via Vatican News: The fragile and vulnerable person, the Pope said, is defenceless in the face of the interests of the market and the power that some economic sectors exert over the state. To defend democratic institutions and the development of humanity, the Pope said, jurists need to contain the punitive irrationality which manifests itself… Read More Pope Francis Warns Culture of Waste is Turning into a Culture of Hatred

via CNS: Following through on a proposal made at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, Pope Francis said there are plans to include a definition of ecological sins in the church’s official teaching. “We should be introducing — we were thinking — in the Catechism of the Catholic Church the sin against ecology, ecological… Read More Pope Francis: Catechism Will Include Ecological Sins

via the Vatican: Rising levels of poverty on a global scale bear witness to the prevalence of inequality rather than a harmonious integration of persons and nations. An economic system that is fair, trustworthy and capable of addressing the most profound challenges facing humanity and our planet is urgently needed. I encourage you to persevere… Read More Pope Francis on the Throwaway Culture and the Path of Generous Solidarity

MSW writes: Preeminent: Adj. surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way. This adjective was the focus of two debates at the heart of last week’s bishops’ conference plenary. It was added to the text of a new letter that will supplement the bishops’ quadrennial, and apparently irrevocable, statement about elections, “Forming Consciences for Faithful… Read More Are The US Bishops Trying to Help Trump Win Reelection?

Brian Fraga writes: “But, abortion!” has become sort of a tongue-in-cheek retort in some Catholic circles to refer to arguments when the right to life is seemingly used by people to downplay or dismiss other important principles in the Church’s social teaching, such as the preferential option for the poor, caring for creation, welcoming the… Read More Why “But, Abortion!” is No Excuse for Ignoring Moral Imperatives

via CNS: At a time when “situations of injustice and human pain” seem to be growing around the globe, Christians are called to “accompany the victims, to see in their faces the face of our crucified Lord,” Pope Francis said…. Listing examples of places where Catholics are called to work for justice and for the… Read More Pope Francis on the Throwaway Culture of Selfish Nationalism, Inequality, Environmental Degradation, Structural Poverty