Universal Destination of Goods…redistribution of wealth . I just happened to come across Mr. Berry article on the Universal destination of goods. He apparently has a very poor understanding of this Catholic doctrine. Private property must be used for the good of all man kind not only the rightful steward! The doctrine further states that private property must first to be used in the service of those in need ,then to the rightful steward/owner We must understand God is the rightful owner . It must also be understood that no theft has occurred of said property when it has been used for primordial needs such as food, shelter, health care ect!!! This concept has nothing to do with socialism . Furthermore when Stewardship fails, and make no mistake it has failed, the Government is obligated to pick up the slack. To suggest that those to whom the duty of stewardship has been placed have done a adequate job is absurd and ridiculous. 30,000 children die every single day from starvation. What poor stewards we are. some suggest we are over taxed and this is why we are are such poor stewards again this is absolutely ridiculous. Of course we are over taxed but can this really justify 30,000 children dying from starvation every single day. Silly at best!

The rule of law is the necessary condition for the establishment of an authentic democracy. For democracy to develop, there is a need for civic education and the promotion of public order and peace. In effect, there is no authentic and stable democracy without social justice. Thus the Church needs to pay greater attention to the formation of consciences, which will prepare the leaders of society for public life at all levels, promote civic education, respect for law and for human rights, and inspire greater efforts in the ethical train-ing of political leaders.(Ecclesia in America, n. 56)

But authority is not to be thought of as a force lacking all control. Indeed, since it is the power to command according to right reason, authority must derive its obligatory force from the moral order, which in turn has God for its first source and final end. Where-fore our Predecessor of happy memory, Pius XII, said: “The absolute order of living beings and man’s very destiny (We are speaking of man who is free, bound by obligations and endowed with inalienable rights, and at once the basis of society and the purpose for which it exists) also includes the state as a necessary society invested with the authority without which it could not come into being or live…. And since this absolute order, as we learn from sound reason, and especially from the Christian faith, can have no origin save in God Who is our Creator, it follows that the dignity of the State’s authority is due to its sharing to some extent in the authority of God Himself”(Pius XII, Christmas Eve Radio Message, 1944).(Pacem in Terris, n. 47)
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