Customer Reviews

Charity in Truth: Caritas in Veritate

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the first papal encyclical eighteen years that addresses social teaching of the Catholic Church, and the first such encyclical by the Pope Benedict XVI. The title is modeled on Ephesians 4:15, and in some way implies a continuation with the previous encyclical "God is Love" ("Deus caritas est"). The basic thesis of this encyclical is that love is not just an individual and personal attitude limited to one's circle of friends and relatives, but a universal guiding principle that ought to order the society at large. This is particularly evident when the synonym for love - charity - is used in the English translation. All the connotations of that word then become manifestly obvious. And yet, charity by itself, unless it is based and fortified by truth, can be little distinguished from emotionalism that is useless in promoting greater social and cultural development. It is precisely this truth that enables charity to have an impact and effect in social context.

This encyclical draws on earlier encyclicals that deal with social teaching of the Catholic Church, but in particular it views itself as a continuation and building upon of ideas presented in Pope Paul VI's "Populorum Progressio." It is a response to an increasingly globalized world in general and to the current economic crisis in particular. It addresses two dangerous extremes of the current debates on progress of society: the overreliance on technology on one hand, and the denial and rejection of any progress on another. It reemphasis one of the cornerstones of Catholic social teaching: the fact that life ethics and social ethics are inexorably connected. Authentic development requires adherence to truth and charity. Devaluing human life is contrary to it on both accounts.

Putting human life and human dignity at the very center of all economic and social development is seen as crucial for all development and social justice. The development and right ordering of all other human institutions is considered under the principle of subsidiarity: the appropriate level at which issues need to be addressed is the lowest lever at which they can be addressed effectively. This becomes especially relevant and urgent in the modern, increasingly interconnected, world.

In this encyclical Pope Benedict has given us another clear expression of Catholic social teaching, appropriated and updated to address the most pertinent social issues of today. It is a valuable resource and a source of teaching and guidance on matters that affect us all.

Many people are absolutely ignorant of the dramatic drop in birth rate in the United States. I particularly like the Holy Father's beautiful & appropos comments in paragraph 44 about the sanctity of life, marriage/family, demographics, & the economy:

"....Morally responsible openness to life represents a rich social and economic resource. Populous nations have been able to emerge from poverty thanks not least to the size of their population and the talents of their people. On the other hand, formerly prosperous nations are presently passing through a phase of uncertainty and in some cases decline, precisely because of their falling birth rates; this has become a crucial problem for highly affluent societies. The decline in births, falling at times beneath the so-called 'replacement level', also puts a strain on social welfare systems, increases their cost, eats into savings and hence the financial resources needed for investment, reduces the availability of qualified labourers, and narrows the 'brain pool' upon which nations can draw for their needs. Furthermore, smaller and at times miniscule families run the risk of impoverishing social relations, and failing to ensure effective forms of solidarity. These situations are symptomatic of scant confidence in the future and moral weariness. It is thus becoming a social and even economic necessity once more to hold up to future generations the beauty of marriage and the family, and the fact that these institutions correspond to the deepest needs and dignity of the person...."

Where does the current Pope stand on the many social problems of the modern world? "Charity in Truth: Caritas in Veritate" is a treatise on current social issues from Pope Benedict XVI. Technology, economics, the free market, charity, and so much more are spoke on, giving much to consider for many Catholics. For any well read follower of the Pope, "Charity in Truth" is a read that should not be missed.

This book is an encyclical by Benedict XVI. It is excellent: I keep abreast of current affairs, but I know of no one who has a greater understanding of the current world situation.

So why do I give it one star? Because you can buy it for $4.66 from the Catholic Truth Society in London.

And along with the recently more available suppressed Foxe's Book of Martyrs, a strong reminder of catholic-led genocides against other christians, especially white european christians (in the midsts of hundreds of such events, non-white christians are usually left alone by the catholic peoples). It is a strong reminder of the role in creating the "family of nations" and their money management. It is reminiscent of the security states many americans fled in europe where they were called "heretics" as a means of gaining control over their property. In light of the lies of the catholic peoples in the 60s, the use of nepotism to take 6 0f 9 Supreme court seats (the other 3 to jews) and the attitude toward this on t.v. shows on catholic-owned stations s/a Fox, where there was a gloating over the idea there were no "wasps" on the court of the country they had --quite literally--- created for "themselves and their posterity." In America today, so many most generational americans learn of catholic manipulation and hate through the backdoor, meeting one here and there, having them seem "nice" on the surface, but slowly realizing there is something...wrong. America, under voices such as this, moves ever more quickly toward a catholic security-conscious, paranoiac, police-ist, statist, catholic toned country---based ever more on covetousness (to hold all positions and more). Often, when this occurs, and the others (who lived in the country) become a minority, the catholics will commit genocide against them---- as it did in the christians in serbia.

I hope that catholics will read this with their eyes open, but more importantly, this is a book for other christians---orthodox and protestants, who continue to learn about the sect that has so often caused them harm, physical harm, loss of stolen property, and so on. Also--- highly recommend taking catechism classes in the catholic environment (in order to become more familiar with the teachings and general tone, and information about your own "heresy," as well as law and history, from this perspective on "heresies."

It cannot be explained that other groups that worship Jesus rely on the experience of His LIFE. His word. They are not s/a this---- in that the catholic belongs to its own nation, a landed nation, given by mussolini, (vatican city) and a foreign embassy in the u.s. (in DC).

Sadly, the answer to so much harm done ---whether serbian genocide, or such as Jesuit creation of liberation theology and its effect on u.s. anglo-protestants--- is always: well, men are evil and we sin. But so many have never heard other christians say this, or use this excuse. Some misuse the forgiveness of the Savior and believe they can just "sin and be forgiven," but you cannot. God is the judgement. God is the only Sovereign. Light surfaces.

God had blessed the U.S. Perhaps this was an affront, as it was a protestant nation, made by many, including Huegenots, who fled genocide by the catholic people.

would it not be better---- to speak true theology and experiences with God when attempting to convert, rather than at gunpoint (as with 200,000 christians in serbia in 1941?) Wouldn't a conversation about Christ be better---- but catholics do not "converse" about christ. they are told they are "right" the others are wrong" and whatever bad happens is because of anyone but them (b/c the others are heretics.)

Can they not question how this has led, obviously, these taught beliefs, to genocides? So many wish to be separate from such things!