Here's a quote from Pope Gregory the Great [540-604]:
We must make humans understand that the land that gives humans their income is the common property of all humanity and that its fruits are for the common benefit. Accordingly, it is absurd for people to think they are not thieves when they fail to pass on what they have received to their neighbours. Absurd because almost as many people die daily as there are rations locked up for use at home. Really when we administer any necessities to the poor, we are simply giving them their own. We are not bestowing our goods upon them, we are not fulfilling works of mercy, we are simply discharging the debt of justice. What was given by a common God is only justly used when those who have received it use it for a common good.
Maybe that's why they called him great. Interesting parallel with calling Gandhi 'Mahatma' [Great Soul].
Somehow I don't think either would have had much sympathy with Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir who recently had great difficulty getting his luxury yacht [about US$4.5 M] delivered in time to impress his buddies in the African Union at last week's meeting.
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