Government urged to use Catholic social teaching to decide taxation levels

Economists, academics and experts in the field have contributed to the bishops’ document, drawing on the principles that should underlie taxation from a Catholic-Christian perspective.

Governments should blend moral principles with economic analysis when working out levels of taxation, according to a new document from the bishops of England and Wales.

The document says the obligations of rich to poor do not end with taxation: “The rich will have to answer to God if they do not use their riches to support the poor more broadly.”

Economists, academics and experts in the field have contributed to the document, drawing on the principles that should underlie taxation from a Catholic-Christian perspective, taxation and the family, and the moral implications of tax avoidance and tax evasion.

In Render unto Caesar: Perspectives on taxation from Catholic social thought and teaching, from the department for social justice at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, chairman Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton says: “For many reasons, this is a challenging time for governments across Europe and difficult decisions may well have to be taken. It is vital that such decisions are informed by Christian moral teaching.”

Render unto Caesar aims to inform government policy by blending moral principles with economic analysis. It looks at the many challenges Western countries face – ageing populations, changing patterns of family life, increased conflicts, environmental challenges and the consequent fiscal pressures.

On release of the document, Bishop Moth said on the document’s release, “Sometimes, people ask why the Church should comment on political and economic matters. However, it is important that public policy in all areas of social life is informed by moral principles.

“The Church teaches that the light of faith, can, and should, help us understand better how to address the challenges facing our society.

“It is for this reason that we have commissioned a number of experts to offer their analysis of this complex question. We offer this document as a contribution to the process of deliberation that needs to take place amongst all people of goodwill.”

Authors include Anna Rowlands, who has advised the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Catholic Church and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development of the Holy See, and Ruth Kelly, former Treasury minister and now member of the Vatican Council for the Economy.

Philip Booth, director of policy and research, says in the introduction that the Church has an interest in “temporal matters” and “the light of faith can be shone on economic matters to help our understanding of them”. He argues that the state should not necessarily be the “first provider” but should create conditions so that others such as families and the Church can ensure everyone has what they need for a “dignified life”.

The dishonesty that permeates the tax debate

Speed reading: Nick Spencer on the joy of tax

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: