Catholic Church in England and Wales issues 40-page booklet in defense of taxation

The Catholic Church has launched a passionate defence of one of society’s most reviled features — taxes.

In a 40-page booklet entitled “Taxation for the Common Good”, the Church of England and Wales argued that instead of an unfair penalty, taxation should be seen as a way all people can play a moral part in public life.

“Taxes are very much based on the principles of solidarity, which is based on the commandment to love your neighbour,” former Bishop Howard Tripp, Chairman of the Church’s Committee for Public Life, told Reuters on Monday.

“This document is suggesting taxes are a way to play our part and it is something we should be pleased to do…It’s all part of our duty to our neighbour, stemming from our duty as social animals,” he said.

I can’t disagree with that, really (of course some of you will set me straight), but when I read church statements supportive of government taxation policies, I can’t help but hear a subtext of “….after all, the more the government spends on social services, the less we feel we have to……”