The official journal
of the Human Family
Foundation, "Sequela" is short for
"Sequela Christi" (the following of Christ).
This holding fast to the very person of Jesus
is the simple essence of the Christian life.
(cf. VS, 19)
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The Global Economy: Having versus Being
Featured Friends
Fr. Timothy Vaverek
"Christian Acseticism: Breaking the Grip of Consumerism"
Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap
"God and the Marketplace: Why and Where He Belongs"
Distributism: An Economic Proposal Espoused by GK Chesterton et al
An Introduction to Distributism
A Critique of Distributism by Fr. Richard John Neuhaus
Responses to Neuhaus
Economy of Communion
An Attempt to Live a Christian Form of Economy Initiated by Focolare
Fr. Joseph Wresinski
A French priest who dedicated his life to the poor and founded a volunteer organization to work in solidarity with those caught in the cycle of poverty.
Joe Scheidler
NOW vs Scheidler Case
Editorial
Without a doubt, there are many positive aspects to globalization.
However, as globalization advances there are many realities which cry out for attention.
For example, while the global economy has provided unprecedented improvements in communications, science and medicine, more people now than any other time in history suffer from
severe poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow
more extreme. This fact alone should force us to critically reflect
on how globalization is changing the nature of communities and culture.
Is it a matter of spreading the wealth and technology? Is it a matter
of empowerment? Or is the rise of a consumer driven global economy
changing values to a point where true sharing is no longer a sincere option
for those who are already empowered? Will the global economy, in
the way that it is currently developing, inevitably ingrain a certain set
of priorities which reduces the dignity of the person? John Paul
II has characterized one aspect of the challenge in the following way:
he says, "It is not wrong to want to live better; what is wrong is a style
of life which is presumed to be better when it is directed towards 'having'
rather than 'being,' and which wants to have more, not in order to be more
but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself." (Centesimus
Annus 35) The Holy Father also states that a misappropriation
of priorities will lead to a certain bankruptcy.
When individuals and communities do not have a rigorous respect
for the moral, cultural, and spiritual requirements, based on the dignity
of the person and on the proper identity of each community, beginning with
the family and religious communities, then all the rest--availability of
goods, abundance of technical resources applied to daily life, a certain
level of material well-being--will prove unsatisfying and in the end, contemptible.
(Solicitudo Rei Solicialis 33)
In this issue we introduce some thoughts surrounding the rise of the global
economy. Fr. Vaverek and Archbishop Chaput write on the personal and family
challenges in today's economic environment. Distributism deserves
some thought for the mere fact that it was promoted by the great figures
Hilliare Belloc and G.K. Chesterton (no pun intended). Perhaps in its nascent form,
distributism is rather unimaginable today. However, perhaps it can
serve as inspiration for an alternative economic model. The Economy
of Communion initiated by Focolare may in fact be an alternative model.
At the very least it deserves recognition and consideration. Fr.
Joseph Wresinski dedicated his life to the poor and his example and spirituality
continues on today in several countries around the world. His life
and work are quite inspiring. Because Joe Scheidler has been one
of the most active defenders of human life in the United States, the National
Organization of Women sued him as a racketeer and they won.
The humble courage that he and his family have displayed in the face of financial
disaster among other things represent an admirable set of priorities.
He is appealing the decision. Please read about it.
Mo, Editor
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