If Caesar has to pay for it, it is not a fundamental human right. The Church throughout her history has been a beacon of charity to the poor.  That is her function and not attempting to enlist Caesar by designating a wish list “fundamental human rights”. The men running the Church have lazily become addicted to treating Caesar as some sort of magic genie to accomplish what should be the concern of the Church and every individual Christian. Christ asked Caesar for nothing. Helping the poor was a duty He imposed on each of His followers individually and upon His Church collectively. The Pope and the men running the Vatican need to heed Him.
LeoWatch: Let Caesar Do It Fundamentalism
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Has the communist “Pope” ever read 2nd Thessalonians 3:6-13?
6 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, brethren, we command you to keep your distance from any of the brethren who are living an idle existence and who disregard the tradition you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We did not ever accept food from anyone, but with toil and drudgery we worked night and day so that we would not burden any of you. 9 We did so, not because we have no right to accept such help, but to present ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
10 In fact, even when we were with you, we charged that anyone who was unwilling to work should not eat. 11 Now we have been told that some among you are living a life of idleness, not working but acting as busybodies. 12 We command and urge such people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and earn their own living.
Way too many high ranking people in the Church sound less like Christ and more like Judas: “that should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
It feels very slimy, honestly. As I was helping with the collection at Mass on Sunday, I noticed the second one was for Peter’s Pence. So what pet project will that money go toward while the Shepherds have their hand out to Caesar?
Mark Shea also needs to heed this advice. He’s always complaining about how so-called MAGA Catholics are so heartless in trying to get the government out of the welfare business.
He might make an argument for water, since nearly all supplies nowadays are municipal or under some government contract.
Healthcare?!? Does this mean Catholic doctors are now forbidden from charging for their services? I know the Dems are pretty gung-ho about providing free drugs to the masses, but not insulin or heart medication. Mostly just free crack and RU-486 (and whatever the Canadians are using in their MAID program).
What about Heaven?
Is Heaven a fundamental human right too?
If so, what are you guys in mitres doing to ensure it gets to todos, todos, todos?
Jesus rebuked the crowd who showed up looking for another multiplication of loaves and fish saying that they should seek salvation instead.
Vatican needs to reread the standing orders from HQ instead of drafting and redrafting new operating procedures.
Yes, you can feed, clothe, and house the poor. You can even do it so well that they’re not really poor anymore. For their entire lives. What then? What good does it do if you never speak to them of the danger that lies after this life for those unprepared for death. Caesar isn’t going to do that. That’s literally your job, hierarchy.
I see noodling around that he avoided such an utterance in his most recent encyclical but that he has been uttering off-the-cuff inanities rather like his predecessor’s airline magisterium.
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Whether or not the government has to pay for it, food, water, and medical care have to be produced and all that goes into producing them is subject to scarcity and incorporates decisions about what not to produce.
P. Frank 2.0 slouching toward Gomorrah.
Leo is a disappointment for being so woke!
Sexual Ethics Is a Social Justice Issue – First Things
Worthy article. Pope Leo and all the bishops simply have to make the connection between sexual immorality and the destruction of the family. All of these destructive ills promoted by the wealthy class.