The rules of the game are simple. Identify a problem that affects society then steer reaction toward a solution that cleverly focuses attention “over there” and not “here.”
Pope Francis does a brilliant job of this.
“VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis called Friday [May 9th] for governments to redistribute wealth to the poor in a new spirit of generosity to help curb the “economy of exclusion” that is taking hold today.
Francis made the appeal during a speech to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the heads of major U.N. agencies who met in Rome this week.
. . . On Friday, Francis called for the United Nations to promote a “worldwide ethical mobilization” of solidarity with the poor in a new spirit of generosity.”
He said a more equal form of economic progress can be had through “the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society.” (DailyNews)
This all sounds very good until you realize how adroitly these statements address the problem while shifting attention away from the Vatican itself.
- The Pope calls on “governments to redistribute wealth” (secular wealth redistribution)
- This “legitimate redistribution” is to flow from the state, the private sector and civil society (again, no mention of religious institutions)
- The Pope makes his appeal during a speech to the UN Secretary General and heads of major UN agencies.
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