Money and the Christian conscience topic of talks
October 23, 1997
Father Kenneth Himes, a moral theologian at the Washington Theological Union, discussed the topic of “How Much Is Enough? Money and the Christian Conscience” Monday.
More than 25 people attended the lecture in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union.
In his lecture, Himes discussed the correlation between faith and wealth, explaining that material goods are not intrinsically evil. The desire for goods, however, is evil, he said.
“The bottom line is that wealth must be shared,” Himes said.
Himes also argued finances must be discussed more candidly among Christians, saying the tendency to make money a private issue has far-reaching results.
“We end up worrying in private,” Himes said. “We feel guilty about spending too much and too little.”
Himes recommended that people begin to explore the resources available in the Christian community.
He also reminded those in attendance that “it is the obligation of the disciple to practice charity.”
Himes is the author of many articles on Catholic social teaching and moral theology.
He is also the co-author of “Fullness of Faith: The Public Significance of Theology” and the incoming editor of the journal “New Theology Review.”
Himes also held the McKeever Chair of Moral Theology at St. Johns University, in Jamaica, N.Y., during the 1996-97 academic year.