The Pope issued his latest encyclical today - Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). In it he suggests that there is urgent need for a true world political authority..........oh what the hell, here is part of what he said:
"To manage the global economy; to revive economies hit by the crisis; to avoid any deterioration of the present crisis and the greater imbalances that would result; to bring about integral and timely disarmament, food security and peace; to guarantee the protection of the environment and to regulate migration: for all this, there is urgent need of a true world political authority, as my predecessor Blessed John XXIII indicated some years ago.
Such an authority would need to be regulated by law, to observe consistently the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, to seek to establish the common good, and to make a commitment to securing authentic integral human development inspired by the values of charity in truth.
Furthermore, such an authority would need to be universally recognized and to be vested with the effective power to ensure security for all, regard for justice, and respect for rights.
Obviously it would have to have the authority to ensure compliance with its decisions from all parties, and also with the coordinated measures adopted in various international forums. Without this, despite the great progress accomplished in various sectors, international law would risk being conditioned by the balance of power among the strongest nations."
What is stunning to me is the naivety that underlies this kind of message. Lets put aside the assumption that this is a good idea (which it most definitely is not). Short of invasion from another planet (see Will Smith in Independence Day) what would cause world leaders to submit to any global authority? Is there unanimity at the United Nations - ever? Not that I can remember, and why should there be? Like everything else that is true of the Pope and his church its only the needs and aspirations of ordinary people (just about everyone) that are ignored. Remember the Pope is a celibate priest that frowns upon birth control and advises his constituency not to use condoms even if it might prevent HIV-AIDS. Whose side is he on? Not yours.
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