Pope Francis: ‘Freedom threatened
by poverty, technology, consumerism’
In a video message, Pope Francis invites Christians to work
together to overcome obstacles to freedom. He reflects on the challenges
presented by extreme poverty, technological domination, and the reduction of
the person to a consumer.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis sent a video message on Thursday to
participants in the 8th Festival of the Social Doctrine of the
Church, taking place in the Italian city of Verona on 22-25 November.
The Holy Father said the event’s theme – “The risk of
freedom” – invites reflection on what has always underpinned the experience of
men, women, societies, and civilizations. “As Christians,” he noted, “we are
called to be attentive and vigilant so that the ‘risk of freedom’ does not lose
its highest and most demanding meaning.”
“To risk means getting involved.”
The Pope said Christians must work together to overcome
“whatever deprives men and women of the treasure of freedom.”
Pope Francis then spoke about three situations in which
people have difficulty living their God-given freedom: extreme poverty,
technological domination, and reduction of the person to a consumer.
Indigence
The Holy Father said indigence, or extreme hardship and
poverty, is caused by “great injustices” that come from the culture of waste,
which views people as “leftovers”.
“If a man or woman is reduced to ‘surplus material’… they
are robbed of the very possibility of ‘risking’ their own freedom to better
themselves, or their family, in search of a good, just, and dignified life.”
Domination of technology
Pope Francis said technological development can also
negatively impact human freedom, “when it is not accompanied by adequate
improvements in responsibility, values, and conscience.”
“The sense of limits is lost,” the Pope said, “resulting in
an inability to perceive the epochal challenges with which we are faced. The
absolutization of technology can turn against humanity.”
Mere consumer
Lastly, Pope Francis said there is a danger of reducing
people to mere consumers. He said the freedom to risk becomes an illusion.
“This paradigm leads people to believe that they are free as
long as they have the supposed freedom to consume. But those really free are
the minority who wield economic and financial power (LS 203).
He called this illusion of freedom a type of slavery: “daily
life comes to be marked by resignation, distrust, fear, and closure.”
Risk of freedom
Pope Francis also invited participants in the Social
Doctrine Festival not to lose the desire to “risk” their freedom.
He said Festival participants will hear testimonies of
people who have rediscovered their freedom after escaping from situations of
prostitution and usury. “They are stories of liberation in act, which give
strength and hope. They help us to say ‘Yes! The risk of freedom is possible!’”
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