"At the heart of Pope Benedict's message is a basic conviction that is also the core principle of the entire canon of Roman Catholic Social teaching, namely, the essential dignity of the human person. Pope
(1) The fact that companies are now larger entities than governments, necessitating a global method of dialogue between commerce and the needs of humanity.
(2) The reality of hunger and the need to 'cultivate a public conscience that considers food and access to water as universal rights of all human beings.'
(3) The mobility of the labor force in a climate of deregulation and how this negatively impacts the dignity of the worker and the stability of family and society.
(4) Openness to human life and the end to state sponsored abortion.
(5) The right to religious freedom.
(6) And the integral connections between the health of the environment and the future of the human race. In response to these challenges,
Pope Benedict then outlines the principals of Catholic Social teaching that can speak to future solutions.
(1) The need for justice to be applied to every phase of economic activity.
(2) The need for solidarity among governments and communities to address the present crisis.
(3) The need to insure a balance between the rights of persons and the duties toward humanity so as to avoid mere license in the pursuit of wealth.
(4) Special emphasis on Creation and the environment as a gift of God to be wisely used and not recklessly exploited.
Pope Benedict emphasizes 'solidarity on the basis of justice and peace' as the path forward. I encourage all of you to read this wonderful and prophetic encyclical (available on the Vatican web site), and to use it to form conversation and discernment as we attempt to deal faithfully with the challenges of our present day."
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