Profits Over People: The Moral Crisis of Our Time

By Lavoisier Fernandes –

Back in 2013, Pope Francis—then still a relatively new figure on the global stage—sparked some controversy when he made what many saw as a harsh critique of capitalism. But if you really listened, his message wasn’t about politics—it was a hard, uncomfortable question:

“How is it that when an elderly homeless person dies from the cold, it barely makes the news, but when the stock market drops by two points, it’s front-page headlines everywhere?”

It’s a question that still sticks with me. Because it forces us to confront a painful truth: we live in a world where money gets more attention than human lives. Where numbers often outweigh kindness, and where success is measured by profits rather than how we treat each other.

The Numbers Game We Live By

Look around. In today’s world, we measure success in numbers. At work, it’s KPIs and quarterly reports. On TV, it’s TRP ratings. Online, it’s likes, shares, and followers. And on Wall Street, it’s stock prices that rise and fall every minute.

None of these things are wrong. They can be useful — even necessary, as they help us track progress and set goals.

But the danger is when these numbers become everything, and when human beings are reduced to mere data points or profits on a ledger. It’s then like we’ve forgotten that people matter more than profits.

A System That Rewards Exploitation

It’s easy to point fingers at a few greedy individuals or companies, but the truth is much deeper and more systemic — and in some ways, we’re all complicit. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, released a powerful report exposing what she called an “economy of genocide.”

Her findings uncovered a tangled web of corporations profiting from conflict and suffering, whether directly or indirectly. Some of the names were chillingly familiar.

These are not just small players; they are some of the most powerful and influential companies in the world, profiting off destruction and violence.

And it doesn’t end there. Whether it’s war, environmental degradation, or luxury brands relying on cheap labour in poor countries, the story remains the same: people suffer, while others profit.

Pope Leo’s Warning: The Trillionaire Age

In a candid first interview that surprised many, Pope Leo spoke bluntly about the growing inequality in our world. “We’re in big trouble,” he said, pointing to the vast and widening gap between the ultra-rich and the rest of us.

He mentioned Elon Musk, who might soon become the world’s first trillionaire, not to single him out personally, but as a symbol of a broken system — one that allows a tiny few to hoard unimaginable wealth while millions go hungry, lose their homes, or can’t find work.

Pope Leo was also especially critical of corporate culture — of CEOs who make thousands of times more than their employees, rewarding profits without any sense of responsibility.

His message was moral at its core: when wealth becomes so concentrated, what does that say about what we truly value as a society?

Profit Isn’t the Enemy — But It’s Not the Goal

Let’s be clear: profit isn’t the enemy. In fact, the Catholic Church acknowledges that making a profit is not only legitimate, but often a sign of good business stewardship. But there’s a catch — profit must never become the ultimate goal.

According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, profit is good as it shows that resources have been used effectively. But it also warns that a business can be profitable while violating human dignity — humiliating workers, destroying communities, or damaging the environment.

St. Pope John Paul II once said, “Profit cannot be the fundamental criterion of economic life, nor the final goal of a civilization.” In other words, an economy that focuses solely on the bottom line isn’t truly working at all.

The Economy Should Serve People, Not the Other Way Around

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) couldn’t be clearer:  the economy exists to serve people, not the reverse. It’s a message repeated by popes for more than a century— with encyclicals from Rerum Novarum to Laudato Si’.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops explains it well: an economic system must “serve the dignity of the human person and the common good by respecting the dignity of work and protecting the rights of workers.”

In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis called business a “noble vocation” — but only if it contributes to the common good. Business, he said, should aim for more than quarterly earnings. It should aim to uplift people, to build a just society, and to ensure that goods and services are accessible to all.

Solidarity and Profit Can Co-exist.

One of the great insights of modern Church teaching is that profit and solidarity don’t have to be enemies. The problem arises when profit becomes the only value in the room.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith put it plainly: profit should be pursued, but not “at any cost.” That means treating workers fairly, respecting local communities, and ensuring that business decisions align with the Golden Rule — treat others the way you want to be treated.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the need for a “globalisation of solidarity,” not just trade and capital. He called on world leaders and corporations to remember that economic growth is meaningless if it doesn’t lead to human development.

When Profit Becomes an Idol

When profit is idolised, everything else becomes disposable, especially people. Veritatis Splendor reminds us that a truly moral economic system requires virtues like:

• Temperance (moderating our attachment to money and goods)
• Justice (ensuring fair treatment and equity)
• Solidarity (recognizing our shared responsibility for one another)

If we ignore these, we end up treating people as “use value” — only as tools for production or consumption. That, as the Church teaches, is a violation of both the seventh commandment and the very idea of human dignity.

Where do we go from here?

Change needs to happen, and it’s a challenge we can’t solve overnight. But change is possible through small, consistent baby step actions. Here’s what we can do:

• Hold Corporations Accountable and Research Companies: Businesses must take responsibility for labour practices and environmental impact. Use tools like GoodGuide and Ethical Consumer to track companies’ connections to defence and harmful industries.
• Support Ethical Brands: Choose companies with fair practices and certifications like Fair Trade, or those that actively promote social responsibility.
• Focus on Ethical Consumption: Adopt a minimalist or conscious consumption lifestyle to reduce support for harmful industries. Buying second-hand (clothing, electronics, etc.) reduces waste and prevents funding unethical corporations.
• Invest Responsibly: Choose socially responsible investments and divest from companies linked to arms and fossil fuels. By reorienting economic practices in line with principles of love and justice, resources can be shifted from military spending to areas like education, healthcare, and poverty reduction—thereby reducing the “temptation of war” driven by profit incentives.
• Stay Informed: Follow investigative journalism and support ethical movements, boycotts, and campaigns that challenge harmful corporate practices.
• Care for Creation: Prioritise the health of the planet. The Earth’s well-being is inseparable from the well-being of its people.
• Raise Awareness: Educate others and encourage ethical consumer behaviour. It’s also important to hold governments accountable for enabling harmful corporate practices.
• Support Peace Initiatives: Contribute to organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Caritas, CAFOD, and Amnesty International, which work to address the humanitarian impacts of conflict.

Reclaiming the Common Good

Catholic teaching doesn’t call for the end of capitalism, but it does demand that human dignity be at the centre of economic life. Profit can be a tool — even a sign of health — but it must never be the point of the system.

If we’re willing to ask the uncomfortable questions — like Pope Francis did — and take seriously the call to solidarity, justice, and stewardship, we can begin to build an economy that truly serves people.

Because in the end, a society that values profits over people might grow richer on paper, but it becomes spiritually and morally bankrupt.

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Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith, thanks to his Salesian schooling. He’s passionate about podcasting, theology, the papacy, and volunteering. He has hosted ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM, Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both the Church and society. He has also been a host on Shalom World Catholic TV for two episodes of the ‘Heart Talk’ series. He presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine Renevacao.