Economic Encyclical Next Week

I find myself eagerly anticipating a new encyclical by Pope Benedict. Entitled "Veritas in Caritate" (or "Truth in Charity" or "Truth in Love") the new document reportedly focuses on economics, specifically on how to reform capitalism so that it once again provides the greatest good for the greatest number.

Pope Benedict is not a fan of "command and control" economics. He and his predecessor, John Paul II, have seen enough damage caused by progressive/socialist/communist theories put into practice.

The word from a source who reportedly knows says that the new encyclical is not a condemnation of capitalism, but is a call for those who engage in free enterprise to study ethics and voluntarily choose to reform the way in which they do business.

"The encyclical's message is not somewhere on the spectrum of left, center, and right," he said. "Rather, it is on a level of thinking above this."

I pray that this is the case.