I refer to Caroline Galea’s article entitled “The living wage paradox” (TMIS, 28 November) in which she sang the praises of the encyclical Rerum Novarum, issued by Pope Leo X111 in 1891, which dealt with the condition of labourers during the industrial revolution. There is no doubt as to the sincerity of intention revealed in the encyclical and to the spirit that prompted it. However, history has taught us that even with the best of intentions blunders have been committed that caused undue sufferings to those to whom such acts were intended to alleviate.

This encyclical is at the forefront of such blunders as it has conditioned the labouring classes to the dictates of those who have, with the approval of the Church, usurped the natural resources provided by the Creator for all generations, enabling the wealthy to get wealthier and the poor poorer.

Rather than safeguarding the right to private property, which right emanates only from the result of labour on the resources provided by God for all generations, the encyclical sanctioned the usurpation of God’s gifts by declaring that land can be considered as private property, which goes against Christian belief and practices, as all land was considered the domain of all without distinction. Thus the Church ratified the creation of a new class of landowners; and subsequently the Church itself became the biggest landowner in nearly all of Europe.

Before, in accordance with Christian practice and belief, land was distributed among all families and clans and redistributed every 50 years during “The Year of the Jubilee”. Such biblical orientation, based on the fundamental Christian teaching that “God has granted the earth to mankind in general” was discarded when land began to be considered as private property.

The encyclical was immediately ably criticised by the American Catholic philosopher Henry George who sent an “Open letter” to Pope Leo. This letter can be seen on the Internet by clicking onto “An open letter to Pope Leo X111”.

I urge all leaders of the working class to pursue the teachings of Henry George so as to be enlightened why poverty still persists amid increasing wealth. The living wage is only a mirage, sustainable for a short time of admiration and enjoyment. Poverty can only be eradicated by eliminating its cause and by observance of the natural laws.

Joseph P. Borg

SWIEQI