Perspectief 2013-21

Perspectief 48 prof. dr. Fred van Iersel would agree to that. But where does this lead us? Is our being an image of God a founda- tion for equality? And if so, what type of equality: equality of rights (like the rightly reaffirmed human rights); or equality of chances (everybody must have equal chances for participation into society and political life), or equality as a result of social action (equal outcome in terms of housing, education, health care, wages etcetera). Of course one doc- ument like the Agape Call for action cannot properly address all these themes. But I'd suggest a tougher and more specific reflection upon the socio-economic implications and consequences of the affirmation that all human beings are created equal by God. To which type of the above mentioned type or types of equality in economic life should this affir- mation lead humankind in face of the present global challenges? 10 Economic paradigms and perspectives Due to its focus on confessional, witnessing and spiritual language, the Agape document seems to have missed the opportunity to stimulate a debate about economic paradigms and perspectives. Should not the churches plead for a type of ´Bretton Woods II´, aiming at international standards for economic justice and compassion, and a financial system that is not a prey to speculation? 11 State interventionism into the economy Throughout its history, Christian social ethics in all denominations, manifest different ap- proaches with regard to the problem of state interventionism into economy. The variation that occurred can be explained by changes in the economic context, like the coming into being of non-communist types of state interventionism, and different approaches of the state as an institution. The current Agape document seems to avoid choices in this area. The same goes for the role of the international community in the current crises. In the Encyclical Caritas in Veritate (2009), Pope Benedict XVI has formulated an option for a new international authority to supervise the financial markets, which is now part of the Catholic Social Doctrine. Which stand does Agape take with respect to this proposal? It would be an ecumenical gesture to at least comment explicitly on this suggestion. 12 Is the Roman Catholic Church doing a better job? Since 2004 – the year in which the Compendium for the Social Doctrine of the Church was published, the Roman Catholic Church deploys strengthened efforts to implement the