About Events Topics Resources

About Events Topics Resources
Relevant Radio: Rev. Sirico On Caritas in Veritate
Acton Institute Powerblog

Relevant Radio: Rev. Sirico On Caritas in Veritate

by Louie Glinzak • July 20, 2009

Rev. Robert A. Sirico had two recent appearances on Relevant Radio’s Drew Mariani Show to discuss the new social encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI.  His first appearance was prior to the release of the encyclical and he explained how Christians who support the free economy believe that it should not be based on greed.  To have a just society, we must have just people.  When money becomes the end of a person, and a person’s whole life is directed to that end, Rev. Sirico points out that then a person is destroyed.  Finally, he closes with an important message: If we do no understand love then we do not understand ourselves because we are the result of God’s love.

[audio:http://bonhoeffer.acton.org/acton_media/mp3/2009-07-01_Sirico.mp3]

In his second appearance, Rev. Sirico explains why Pope Benedict XVI does not have any intention to declare himself in the middle of a political debate with the release of Caritas in Veritate.  The pope does not recommend a political model.  Instead, Caritas in Veritate is meant to lay down the principles on how to govern a society.  The encyclical accepts the reality and benefits of a market economy but states a market economy does not contain the moral guide that a society needs.  Rev. Sirico also asserts that the ambiguities that are in Caritas in Veritate are intentional.  Certain principles need an application which requires the virtue of prudence.  The pope allows ambiguity because this will foster a debate and from the debate the Church can gain a greater insight from what it is trying to get to and then re-articulate its message.  Rev. Sirico reminds us that it is important to understand that the Church’s social teaching is not a dogmatic pronouncement that is not debatable.  Instead, it is a dynamic process.

[audio:http://bonhoeffer.acton.org/acton_media/mp3/2009-07-16_Sirico.mp3]
Louie Glinzak

Louie Glinzak

Posted in News and Events, VaticanTagged Caritas in Veritate, catholic social thought, economics, encyclical, Father Sirico, radio

Related posts

  • Caritas in Veritate: Jayabalan and Gregg Radio Interviews
  • Caritas in Veritate: Schmiesing and Jayabalan Radio Interviews
  • Announcement: A Caritas in Veritate Reader
  • Resource Page on Caritas in Veritate

About

Our Mission & Core Principles Awards, Scholarships, and Grants Acton Research Our Team Careers News Internships

Events

Events Calendar Conference Series Lecture Series Acton University

Publications

Acton Commentary Acton Notes Religion & Liberty Religion & Liberty Transatlantic Journal of Markets & Morality International Public Policy

Multimedia

Videos Audio Radio Free Acton Curricula Films Mobile Apps

Shop

Donate

Contact Us

  • Italiano
  • Español
  • Deutsch
  • Français
  • Português
  • 简体中文
  • لعربية
© 2017 Acton Institute | Privacy Policy