Pope calls for a return of ‘person-centered ethics’ in finance and economics

Gerard O'Connell Vatican Insider May 16, 2013


The effects of the world's economic and social crisis
In a strong critique of the current global economic and financial disorder, Pope Francis denounces the idolatry of money and calls for a return to a ‘person-centered ethics’ in the world of finance and economics
In his first major speech on the global financial crisis, Pope Francis strongly denounced ‘the cult of money and the dictatorship of an economy which is faceless and lacking any truly humane goal’. He called on the world’s financial experts and political leaders to promote ‘disinterested solidarity’ and ‘a return to a person-centered ethics in the world of finance and economics.’ ……
While addressed in the first place to the governments represented by the new ambassadors, his message was clearly targeted at the world’s financial and political leaders. And it was clearly rooted in his experience in Latin America, and especially in Argentina where over the past decades he had witnessed the country’s economic meltdown, an increase in poverty, the growing gap between rich and poor, and widespread corruption.
‘The Pope loves everyone, rich and poor alike, but the Pope has the duty, in Christ’s name, to remind the rich to help the poor, to respect them, to promote them’…….