Neoliberalism contradicts Christian faith, Argentine forum says

From a story by the Latin American and Caribbean Communication Agency (ALC), April 2003

All the problems created by neoliberal economic globalization are interconnected, says a south-south forum of Alliance member churches. "They aggravate each other in disastrous ways, constantly estranging us from the God of life and fullness of life... The economy, designed to sustain life and the wellbeing of all, has become a totalitarian system of wealth accumulation for the few, endangering life on our planet as a whole."

The forum, held in Buenos Aires at the end of April, brought together representatives from 24 Alliance churches in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific, all of which experience at first hand the serious consequences of neoliberal globalization.

In their final declaration, they describe the prevailing system as "structural sin".

"Globalized neoliberalism is in complete contradiction to the central tenets of the Christian faith," they say.

Participants heard testimonies from church representatives in all continents and also studied the declarations of ecumenical Christian organizations.

"We are clearly living in a new stage of capitalism, which combines all forms of power and affects all dimensions of life. The capitalist system has switched its focus from production to finance," they say.

"A global financial empire is bolstered by military, political and ideological power, and its forces determine the survival of the countries and people at the periphery. The market empire and military forces oppress us at all levels, social, political, economic, ecological and spiritual, creating crises for all peoples and all countries in the world," their declaration adds.

From a story by the Latin American and Caribbean Communication Agency (ALC)