“Economy must be at the service of every person”, says Cardinal Tauran

(June 17, 2009) “We must illuminate the thinking of an ethical point of view and thus open the minds and hearts to the common good,” Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue said in his address to various religious leaders meeting in Rome on Tuesday, ahead of the G8 Summit next month.. The initiative was organised by the Italian Bishops conference in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Noting the complex and diverse topics scheduled on the G8 agenda, such as - water, food safety, health, education, peace and security, Cardinal Tauran said “It is not for you to suggest to political leaders of the G8, technical solutions on the diverse and complex topics, but request them to work for the fundamental rights and dignity of every person. “This world” he said, “seems constantly threatened by the violation of certain fundamental rights of the individual, the imbalance between the rich and the poor, disease, unresolved conflicts, arms trade and corruption. In addition, since 2008, there are three crises clouding the horizon – food, energy and the financial crises, said the prelate.
To meet these challenges, Cardinal Tauran called for solidarity, respect for human dignity and rights, safeguarding the role of the family and conveying to younger generations moral and spiritual values. He called for a deep examination of conscience. When money is worshipped as god, he said, good human relations are neglected. He said the consume evermore policy will ultimately exhaust the planet’s resources and create inequality. Stating that the economy must be at the service of every individual, Cardinal Tauran said the Catholic Church, guided by the “ compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, continues to achieve its task of education and to serve the human person. He pointed out that Pope Benedict XVI highlighted the economic and financial crises faced by the world and urged to promote the right values to achieve a genuinely free and just society.