DE POLITICA ÔCONOMICA

G e n e r a l C h a p t e r	B o l o g n a '9 8
Order of Preachers

CAPUT VII DE POLITICA ÔCONOMICA

"· A return to an evident simplicity of life would give a new authority to our words, would bind us together in more profound community, and would attract many and surely excellent vocations."· (Relatio Magistri Ordinis de statu ordinis (1998) 5, 5). 1. The manner of dealing with economic affairs expresses today what a person or group actually believes and where they really place their trust: "Where your treasure is, there also is your heart." (Mt 6: 21) Not only our preaching, but also our economic administration must be a visible sign that we have placed our trust in the Lord; sharing our economic resources, maintaining our properties and using all in the service of others ö especially in a world where differences in the level and quality of life are so evident.

At certain decisive moments (kairoV) we ö either personally or communitarily ö may be called to cut ourselves free from possessions that we have acquired. The accumulation of goods, whether at a local, national, or international level, is in contradiction with the preaching of the justice of God öwhich is the priority of the community.

On a personal level each of us has to discern how best to satisfy both our own genuine needs as well as those of others, without being engulfed by that vast display of goods that our consumerist world induces us to desire and purchase. A personâs material needs should not overwhelm the values of participation, quiet, friendship, meaning and identity that mature when we share them. Each of us is called to defend the transcendent dignity inherent in each human being. Witnessing to that is demanding, especially in the face of a market economy that frequently treats people, especially the poor, as little more than consumable goods.

The common life offers a good standard for all its members to discern the needs they have and arrange how best to satisfy the genuine ones. These will vary from person to person depending upon their qualities, character, health, duties and apostolic commitments. All of this must not be opposed to the common good.

The more one uses credit cards, computers, cars and other equipment that enable brothers to work more quickly and efficiently on their own, all the greater is the need for personal honesty, the sharing of information, accountability to the community and working out together a community budget. This budget should take into account personal needs as well as the obligations and circumstances of each of the brethren.

Our provinces and vicariates, in addition to guaranteeing the life and health of its members, maintaining a program of formation and studies and developing their apostolic work, must also use their funds, investments and goods to struggle for a more just economy, especially in a world frequently divided clearly between rich and poor, creditors and debtors, powerful and those whose very survival is diminished. Provinces, therefore, must prepare bursars who not only have the technical qualities required, but who will also be sensitive to the ethical and human problems that present themselves in a world dominated exclusively by market forces.

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