A great encyclical rich in truth

by Letters Editor · August 12, 2009

When reading Pope Benedict�s encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), I wondered what he meant by that title.

Charity means more than just acting kindly and generously towards others, as in the parable of the Good Samaritan. I echo Pilate�s immortal question: What is truth?

Finding the encyclical rich in the truth of Gospel messages, I conclude that the driving force Pope Benedict writes of originates in Christ.

I was unhappy with your front-page headline �Pope Benedict slams capitalist greed� (July 15-21). Our pope is not slamming any particular ideology, organisation, segment of society or individual. This does not encourage people to read the encyclical in its entirety; all should heed the wisdom it contains.

Your editorial in the same edition is an excellent synopsis of the major points made by Pope Benedict. As he said: �It is not the instrument that must be called to account but individuals, their moral conscience, and their personal and social responsibility�. This makes clear his direction in this encyclical.

As a feminist, I find the use of exclusive language disconcerting, especially if Pope Benedict wants to be heeded by the wider world. I wonder if he gave thought to that half of humanity which is always somehow at the lower end of the socio-economic scale when he wrote: �There cannot be holistic development and universal common good unless people’s spiritual and moral welfare is taken into account, considered in their totality as body and soul.�

Rosemary Gravenor, Durban