Pope Francis: Influence of Mammon

Posted by admin on Friday, October 2, 2015

Pope Francis Money Quotation saying (in a reference to the first commandment) that the idolatry of money worship leads finance industry to take advantage of poor workers. Pope Francis said:
 

 

“The new colonialism takes on different faces. At times it appears as the anonymous influence of mammon: corporations, loan agencies, certain ‘free trade’ treaties, and the imposition of measures of ‘austerity’ which always tighten the belt of workers and the poor” — Pope Francis

 

 

Pope Francis refers to some examples of “new colonialism” as:

• Corporations that take advantage of workers and communities.
• Loan agencies that impose harsh terms that hurt the poor and workers.
• Certain free trade agreements that prioritize corporate interests over people.
• Austerity measures imposed by international bodies that cut social services and make the poor and workers “tighten their belts.”

Pope Francis seems to be criticizing systems and policies that exploit the poor and workers for the benefit of large corporations and wealthy interests, similar to how colonial powers historically exploited indigenous peoples and took advantage of them economically.

Pope Francis is criticizing how austerity measures tend to disproportionately impact low-income groups. When governments implement austerity to reduce deficits, they often do so by cutting public spending on social services and welfare programs that support workers and the poor. This can include reducing unemployment benefits, healthcare subsidies, public housing assistance, and other social programs. Pope Francis argues that this shifts the burden of adjustment mainly onto those who are least able to afford it. His view is that austerity should not come at the expense of helping society’s most vulnerable members.