Pope: in the effort to amass wealth, there is little concern for where it comes from

In an audience with the Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe (Moneyval), Francis reiterates that  the worship of the ancient golden calf (cf. Ex 32:1-35) has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis today called Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe (Moneyval) to help prevent modern "merchants" from "speculating in that sacred temple that is humanity" by rethinking our relationship with money that "must serve and not govern", as is the case sometimes today when in the effort to amass wealth, there is little concern for where it comes from. The Committee which is carrying out an evaluation of the measures introduced by the Vatican to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism, meeting them today Francis reiterated that " You cannot serve both God and money".

In his greeting, Francis said that the work done by the Committee “is particularly dear to my heart. Indeed, it is closely linked to the protection of life, the peaceful coexistence of the human race on earth, and a financial system that does not oppress those who are weakest and in greatest need. It is all linked together. As I wrote in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I consider it necessary for us to reflect anew on our relationship with money (cf. No. 55). It seems that in many places the supremacy of money over human beings is taken for granted. Sometimes, in the effort to amass wealth, there is little concern for where it comes from, the more or less legitimate activities that may have produced it, and the mechanisms of exploitation that may be behind it. Thus, situations can occur where, in touching money, we get blood on our hands, the blood of our brothers and sisters. It can also happen that financial resources are used to spread terror, to shore up the strongest, the most powerful and those prepared to sacrifice the lives of their brothers and sisters without a scruple, all in a bid to hold onto their power".

He continued: "The Church’s social teaching has underscored the error of the neoliberal dogma (cf. ibid., 168) which holds that the economic and moral orders are so completely distinct from one another that the former is in no way dependent on the latter (cf. Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, ed. Carlen, 42). In light of the present circumstances, it would seem that “the worship of the ancient golden calf (cf. Ex 32:1-35) has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose” (Evangelii Gaudium, 55). Indeed, “financial speculation fundamentally aimed at quick profit continues to wreak havoc” (Fratelli Tutti, 168)."

“Policies aimed at countering money laundering and terrorism are a means of monitoring movements of money and of intervening in cases where irregular or even criminal activities are detected. Jesus drove merchants from the temple precincts (cf. Mt 21:12-13; Jn 2:13-17) and stated: “You cannot serve both God and money” (Mt 6:24). Once the economy loses its human face, then we are no longer served by money, but ourselves become servants of money. This is a form of idolatry against which we are called to react by reestablishing the rational order of things, which appeals to the common good,[1] whereby “money must serve, not rule” (Evangelii Gaudium, 58; Gaudium et Spes, 64; Laudato Si’, 195)."