Deal,
You are correct to point out the important clarification of rights language, but we should not be confused about the point he is making about the necessity of justice. He explains it as a minimum standard and speaks of how we are called to more.

Just a quick comment about technology and capability. There is a tendency nowadays that "because I can, I will do" - a feature of power poltics - for good or bad. Because technology gives one the capability, there is always the temptation and urge even to act on that capability. Many thanks for this article and for the website - I very much appreciate the work you are doing.

Benedict is correct: the Church should be neither pro Capitalist nor pro Marxist. They should advocate all of us treating each other with honesty and fairness [not to mention respect]. I liked the capitalism that we had in this country in the 1950's and 1960's, which seemed to provide for a fair return for investors, as well as fair treatment for the workers and customers, unfortunately, in the last 20 or so years, we got into a capitalism of greed and dishonesty. You can be a Christian and a Capitalist, but in order to be both, you must be honest and fair.

I read the sections at American Papist and maybe its because I have 16 years of Catholic school, but I laughed when you noted above that it was not thrilling. The sections I read were not thrilling because they were predictable in that they were based not on research but on moral positions. Had he done research, he would have had to cite examples of the countries that are in crisis because birth rates are falling and shown that that really was the reason (or were there other reasons). But we do not require research from Popes but only essays based on known positions. This is an odd hybrid: sociology without proof and without citations of concrete examples. If we are ever going to reach the outside world with such letters, the outside world is not impressed with a priori reasoning in a context where there should be research.

I just read the part about rights and duties. I think someone around here submitted an article that talked about that very thing :) (see link)

"The principle of subsidiarity must remain closely linked to the principle of solidarity and vice versa, since the former without the latter gives way to social privatism, while the latter without the former gives way to paternalist social assistance that is demeaning to those in need." (58)

"Science can analyse a pork-chop, and say how much of it is phosphorus and how much is protein; but science cannot analyse any man's wish for a prok-chop, and say how muchy of it is hunger, how much custom, how much nervous fancy, how much a haunting love of the beautiful. The man's desire for the pork-chop remains literally as mystical and ethereal as his desire for heaven. All attempts, therefore, at a science of any human things, at a science of history, a science of folk-lore, a science of sociology, are by their nature not merely hopeless, but crazy. You can no more be certain in economic history that a man's desire for money was merely a desire for money than you can be certain in hagiology that a saint's desire for God was merely a desire for God. And this kind of vagueness in the primary phenomena of the study is an absolutely final blow to anything in the nature of a science."

From the chapter titled Science and the Savage in his book Heretics.

I think that the outside world is, generally, impressed only by research which supports their current belief.

Since the ego competes and the spirit cooperates, I believe that the concept of unions has become passe'. The idea that the people signing your paycheck should be viewed as adversaries is ridiculous. For this reason (among many) I believe that American businesses would be far better off eliminating unions once a company is large enough to be publicly traded and having those companies be 50% employee owned.

Let's end the tug-of-war and start pulling on the same end of the rope.

like my 86 year old priest said last sunday, the pope needs to spend less time visiting other countries and more time penning excommunications, starting with those at notre dame.

there will be those who are heretics that will take this most recent writing and will twist it so that it means what they want it to mean and to the unknowed it will seem as though a cleric in good standing is speaking as the mouth of the Church, and many will be led astray.

i believe my priest would include "writing encyclicals" along side "visiting other countries."

I don't know which Mark you are, but I agree with what you just said. I'd even drink to it, if I had a drink nearby :)

The lack of specifics, which I guess is the nature of a Papal Ency. really does a disservice to us. Does this mean that the US should collect and give more of my and other tax money to others who have a hand out, no matter whether they SHOULD be handed the money or service? Is some one entitled because he or she SAYS they are entitled? Do those who have a hand out have any duties or responsibilities before I have to pay more taxes??
What would the Pope say that my correct tax burden is? Good Lord, we have had cheaters since day one of history! Look at all the beautiful churches and Bishops' houses in the cities and tell me that we ought to scrap the life we have in America. This country is the most generous nation ever in the world. If it is not, name a more generous , more Christian one! Is the Pope saying that we all ought to be socialists, embrace the Obama socialism? Have the government own the manner of production? Tell me what I should get as a result of my efforts. The same government which runs wasteful programs and runs up billions in deficits? I love the Pope but is the Pope's latest Ency. worth what the left and the lib Bishops Groups will do with the vague words? Get ready to see Fr Mc Brien and other far left folks on all the major networks. Oh boy !!

