Literature critical of neoliberlism from a variety of Christian perspectives is on the increase. Titles include "Caring for Souls in a Neoliberal Age" by Bruce Rogers-Vaughn and "Naming Liberalism: Exploring the Spirit of the Age" by Rodney Clapp. "Send Lazarus," the work of two professors at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, is distinctive in how it builds on the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
Eggemeier and Fritz begin by setting forth statements against neoliberalism from the three latest popes, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, who are shown to complement each other even as each in turn advances the development of Catholic Social Teaching. For example, each of the three condemns economism, the belief that reduces human labor to its economic value and subsequently reduces virtually all of life to its economic aspects.
Advocates of neoliberalism are often secretive about naming what it is they promote. This reflects the alleged mysteriousness of the market, but also conceals the terrible moral implications of market sovereignty. In contrast, the authors of this critique forthrightly identify neoliberalism as "a utopian form of political economy under which wealthy owners of capital wage class warfare on everyone else" and more broadly as "a comprehensive ontology that regards all of reality as marketized or marketizable" and that promotes an ethic of mercilessness.
Eggemeier and Fritz go on to identify four current crises exacerbated and perpetuated by neoliberalism: environmental devastation, slum proliferation, mass incarceration, and mass deportation. Although global, these crises result in large part from decisions made in the United States. They are distinctly neoliberal crises, based on an enhanced willingness to sacrifice ecosystems and persons to the market ad to reconstitute and promote racism. Two contributions from Francis shed light on these developments: his analysis of indifference as a result of capitulation to the demands of market culture, and his analysis of shamelessness as a result of corruption that fails to recognize the need for forgiveness, but attacks truth itself.
The authors set forth a n alternative to neoliberalism reflecting the Cathoic message of mercy, derived from faith in the Trinity. Against human capital anthropology, widely promoted through reality TV, they propose a neighbor anthropology and an innkeep ecclesiology, both based on the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37). Against the neoliberal ethic of mercilessness, the authors offer an extended meditation on corporal works of mercy--feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, ransom the captive, shelter the homeless, visit the sick (Matthew 25:31-46). These ancient admonitions lead to remarkably appropriate strategies for confronting contemporary global crises. A theology of mercy can undergird a politics of mercy and lead to a global order characterized by sustainability, dignified life, freedom, and hospitality.
As a priest of the Episcopal Church, I find Catholic Social Teaching a tremendous and encouraging resource available to all Christians and the entire human family. "Send Lazarus" uses CST effectively to promote the current and future struggle necessary for the liberation of the earth and all its peoples. This struggle will not bring in the fullness of the kingdom of God, which awaits Christ's Second Coming.
However, as Benedict XVI reminds us, we aim for "as a social order organized to prevent the advance
of hell upon the earth." Eggemeier and Fritz have given us a roadmap to that goal. Their book deserves a wide readership.
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