“We should not forget that the biblical Jubilee was first and foremost an economic and societal occurrence, a fact that unfortunately is rarely mentioned in the news media. In fact, the real focus of the Jubilee was not religious celebrations or solemnities, but the liberation of slaves, the cancellation of debts and the restitution of land… All these were strictly economic issues.” Luigino Bruni, professor at the LUMSA University in Rome, scientific director of “The Economy of Francis” and president of the School of Civil Economy, economist and scholar of the history of economic thought, highlights the scope of the Jubilee Year.
The Biblical origins of the Jubilee are found in the Book of Leviticus. “You shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the whole land to all of its inhabitants. It will be a Jubilee for you. Each of you shall return to his own property and each to his own clan. The fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee for you. You shall not sow nor reap. You shall not reap what grows on its own, and you shall not gather grapes from the undressed vines. It is a Jubilee and it is to be holy for you. You shall eat only what comes directly from the fields. In the Jubilee Year you shall return each man to his property.”
“For this reason”, Bruni points out,
“We should remember that the economic and social dimensions of the biblical Jubilees are the foundations of the Christian Jubilee.”
In other words, in order to be “pilgrims of hope” in 2025, it is not enough to travel to Rome from all corners of the world and pass through the Holy Door of one of the papal basilicas. Nor is it enough to focus solely on ritual or devotional aspects.
“The Jubilee celebrations must not fail to mention the financial aspects. Otherwise, it would be unreal…”
says the economist. He went on to explain that during the Holy Year that we celebrate today “it is necessary to address the issue of global finance, the globalisation of debt, exploitation and labour.” “What was once the liberation of slaves,” Bruni explains, “must now be deliverance from unjust forms of work, of new forms of slavery, as in the case of people in low-paid jobs who have no rights, no dignity…”.
“We must prevent the Jubilee from being lived as an event confined to indulgences, Holy Masses and worship”, remarked the economist. Rather, he said, “we should make the most of this year by undertaking a profound reflection, especially as Catholics, on aspects related to the economy, finance and labour. These are all issues inherently connected to the great themes of the Jubilee”. “If, on the other hand, the Jubilee remains limited to the religious, sacred and devotional dimension, we will have missed an important opportunity”.
In a meeting with delegations from several Italian banking institutions in mid-December 2024, Pope Francis recalled that “the upcoming Jubilee reminds us of the need to forgive debts. It is the condition for generating hope and a future in the lives of many people, especially the poor.” “I encourage you to promote trust”, was the Holy Father’s exhortation.
On the occasion of the Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Italian Church launched a campaign for the reduction of the foreign debt of poor nations with the aim of spreading information on the serious problem of countries with the most foreign debt, especially in the southern hemisphere, and urging public institutions to do their part. It was also intended to make the Christian community and each one of its members aware of the need to make a concrete gesture of solidarity by collecting funds to cancel the debts of two of the poorest countries in Africa: Guinea Conakry and Zambia.
After 25 years, in the “Appeals for Hope” listed in “Spes non confundit,” the Pontiff’s Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year 2025, the Holy Father remarks: “The Jubilee reminds us that the goods of the earth are not destined for a privileged few, but for all.” To the more affluent nations, the Pope addresses the following “heartfelt appeal”: “I ask that they acknowledge the gravity of so many of their past decisions and determine to forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them. More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice. It is made all the more serious today by a new form of injustice which we increasingly recognize.” “If we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world – Francis writes – let us commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts, and feeding the hungry.”
The post Jubilee 2025. Bruni (economist): “Let us engage in a profound reflection on the economy, finance and labour. If not, it will be a missed opportunity” first appeared on AgenSIR.