I agree with this, too. It's so simple that it's no wonder it hasn't been tried.

Just curious why the usual presence of women is absent on this important writing? I hope it is because they have not had time to read and thoughtfully consider... I, myself am grateful for the quick link to the document and intend to read it this evening.

"Unfortunately, too much confidence was placed in those institutions, as if they were able to deliver the desired objective automatically. In reality, institutions by themselves are not enough, because integral human development is primarily a vocation, and therefore it involves a free assumption of responsibility in solidarity on the part of everyone. Moreover, such development requires a transcendent vision of the person, it needs God: without him, development is either denied, or entrusted exclusively to man, who falls into the trap of thinking he can bring about his own salvation, and ends up promoting a dehumanized form of development. [i]Only through an encounter with God are we able to see in the other something more than just another creature[17], to recognize the divine image in the other, thus truly coming to discover him or her and to mature in a love that “becomes concern and care for the other.”[18]

It is as Mary and Elizabeth experienced, as Temples of the Living God, we as Christians should recognize the presence of Jesus in each other; if filled with Him we should see others as God sees them -- as a Father who loves deeply his child... never giving up on him/her achieving Excellence and lovingly present with encouragement along the journey.

We have so programmed our Church, so organized the activities of the Church, that LOVE spontaneous love, tenderness, touch, physical and spiritual are often absent.

The work I am currently involved in explores what is going on behind the high number of High School drop outs, rising number of Foster Care children, and the youth state in one way or another how no one, not one has ever showm them LOVE... It seems that we have successfully removed sincere, authentic charity, from the home, the schools and the Church.....

The Good News is that these children are able to turn it around with just one truly caring adult in their life!

In just one generation we have become strangers to one another..... is it any wonder that the young seek community in Facebook and MySpace...... Oh that we would heed this call to TRUE Community Building... Sustainable, loving, thriving communities.

For this reason, even in the most difficult and complex times, besides recognizing what is happening, we must above all else turn to God's love. Development requires attention to the spiritual life, a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship in Christ, reliance upon God's providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace. All this is essential if “hearts of stone” are to be transformed into “hearts of flesh” (Ezek 36:26), rendering life on earth “divine” and thus more worthy of humanity.

Sorry that I am treating this like a class assignment but I believe we as Catholics have more at our disposal for spiritual development today, if we but read and meditate :).. I know that the bloggers here are exceptions I'm sure!

This captures a desparate need in our Church, that of spirtitual development.... even in my work again, you may have read that 80% of High School graduates have read less than 10 books since they graduated.... wonder what the statistics would reflect on the number of Catholics who seek to grow in their spiritual lives. I love that our Holy Father stresses that it is our primary vocation to develop the gifts and talents mind, hearts and souls throughout out journey. I believe that this is fundamental to ushering in the City of God.... soul by soul by soul.... turning more and more into His likeness, each as a brilliant facet of the diamond.

Choicest Blessings on you all and on this great work, IC.

Bill Bannon what do you think the "moral positions" are based on if not the truth and teachings of Jesus Christ? Don't you think you have it backwards, since everything must flow from Truth? The "research" has already been done, by the Son of God; doesn't get any better.

Deal (great piece by the way, thanks), I also suspect that regarding technology, Benedict might be implying medical technology as well, as the horrors of "we can so we will" loom in the world of Biotechnology. Examples that immediatley come to mind: multiparent (3 or more donors) children, fetal farming, sperm cells from stem cells (no father needed, high tech "eugenics", and the list goes on.

For me, I see the take home message of one more justification that regardless of what the issue of the day is coming from our Pope(s); it's always about human life and dignity. Hopefully, when the left tries to use this for their political agendas, as informed Catholics, we must be quick and able to remind that this is a "package deal only."