Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's . . .

. . . but render unto God what is His.

The Vatican called on Monday for the establishment of a “global public authority” and a “central world bank” to rule over financial institutions that have become outdated and often ineffective in dealing fairly with crises.

It called for the establishment of “a supranational authority” with worldwide scope and “universal jurisdiction” to guide economic policies and decisions.

Good Lord.  I consider myself a devout, albeit imperfect, Roman Catholic.  But, Holy Father, check your Justice and Peace Department.  The thought of a "central world bank" - especially if it were to be under the aegis of a body such as the United Nations - is frightening.  I could see corruption running rampant and the "distribution" subject to cronyism and blackmail.

And is this really in the authority of the Vatican.  One of my priest friends remarked about this, "Fortunately, the Church has never claimed to be infallible in matters of economics."  And  nor should it be.  I would ask that the Vatican stick to the game plan of its founding - winning souls for Heaven.  Leave Caesar's material world to Caesar.

Why do I have the heebie-jeebies about this.  Something about the Church seeking to influence global finance has an uneasy eschatological feel to it.