one of the issues Francis is most concerned about, and the 76-year-old pontiff calls for an overhaul of the financial system and warns that unequal distribution of wealth inevitably leads to violence.

"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.

Denying this was simple populism, he called for action "beyond a simple welfare mentality" and added: "I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor."

Since his election, Francis has set an example for austerity in the Church, living in a Vatican guest house rather than the ornate Apostolic Palace, travelling in a Ford Focus, and last month suspending a bishop who spent millions of euros on his luxurious residence.

He chose to be called "Francis" after the medieval Italian saint of the same name famed for choosing a life of poverty.

Stressing cooperation among religions, Francis quoted the late Pope John Paul II's idea that the papacy might be reshaped to promote closer ties with other Christian churches and noted lessons Rome could learn from the Orthodox such as "synodality" or decentralized leadership.

He praised cooperation with Jews and Muslims and urged Islamic countries to guarantee their Christian minorities the same religious freedom as Muslims enjoy in the West.

(Editing by Tom Heneghan and Alison Williams)

Views: 41

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Bookmark and Share

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Kev Choice
Friday, June 14 @ Yoshi's, Oakland

YG
Saturday, July 6 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Hiatus Kaiyote
Saturday, July 20 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

PJ Morton
Wedneday, Oct 23 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Groups

Latest Activity

DJ SEP posted an event
Thumbnail

Ryan The Operator & Jah Cuzzi, plus DJ Sep at Dahlia Lounge at Dahlia Lounge

June 23, 2024 from 8pm to 11:45pm
Tribe Divine presents reggae in the Mission with Ryan The Operator & Jah Cuzzi (live/8 pm), followed by my set (10-midnight) at Dahlia Lounge (1799 Mission Street, San Francisco) / 21+ / Free See More
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
MJ Savino posted a blog post

Hip Hop Group Undeniably Genuine (UNG) Unveil 'Heart Of The City' Mixtape x The Real DJ Spins

Louisiana's fan favorite Hip Hop duo Undeniably Genuine announce the release of their new project 'Heart Of The City.' The 10-track mixtape comes with production by The Real DJ Spins and features Scraplron and BFMG. The duo offers listeners a chronicle of their resilience, unity, and unyielding authentic in the face of adversity. Stream 'Heart Of The City' mixtape and…See More
yesterday
K C is attending Editor's Pick's event
Thumbnail

YG (WIN TICKETS) at Fox Theater, Oakland

July 6, 2024 from 7pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. SATURDAY, JULY 6The JUST RE'D UP TourYGDoe BoyDJ Vision@ Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., OaklandDoors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM…See More
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted videos
Friday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

The 20th Emerald Cup Festival ft. Mistah F.A.B., The Grouch & Eligh, Los Rakas, Femme Deadly Venoms and many more! at Henry J Kaiser Center for The Arts, Oakland, CA

August 17, 2024 at 11am to August 18, 2024 at 10pm
Sat Aug 17th & Sun Aug 18th, 2024 20TH EMERALD CUP FESTIVAL One of the largest and most prestigious cannabis competitions in the world and California’s premier consumer cannabis culture event. Taking root in Oakland: Emerald Cup’s 20th anniversary festival site spans across the historic and newly renovated Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts at Lake Merritt, Oakland…See More
Friday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

TwoRStarr: Rising Hip-Hop Phenom Drops Explosive Summer Anthem "WTM (Where The Money)"

Heating Up the Summer SceneAs the summer hits its peak, a new anthem emerges from the vibrant and competitive world of hip-hop. TwoRStarr, the dynamic artist hailing from Philly's south side, has just dropped her latest single, "WTM (Where The Money)," and it's set to ignite dance floors and playlists across the nation. With this infectious track, TwoRStarr is poised to take her place as the next big female hip-hop star.Bold and Unapologetic"WTM" is a powerful declaration of financial…See More
Friday
MJ Savino posted a blog post

Buffalo Rapper Saint Soprano Serves As The Black Connoisseur In "What's That Aroma" (With Awards Voting)

Buffalo rapper & Black Forbes Entertainment CEO, Saint Soprano, unveils his latest video "What's That Aroma" produced by DJ Cash (EPMD Manager). The single is taken from Soprano's forthcoming album titled 'Don't Forget To Hustle." The indie artist is also nominated for several awards for this year's 716 Music Awards, cast votes below. Soprano, or coined as The Pot…See More
Thursday
An event by Editor's Pick was featured
Thumbnail

The 20th Emerald Cup Festival ft. Mistah F.A.B., The Grouch & Eligh, Los Rakas, Femme Deadly Venoms and many more! at Henry J Kaiser Center for The Arts, Oakland, CA

August 17, 2024 at 11am to August 18, 2024 at 10pm
Sat Aug 17th & Sun Aug 18th, 2024 20TH EMERALD CUP FESTIVAL One of the largest and most prestigious cannabis competitions in the world and California’s premier consumer cannabis culture event. Taking root in Oakland: Emerald Cup’s 20th anniversary festival site spans across the historic and newly renovated Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts at Lake Merritt, Oakland…See More
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted an event
Thumbnail

The 20th Emerald Cup Festival ft. Mistah F.A.B., The Grouch & Eligh, Los Rakas, Femme Deadly Venoms and many more! at Henry J Kaiser Center for The Arts, Oakland, CA

August 17, 2024 at 11am to August 18, 2024 at 10pm
Sat Aug 17th & Sun Aug 18th, 2024 20TH EMERALD CUP FESTIVAL One of the largest and most prestigious cannabis competitions in the world and California’s premier consumer cannabis culture event. Taking root in Oakland: Emerald Cup’s 20th anniversary festival site spans across the historic and newly renovated Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts at Lake Merritt, Oakland…See More
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Wednesday

© 2024   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service