Mexican cardinal backs off remarks over honest earnings of wealthy

Published: 2008-05-06

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Guadalajara, who recently came under fire from business leaders in western Mexico, retreated from comments he made in late April about the wealthy not earning their fortunes in an honest fashion. "There isn't a single honorable rich person, because working never made anyone wealthy," he said April 28 during a Mass for an organization of journalists and public relations professionals. "If that were the way to become wealthy, then donkeys would be the richest," he added. "Working doesn't make people rich. If that happens, it's because there was exploitation." In a statement released by the Archdiocese of Guadalajara in early May, the cardinal's comments were clarified. "The words were directed at those that have acquired their wealth in an illicit manner, who have created large monopolies (domestic or foreign) that are based in injustice," the statement said.

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