“Economy of Life” versus “Economy of Greed”: The World Council of Churches Promoting Sustainability Cover Image

„Ekonomia życia” wobec „ekonomii chciwości”. Światowa Rada Kościołów na rzecz zrównoważonego rozwoju
“Economy of Life” versus “Economy of Greed”: The World Council of Churches Promoting Sustainability

Author(s): Przemysław Kantyka
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Pastoral Theology
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: World Council of Churches; economy of life; poverty; justice; sustainability; globalization

Summary/Abstract: The article describes one of the key social documents of the World Council of Churches: Economy of Life, Justice, and Peace for All: A Call to Action. The document issued in 2012 is a crowning of six-years process of studies called AGAPE (Alternative Globalization Addressing People and Earth). At the basis of the document lies the conviction about the necessity to confront the unjust world economic system. Neoliberal fundamentalism of the free market creates the “structures of sin” based on the economy of greed and egotism. Economical growth in these structures brings benefits only to the rich, leaving the poor even poorer.The study group of the WCC proposes to reverse the neoliberal paradigm by “affirmation of life” and “transformative spirituality.” “Economy of life” should lead to sustainability, through which everyone’s basic needs will be met. The Churches are called to join and promote the “economy of life” by various means, e.g. by promoting the idea of the “fair trade.”

  • Issue Year: 63/2016
  • Issue No: 07
  • Page Range: 265-274
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish