Laudato si’ Invites You: An Economy Beyond Capitalism

For those of us who are anxious over how familiar this all may seem to liberation thought (theology and philosophy), do not be anxious: All theology liberates. We should participate in the effort to liberate the poor and the planet, it is our Christian and human duty. Liberation, which is the active force of love, reveals God in all of creation.

(Ah, but some are worried that this sounds like A Theology of Liberation. That is not a bad thing. The recent pontiffs have not hidden their admiration for certain thinkers. Oscar Romero. Gustavo Guttiérez, and Hélder Câmara. If you read Laudato, you’ll notice Francis using two times, almost exactly, the following phrase: “Cry of the earth, cry of the poor” (LS, 49 and 246). This is also the title of liberation theologian Leonardo Boff’s, 1997 text. It is scathing to capitalism and does quite a bit to demonstrate all of the things we have said above. I suggest you read it; in fact, have fun and realize how Sirico’s Acton Institute rebukes consistent moral theology by reading their review of the text.)

The end prescription can be summed up in Jesus’ commandment to love one another. The reality of this, for Christians, requires on-going conversion, especially if we are to take Laudato seriously. None of us are exempt from this call to love. We can be insincere with the words of the Holy Father for the sake of our agenda or simply be blunt about our decision to publicly denigrate Laudato, like Robert Sirico and Samuel Gregg did yesterday. Even the Acton Institute is called to Jesus Christ – the pains of conversion are obvious.

There is more that can be considered or connected to in this brief treatment on an economic life beyond capitalism. We need to take action right away. This is a social and ecological problem. For now, as most commentators seem to be addressing the encyclical without admitting the invitation within it to move beyond capitalism, this is what I leave you with.

This and the Acton Institute’s confused and ideologically rigid response to Laudato. Whose side are you on?

Until next time,

Keith Michael Estrada

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