Occupy Movements: The People Have No Right To Invade Private Property
In the United Sates we have seen the Occupy Movement take over public
and private properties for a considerable amount of time. The movement
left the scene but has not disappeared. It is waiting in the background
for an opportunity to enter the stage again.
In South America, especially in Brazil, we know that the Landless Movement (Movimento dos Sem-Terra),
duly supported by the government and inspired by the clergy linked to
Liberation Theology, has long been promoting the invasion and takeover
of large and medium private farms.
These actions are condemned by the Church, as expressed in the following excerpt by Leo XIII:
These actions are condemned by the Church, as expressed in the following excerpt by Leo XIII:
Pope Leo XIII
It is the foremost duty of governments to assure private property by means of wise laws. Especially today, when the ardor of unbridled greed is so strong, it is necessary that the people should remain within the line of duty. For, although justice gives them the right to strive to better their condition, neither justice nor the public good allows any individual to damage the land of another, nor to infringe on another's rights under any pretext whatsoever of equality.
Leo XIII, Encyclical Rerum novarum, of May 15, 1893,
Petrópolis, Vozes. pp. 27-28.)
Petrópolis, Vozes. pp. 27-28.)