In a statement from the Vatican yesterday, Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary talked about the newest sins we must focus on in our world. None of these sins are new, and there are no new theological claims in them, but it is interesting to think about what the good Monsignor points us to in the realm of sin.
Social Injustice – The Vatican expressed concern for the growing gap, in our world, between the haves and the have nots. The economic disparity is sinful. For so few to have so much and so many to have so little is a terrible injustice.
Ethics – The also talked about the value of all human life and violations of basic human nature such as cloning and genetic testing. Justice is not just an issue for humans walking the earth, but for the nature of humanity, how we are created, how we seek advances, how we live and treat one another.
The Earth – The Vatican also reiterated concern for the condition of the earth. The stewardship of the earth and abuses there in are areas of great concern.
Looking over the list, it turns out the Vatican has gone liberal! At least I am sure some will say that, with a list of social concerns that crosses religious and political lines. I think that the Vatican is right on in this statement. This look at corporate sins is important. We are often so caught up in individual sin that we ignore our corporate responsibilities. If we participate in systems that oppress, allow widespread sinfulness and greed, violate the earth, or destroy life, and we do nothing about it, we are guilty of sin. Sometimes they are sins of commission and sometimes they are sins of omission, but we are guilty none the less.
During this season of Lent, as we near the joy of Easter, let us not merely contend with sins of self, but also sins of other. How are we supporting and participating in corporate sin? What are we not doing to battle this sin? What do we accept as “the way things are” without reorienting our vision to be that of God’s Kingdom?
Thanks Monsignor for the reminder that it isn’t all about us, and that the weight of suffering around this world is a cross that Christ has called us to bear.
March 11, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Corporate guilt. Nice.
Come, Lord Jesus!
March 11, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I hate to admit, but the Vatican did well.
But what about political greed?
March 11, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Why would you hate to admit the Vatican doing well? They are your brothers too. Love the church!
March 11, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I agree they are our brothers in Christ. However, I have a lot of theological issues with the Catholic Church as well as problems with the abuse of powers within the church as well from the Vatican throughout the history of the church.
March 11, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Well let’s not turn another post into a debate about something other than the topic.
Political sins are big as well.
Maybe we could have fun by naming all the corporate sins that we should be aware of.
I will go first: The Corporate Sin of NASCAR!
March 11, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Corporate Sin of NASCAR, who has ever heard of such a silly thing.;)
How about spending money on big time speakers while paying your employees less than a living wage?
Paying a state worker, who has been on the job for 10 years, $19,000 to take care of the roads.
Doing business unethically and in ways that violate federal and state laws.
Profits are great and businesses need to make profits, but if you’re doing so in a way that takes advantage of the consumers or your workers, you’re probably in trouble.
March 12, 2008 at 3:00 am
The NASCAR was just to see if you were still reading Shannon.
How about the corporate sin of oil. This is a sin which all of us participate in. Except those of you driving around in a car powered by french fry grease!
Think about the destruction and evil in this world because of oil. There are plenty of benefits as well, but those probably just keep us from looking too closely at the sin.
March 12, 2008 at 12:30 pm
“Well let’s not turn another post into a debate about something other than the topic.”
Discord among brothers is off topic when talking about sin, corporate guilt and ethics? Are you serious?
March 12, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Would the sin of oil be a sin we can’t get around because we are under the thumbs of oil companies that are not really looking at alternative energies. Though I don’t want the government doing this for them, by the way. How do you hold the purchaser accountable when there are no other viable option on the market? You see what I’m trying to get at.
March 12, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Maggie,
The comment about being on topic was a reference to the multitude of posts whose conversation has been redirected by tangential comments or complete non sequitur’s. I am actually working on a post of blog etiquette and this will certainly be on there.
That being said, of course discord is a corporate sin, but debating the merits of Catholicism and the Vatican was obviously not the point of the post, so we moved on.