Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis: Against liberalism, critic of the IMF and foreign debt

[Catherina]

4. More: 'human rights are violated not only by terrorism... but also by unjust economic structures'

On this issue Cardinal Bergoglio does not shy from political activism. In 2009, he was scathing of what he saw as the Argentine Government's unjustified tolerance of an increase in poverty, saying that 'human rights are violated not only by terrorism, repression and murder, but also by unjust economic structures that cause great inequalities.' Pope Francis I, invoking the name of the founder of the Franciscan order, promises to be a deeply divisive political figure, but given the resonance of this message among masses of people worldwide, it might just be here the reconstitution of the Church's authority could be found.

http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2013/03/14/Francis-I-The-economic-crusader.aspx

Extreme poverty is also a violation of human rights, says Argentinean cardinal

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct 1, 2009 / 09:01 pm (CNA)

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Social debt is “immoral, unjust and illegitimate,” the cardinal said, emphasizing that this is especially true when it occurs “in a nation that has the objective conditions for avoiding or correcting such harm.” “Unfortunately,” he noted, it seems that those same countries “opt for exacerbating inequalities even more.”

Argentineans have the duty “to work to change the structural causes and personal or corporate attitudes that give rise to this situation (of poverty), and through dialogue reach agreements that allow us to transform this painful reality we refer to when we speak about social debt,” the prelate said.

Cardinal Bergoglio said the challenge to eradicate poverty could not be truthfully met as long as the poor continue to be dependents of the State. The government and other organizations should instead work to create the social conditions that will promote and protect the rights of the poor and enable them to be the builders of their own future, he explained.

The problem of debt and social justice must be of concern to every sector of society, he added, including leaders in government, politics, finance, business, agriculture, industry, unions, the Church and other social organizations.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/extreme_poverty_is_also_a_violation_of_human_rights_says_argentinean_cardinal/