Charity in Truth (2009)

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Relevance of charity in truth
This document still speaks to the present-day people on various issues. Issues that when
properly addressed by those concerned with make a world a better place.
1. It calls for the civilization of the economy. (CV 38). The economic initiatives which is
without rejecting profits, aim at a higher goal than the mere logic of the exchange of
equivalents, of profits as an end in itself.
2. It calls for the full development of the human person which is founded or established on the
principles of common good.
3. The pope points out the new form of poverty which is isolation. In our world today, most
people are isolated which has led many to commit suicide especially in the developed
countries while some isolate themselves using their phones as their companion. There is a
great need to have a life of communal as most people are rich but feel lonely and in crowd
most feel lonely.
4. The Pope warms that in boosting the world’s economic and social assets especially the
government that the primary capital to be “safeguarded and valued is man, the human person
in h/her integrity” (CV, 25) noting that man is the source, the focus and the aim of all
economic and social life. The human person is the centered of all economic decisions.
5. The international tourism no doubt leads to economic development and cultural growth but
can also become an occasion for exploitation and moral degradation which is true in some
part of Africa like Kenya (Mombasa). In some cases, international tourism has negative
educational impact both for the tourist and the local populace. The pope noted about sex
tourism saying "it is sad to note that this activity takes place with the support of local
governments, with silence from those in the tourists' countries of origin, and with the
complicity of many of the tour operators" (CV 61). The pope urged for a different promotion
form of tourism that has a healthy recreation.

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6. The pope acknowledged that migration is a phenomenon worthy of attention because of the
national and international challenges that it poses of which no country can address it on its
own. The pope noted that the migrants makes contribution to the host countries and also
while sending money back contributes to their country of origin and as such that “every
migrant is a human person who as such possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must
be respected by everyone and every circumstance” (CV 62). The pope warms because the
migrants are not to be considered as a mere workforce and further warm that they should not
be treated like any other factor of production. This is relevance because today, most migrants
are treated less of human (Arab countries) and some even exploited because most are forced
by circumstances. The Pope’s message encourages world leaders to find solution to migration
crisis and respect the dignity of the migrants.
7. The encyclical noted that there is a direct link between poverty and unemployment. The two
touches on Africa most. That the root causes are as result of violation of the dignity of human
work, or work opportunities are limited or, because of unjust wages and to personal security
of the worker and h/her family. Amid this crisis, the pope strongly and objectively
encouraged decent work that does not compromises the dignity of the human person. The
pope noted that a decent work is a work that “enables the worker to be respected and free
from any form of discrimination; work that makes it possible for families to meet their needs
and provide schooling for their children, without the children themselves being forced into
labor; work that permits the workers to organize themselves freely and to make their voices
heard; …” (CV 64). This message is still important as most young people due to globalization
considers any form of income generating as employment not considering the dignity in that
work.
8. The encyclical addressed food shortage as a threat to poor countries. Food shortage is caused
by shortage of social resources. The pope advised that long term solutions are needed through

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eliminating the structural causes that give rise to it and promoting the agricultural
development of poorer countries though investing in rural infrastructures, irrigation systems,
transport, organization of markets, and in the development and dissemination of agricultural
technology” (CV, 7). The poor countries using the advice of the pope can solve the problem
of food shortage. In Kenya, the Northern part almost yearly requires food aids. The document
is relevance because it gives solution to the food shortage.
9. Respect for life is an aspect of development of people. The pope warms against demographic
control as government promoting contraception and even impose abortion which is mostly
found in developed countries which the pope noted to be fallacious if it is seen as reason for
underdevelopment. The pope noted the evil promoted by the NGOs in poor countries that
does not respect life like sterilization. The development attaching strings to development aids.
Furthermore, the pope is strongly against laws permitting euthanasia. This is relevance as it
helps in most debates in some countries on respect for life and control of population. Most
people have believed that Africa is underdeveloped because of the high population and have
used various means to reduce the population.
10. The document emphasizes the need to put God first in almost all human activity. That
Without God, development becomes negative, "dehumanized"
11. The environment is a gift of God’s to everyone. Nature reveals God to us. The pope warms
that in the use of the environment for our legitimate needs, material or otherwise, we should
note that we have the responsibility toward the poor, towards the future generations and
towards humanity as a whole (CV 48). In true development, that nature should not be viewed
as more important than the human. There is a believe in Kenya, that the nature is most
important than the human and that leads to more of animal rights.
The pope further noted that the great obstacle to development in poorer countries is the fact
“that some States, power groups and companies hoard non-renewable energy resources” (CV,

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49). The pope challenged that international community should use institutional means of
regulating exploitation of non-renewable resources. This has helped most countries and the
pope further noted “the way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats
itself an vice versa” (CV, 51) because if the environment is over exploited likewise human
will be treated the same.
12. The pope warms about the use of technology as a means to answering all earthly questions
and mysteries and further emphasis on the illusion caused by the use of technology. There is
a general believe that with technology all human problems can be solved and no need of God
which is an illusion that the pope addressed.
13. The pope emphasis on the principle of subsidiarity (CV, 58) noting that the principle requires
that international development agencies or governments that genuinely wish help local
communities in poor countries must be willing to allow the people of these communities to
decide the kind of help they want. This form of assistance as been noted to be a new form of
salve trade or recolonization which is evident in most developing countries.
14. The relation between a person must trump the relation between the goods exchanged. In the
world of capitalism, there should exit a form of solidarity and mutual trust with each other.
15. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated: ‘‘Pope Benedict has encouraged the state leaders
to create rules so that this sort of worldwide economic crisis isn’t repeated’’, and echoing the
German social market economy, inspired to a great extent by Catholic social teaching. The
message of CV is of great relevance to world leaders as most workshops were held to discuss
the pope’s message.
16. The pope calls on new model of enterprises that would has an economy of communion where
social purposes, such as providing employment, would be combined with making profits.
17. It warms that religious fanaticism is hindrance to development. This is evidence as most
countries that engages in religious violence are still undeveloped as investors might not be

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willing to invest in unstable society. For instance, Boko Haram in Nigeria, Somalia war,
among other Islamic countries flighting for Islamic state, Central Republic of Africa and
among many others.
The pope’s message is still relevance as he touches on key areas that are affecting the
world and people. There is held till today to keep reflecting on the message of the pope.
There is need for people to live together with respect to the human dignity and right. The
development of the human person is key to the development of the world.