The Catholic Church seeks recognition of the dignity of the poor and the creation of job opportunities – not simply expanded government welfare programs or handouts, Pope Francis says.
Acting to improve one’s economic situation "means overcoming excessive aid," he adds.
Acknowledging the dignity of every human being requires much more than providing charity. It means working to create jobs so people can use their talents to provide for their families, the Pope said in a video message played Thursday at the Festival of Catholic Teaching in Verona.
The Pope said that as global economic turmoil continues, there is a "great temptation to stop and lick one’s wounds, seeing them as an excuse not to hear the cry of the poor and see the suffering of those who have lost the dignity of bringing bread home because they have lost their jobs."
He questioned the premise that there is no money for welfare programs or jobs when funds can be found for weapons production and war,
Catholic News Service reported.
At the same time, Pope Francis emphasized that money alone won’t improve the human condition.
"The real problem isn’t money, but people," he said. "We cannot ask money to do what only people can do or create. Money alone will not create development; to promote development, we need people who have the courage to take the initiative."
And taking the initiative means overcoming "welfarism" and "indifference," the Pope said,
Breitbart reports.
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