Monday, October 5, 2020

'Fratelli Tutti' challenges our country and our church

 'Fratelli Tutti' challenges our country and our church

I will read the document in full when I get coffee with WiFi included. Blessed are the poor without a good connection. 

The fact that Francis has switched from the language of the past to pastoral language is no accident. The past writings, many of which were argued from "first principles," were anachronistic The social encyclicals were less so, but Veritatis Splendor and Humanae/Evangeliium Vitae were a throwback to pre-Vatican II officiousness.

His attack on social media over personal contact is apt, even though ironic because this letter is published online. Argument over the net is dehumanizing. It is too easy to say things behind a computer that one would not say in person.

Francis is definitely attacking the neo-fascist leanings of the day. His remarks can also be applied to populist democratic socialism as well. We need more than slogans.

CUA is irrelevant. I am positive he was not aiming any broadsides in their direction, although they should take heed. Any response from them will be "who, me?"

Those of us on the left know exactly who he means by neoliberal.He hits the Clinton camp as hard as the Republicans, maybe harder. The whole There Is No Alternative ideology is soundly condemned. There may, indeed, be Marxists in the Vatican.

The Pope is condemning half measures. An inadequate child tax credit is no longer adequate. Equality means equality. If it takes $1000 a month per child to provide a good home and food, then a non-refundable tax credit of $233 is not enough.

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