Over 120 years ago Leo XIII strongly endorsed labor unions
and justice for oppressed workers, a decidedly unpopular view with the powerful. Ever since, popes have pushed for human
dignity and equality, the sanctity of all human life, equality of the sexes,
the broad ownership of the means of production and profit (though not
socialism), and care for the environment.
Even when the Church was powerful in countries with imperial
ambitions, the popes condemned imperialism and insisted on basic rights for
all, including the right to self-determination and economic independence. Above
all, popes preached the revolutionary “preferential option for the poor and
vulnerable,” with all that means for social policy.
Yes, the Church takes itself and its prerogatives too
seriously, sometimes at the expense of common sense. Right now, the American
church is flexing its muscles for the first time since the priest-pedophile
scandals almost broke its back. Too bad it’s about the technicalities of who
pays for women’s health care. But still.
If you’re going to have a big religion that is still trying
to get into bed with secular powers, it’s not a bad thing that it has
consistently preached (and sometimes practiced) social justice.
Unlike Limbaugh and Santorum and some of the Ayatollahs, the
popes can be wise teachers.
The Church has much to learn from Buddhism. . .and vice
versa.
