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The encyclical work of Pope Benedict XVI addresses the ways in which the world can benefit from the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the current global crisis. Acting as a global father to people of good will, Benedict seeks to protect nations from blind self-centeredness and re-direct their steps toward a new vision of stewardship that aims to promote the common good of mankind.
Regarding the Gospel teaching of solidarity and sharing goods, Pope Benedict says it is an ethical imperative for the universal Church to strive to eliminate world hunger which is usually dependent on a shortage of social resources rather than material ones. Access to food and clean water should be universal rights for all human beings as fundamental as the right to life. He encourages an attitude of solidarity with poor countries and points out that politicians and directors of international institutions have begun to sense that by this Christian principle, a solution can be found for the current global crisis. The demand for development in poor countries can generate true economic growth and sustain the productive capacities of rich countries. According to Pope Paul VI in Populorum Progressio, the first to gain from the development of poor countries would be rich ones.
Pope Benedict insists that globalization must be driven toward the humanizing goal of solidarity which is first and foremost a sense of responsibility on the part of everyone with regard to everyone. If globalization is to overcome its challenges and serve the common good, we must appropriate the underlying anthropological and ethical spirit that will bring relationship, communion, and the sharing of goods.
There is moral significance in every aspect of economic, political and business life. Countries in need of development should not be exploited for the sake of short-term profits without business making a real contribution to local society. Justice demands that economic choices do not cause excessive disparities of wealth. Rather than selfish motives of gain that Pope Benedict says stems from original sin, real development means that affluent countries find ways to meet the needs of the poor.
People themselves have the prime responsibility to work for their own development and should be involved in the planning of development programs. The notion that poor peoples should remain at a fixed stage of development and be content to receive assistance from the philanthropy of developed countries was a mentality opposed by Paul VI. Steady employment for everyone should be a priority.
The goal of authentic human development requires integration in an individual and in a society. There needs to be a shared responsibility for the reform that is necessary and Benedict calls upon governments, politicians, businessmen, and churches to work together toward that end.
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