The coordinator of Europe’s Catholic justice and peace commissions has welcomed interest in a new church-backed report, which demanded tougher government action against tax evasion and financial dishonesty. “Consultations are under way and church interventions are having a real impact,” said Dominican Father Henrik Alberius, Swedish coordinator of the Paris-based Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions. “Through his own simple lifestyle, the new pope (Francis) is clearly setting an important example and helping reconnect the church’s message of human rights, reconciliation and development with people’s real concerns.” Father Alberius told Catholic News Service that some Catholics had been reluctant to tackle “big economic and social questions,” but added that the report — which set out measures to protect democracy against financial abuses — formed part of church efforts to promote social justice in Europe.
