Pope: respect for people, not market laws should regulate competition

“[T]ransparency in decision-making processes and economic choices is fundamental. It makes it possible to avoid unfair competition, which in the economic and labour fields often means job losses, as well as support for unreported or underpaid work.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis met today with a delegation from Italy's National Association of Building Contractors (ANCE[*]). This provided him with the opportunity to talk about the Christian view of values like “competition and transparency; responsibility and sustainability; ethics, legality and safety”.

In his address, the pontiff explained that competition must push us to do better than others, not to eliminate them; for this reason, “transparency in decision-making processes and economic choices is fundamental. It makes it possible to avoid unfair competition, which in the economic and labour fields often means job losses, as well as support for unreported or underpaid work.” 

In today’s “difficult times”, it “is important to draw on motivations, on fundamental choices,” Francis said. Taking his cue from this, he turned to the parable of the house built on the rock.

Jesus, the Pope noted, describes as charlatans those who build houses on sandy soil, while good builder know that such houses will be wiped out as soon as it floods. However, "His parable goes on with the downside: “I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock” (Lk 6:47-48). 

“The picture is even more interesting if we think that such a builder not only did the right thing in the present moment, but defended the house from possible future floods.” Still, “One might say: but it never happened! Yes, but it could happen. That's what we're seeing with climate change.”

In short, Jesus teaches that “the believer is one who does not limit himself to appearing outwardly Christian, but [is the one who] actively acts as a Christian. And it is precisely this 'operational coherence' that allows him to build up himself not only in the regular moments of life, but [lets him” remain so even in difficult times. This also means that faith does not protect us from the elements, but, accompanied by good works, it strengthens us and makes us able to resist them.”

It is on the basis of the preservation of Christian values that Francis said that “in the utilitarian logic of the market, [competition] can push towards conflict and even the elimination of others. It creates the illusion that one can beat others or that the others’ defeat is due to the vagaries of the economy. When this happens, the trust that allows the market itself to function properly is jeopardised.

“Competition must be a stimulus to do better and well, not [kindle] a desire to dominate and exclude. This is why transparency in decision-making processes and economic choices is fundamental. Competition and transparency go together. 

This “makes it possible to avoid unfair competition, which in the economic and labour fields often means job losses, as well as support for unreported or underpaid work. This ends up favouring forms of corruption that are fed into the dark world of illegality and injustice. And this is not the right path; it is a road that sickens, it is not good.”

“Responsibility and sustainability. Never as in our times, have we heard so much about sustainability: it raises questions about the capacity of each ecosystem to regenerate itself. In the construction industry, the use of materials that offer safety to people is fundamental. 

“At the same time, we must avoid exploiting the environment by helping make some particularly exploited territories unlivable. Every company can make its own responsible contribution to making work sustainable. In addition, sustainability has to do with the beauty of places and the quality of relationships.”

Indeed, the reference to the beauty of places led Francis to insist that, in addition to reliance on technical disciplines, housing and neighbourhood designs are “even more valuable to serve another type of beauty: the quality of life of people, their harmony with the environment, their mutual outreach and help. 

“This is also why it is so important that the point of view of locals always be allowed to contribute to urban analysis and planning. May your work help communities strengthen the bonds of solidarity, cooperation and mutual help.”

Finally, Francis stressed the need to protect workers. "Last year there were many, too many deaths at work. These are people, not numbers. Construction sites have also experienced tragedies that we cannot ignore. Unfortunately, if you look at workplace safety as a cost, you start from a wrong assumption. 

“People are the real wealth. Without them there is no working community, there is no business, there is no economy. Workplace safety means safeguarding human resources, which are invaluable in the eyes of God but also in the eyes of real business people. For this reason, the law should be seen as the protector of the greatest resource, i.e., people.

“Working safely allows everyone to express the best of themselves by earning their daily bread. The more we take care of the dignity of work, the more we are sure that the quality and beauty of the work carried out will improve.”

[*] Associazione Italiana di Costruttori Edili.

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• Italian builders
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• jesus
• parable