THE TENTH COMMANDMENT tells us that we should not want anything that belongs to our neighbor.

We are envious when we wish we had what other people have, instead of their having it.

From MY CATHOLIC FAITH, Bishop Louis Morrow, 1937 What does God forbid in the Tenth Commandment? In the Tenth Commandment, God forbids all unjust and inordinate desire to possess another persons property. We are permitted to desire the property of others only when we propose to obtain it by purchase or exchange. For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows. 1Tim6:10 Who are guilty of violating the Tenth Commandment? Among those guilty of violating the Tenth Commandment are the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. Those who desire or resolve to steal or cause loss to others, even if the resolution is not carried out. Children who with for the death of their parents in order to obtain their property. Those who wish for war, epidemics, storms, fire, legal troubles, social outbreaks or other calamities in order to profit from the resulting high prices of their products. Those who deny the right of private property, as socialists or communists. Socialism is a sin against the Tenth Commandment, because Socialists aim to deprive their fellow-men of their private property by unjust means.

Why is PRIVATE OWNERSHIP a right? It is a right because every man has a right to life. In order to preserve his life, he has a right to gain for himself and keep as his own, those goods he needs for his subsistence. a. If every moment of a persons life were occupied in providing for his daily maintenance, he would have nothing to sustain him in cases of illness or misfortune. Besides, in such a case, he would have no leisure in which to attend to the interests of his soul. One is moreover, bound to provide for those dependent on him, and this can only be done by possessing the right of private ownership of property.

b.

What are the chief errors of Socialists? Among the chief errors of Socialists are: 1. They want the State to confiscate all private property and out of publics funds provide for the wants of everybody. a. Even in the State gave the same amount to everybody, in a short time an inequality would arise, because the thrifty ones would save part of what they get, and spendthrifts would spend all. b. The system would penalize the industrious and talented, who would thus be deprived of the incentive to labor. Socialists would do away with religion, authority, social order, and family life. Socialism would make man like the lower animals, destitute of all that develops from his higher nature. The members of a Socialistic state would become virtual slaves, with no rights of their own. They would be worse than machines.

2.

Has the Stated the right to confiscate private property? The State has no such right. It is merely empowered to supervise and regulate the acquisition and disposal of property for the common good, with justice to everyone. The State is for the people, and not the people for the State. If it must take private property, it has the obligation to give compensation to the owner. Neither has the State any right to take Church property. To rob a man is theft; to rob God is a Sacrilege.