Last summer the Vatican announced the 10 Commandments for motorists. In May it amended the church’s list of sins to include harming Mother Earth, joining the ranks of gluttony, envy, sloth and other less desirable traits. It’s nice to see this modernizing of religious principle, but Pope Benedict XVI conveniently omitted ‘thou shall not indulge.’ In a society so preoccupied with consumerism, industry and progress, why not chime in on our lifestyle of excess? Perhaps that’s because, according to Newsweek, the Pope’s visit to Washington, D.C. earlier this month was marred by the peculiar decision to sport Prada shoes. Perhaps it’s a desire to stimulate the local Italian economy or, Pope Benedict XVI is simply a label whore. For those of you, like myself, who have never stepped foot in a Prada store, a pair of men’s shoes will typically cost you between $300-400. With unprecedented levels of poverty in the world, and an increasing divide between rich and poor, I’d be curious to know how Mother Theresa or Gandhi would feel about the lavish wardrobe. It certainly makes me think twice when the Catholics come by with their second collection basket at Sunday Mass.
