DETROIT (July 7, 2009) – The landmark encyclical issued today by Pope Benedict XVI addressing the causes of the current global economic crisis could have been titled, "The Curse of the Mad Scientists," according to Professor Harry Veryser, director of the graduate studies in economics at the University of Detroit Mercy.

"Pope Benedict has done the world a great service by pointing the finger of blame for our current economic crisis where it belongs, at scientists and leaders who have abandoned traditional morals and ethics in pursuit of financial gain," Veryser said. "Many of the worst problems today can be traced to moral relativism and a lack of ethics by people who know better."

In his 52-page letter, Caritatis in Veritate, which means "Charity in Truth," the pope says the world’s leaders in business, economics, politics, biology, science and other fields too often act as if nothing matters except short-term goals and profit. Benedict writes that the solution is to "rediscover fundamental values on which to build a better future." Speaking directly about the current economic meltdown, Benedict says that everyone needs to recognize that "every economic decision has a moral consequence."

"Benedict reminds us that each and person is blessed with God-given dignity that must be respected at every level," Veryser said. "The pope says it well when he writes that we cannot have a sane world, 'without upright men and women, without financiers and politicians whose consciences are finely attuned to the requirements of the common good.' "

Veryser said he was especially delighted that Benedict linked worldwide economic progress with the importance of population growth and respect for the right to life.

"Fifty years ago scientists at the Club of Rome said we faced overpopulation, and people took their advice seriously. And now, Benedict is explaining to the reason whole countries in Europe and elsewhere are facing a loss of population that threatens their cultural survival and identity is science lost touch with morality," Veryser said.

"And now, today, we see the same kind of thing with the environment. Scientists are moving very rapidly with supposed to problems that are not based on clear science. We have reason to be sceptical," Veryser added.

"Benedict has given us a balanced approach to dealing with a wide variety of issues; globalization, poverty, religious persecution, environmentalism, population, fundamentalism and the economy," Veryser said. "The critical thing is that, in most of these areas the ethical behaviour of individuals makes all the difference in the world."



Professor Veryser has taught economics for 35 years and was chairman of his family’s 50-year-old stampings plant in Fraser, Michigan, that was a supplier to the auto industry for several decades. His articles have appeared in The Detroit News, The Intercollegiate Review and The University Bookman. He is the author of Our Economic Crisis: Sources and Solutions. His bio is on the UDM Web site: http://liberalarts.udmercy.edu/faculty/econ/veryser-harry.htm

Other Recent Stories:	Post a comment Name * Email * Comment Enter letters from picture * * You must fill the fields marked with a red asterisk.