Archbishop Marx writes Das Kapital

BY STAFF REPORTER
ARCHBISHOP Reinhard Marx of Munich has written a book named after the groundbreaking work by his 19thcentury namesake.
During the launch of the book, Das Kapital: A Plea for Man, the archbishop said the financial crisis required a "fundamental social debate" and raised questions about the capacity of contemporary economies to "ensure the welfare of the world". Archbishop Marx said he had been "provoked into a detailed observation" of Marx by sharing the same surname, but said readers should not expect a defence of Marxism.
"Catholic social teaching sees Karl Marx as a great opponent," said Archbishop Marx, head of the committee for social issues of Germany's bishops' conference. But we have to show an interest in him, so as not to re-embark on the same mistaken path which had terrible consequences in the 20th century.
Archbishop Marx said the Church's social teaching has "stood the test of time" whereas "Marxist ideas haven't".