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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Pope: Marxism, Capitalism Hold Latin America Back

Also, contraception and secularism

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(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI blamed both capitalism and Marxism for Latin America's problems in a speech yesterday in Brazil, the world's most Catholic nation. Benedict blamed Marxism for "a painful destruction of the human spirit," but also worried that capitalism gives rise to "degradation of personal dignity through drugs, alcohol and deceptive illusions of happiness."

The Pope called for a stronger Catholic voice in politics and said legislation permitting abortion and contraception threatens the strength of families. He urged bishops to fight the erosion of Catholicism, which he blamed on the rise of "secularism, hedonism, indifferentism and proselytism by numerous sects, animist religions and new pseudo-religious phenomena,"

An aerial view shows people attending a mass by Pope Benedict XVI at the Aparecida Basilica in Aparecida, Brazil, on Sunday, May 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Juca Varella, Agencia Estado)
An aerial view shows people attending a mass by Pope Benedict XVI at the Aparecida Basilica in Aparecida, Brazil, on Sunday, May 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Juca Varella, Agencia Estado)   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI, center, meets with Brazilian bishops at the Se Cathedral, in Sao Paulo, Friday, May 11, 2007. The pontiff is in Brazil on his first trip to Latin America. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Pope Benedict XVI, center, meets with Brazilian bishops at the Se Cathedral, in Sao Paulo, Friday, May 11, 2007. The pontiff is in Brazil on his first trip to Latin America. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a ceremony to issue a stamp marking the pontiff's visit to Brazil, in Sao Paulo.
Pope Benedict XVI and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a ceremony to issue a stamp marking the pontiff's visit to Brazil, in Sao Paulo.   (Associated Press)
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