Poverty, and People Ain’t the Problem
A rich world and a vibrant economy can and should end poverty said Pope Francis on February 5th in an address at a Vatican conference on ‘New Forms of Solidarity’.
We have heard this before, from John Kennedy’s and Lyndon Johnson’s ‘war on poverty’, back to the great leveling impetus of socialism. The problem, of course, is that poverty can never be ‘ended’, not least since Christ declared that the poor we will always have with us. And there will always be forms of poverty in this world, spiritual, intellectual, moral as well as economic, which will always be re-defined relatively. Someone who is ‘poor’ in Canada is far richer than someone ‘poor’ in Liberia.
Call me a stickler for language, but I would much prefer to Pontiff to say we should alleviate, palliate or mitigate poverty, or perhaps the effects of poverty, and work to instill virtue in people, so that we may live in as much harmony as we might in this vale of tears.
The same conference also had Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia university Keynsian economist, attack the United States, as well as Donald Trump specifically by name, warning of the dangers of his re-election, with nary a word of dissent, but rather signs of approval amongst the episcopacy present. Sachs has exhorted Catholics – and everyone else – to have ‘no more than one or two children’. Keeping in mind that the minimum replacement rate for any population is at least 2.1 children per woman – prescinding from such vagaries as plagues and such – I suppose the extinction of the human race is one way to end poverty.
All this at a conference held at the Vatican. The sooner this farce ends, the better.
While on ending the human race, Quebec’s minister of health, a certain Danielle McCann, has called for easier and more widespread access to late-term abortions. In a province, may we remind the reader, with one of the lowest birth rates in the world, ensuring the extinction of Quebecers within a few generations. Hence, their desire to prop up their language and what is left of their ‘culture’ by draconian laws. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind, with Rachel weeping for her children, who would not be.
Carney’s Amoral Majority
After five defections – euphemistically described as ‘crossing the floor’ – and three by-elections, Mark Carney and his Liberals how have their coveted majority. One wonders what bowls of pottage were offered in back-room deals. In the archaic monarchical system that is the Dominion of Canada, this majority allows the newly-minted Prime Minister to rule[…]Continue reading→
Saint Kateri , Canada’s Protectress
This was the title given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, by Pope Benedict XVI, when he canonized her on October 28th, 2012, along with six others, in Saint Peter’ Square (she had been beatified by Pope John Paul II back in 1980). With Saint Joseph as our protector, along with the Canadian martyrs, we seem to[…]Continue reading→
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
A Tale of Two Benedicts
A grace-filled Holy Week to all our readers! As we await and prepare for the Resurrection about to dawn upon us, we might keep in mind two Benedicts: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, requiescat in pace, elected on this day in 2005; and today’s commemoration of the mystic pilgrim, Benedict Joseph Labre, who died on this[…]Continue reading→
My Name is Bernadette
April 16th is a propitious day, for besides the anniversary of Father de Valk’s death, who founded Catholic Insight in its print form decades ago, and the commemoration of the ‘two Benedicts’, mentioned in accompanying posts, today we also recall Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary to whom the Virgin Mary appeared numerous times at[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam and Suffering Joyfully
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam (1380 – 1433) was one of the countless and glorious ‘victim souls’ in the history of the Church, those whose lives are filled with suffering, often of an unimaginable intensity, but who suffer joyfully. She was a fifteen-year old Dutch girl, out skating one day, when she fell and broke one[…]Continue reading→
The Glorious Martyrdoms of Martin and Maximus
As we enter into Eastertide, we recall on this 13th of April Pope Saint Martin I (+655), one of the noblest, if most tragic, of the successors of Saint Peter. Born in Umbria, Italy, he was of noble lineage, with great intelligence combined with charity and love of the poor and the Church. While still[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→