The Wages of Fraud: Can Money Be Innocent?
A man may say “ I was only working ,” but before God he must answer another question: “ What exactly were you working for?” Prologue: Only Working For Salary? Think of a man who works for a fraudster; a “yahoo boy.” When urged to quit the job because of its implications, he replies: “I only work for my salary. The money has no stain. His sin is his own, not on the money.” At first this argument may sound clever. But from the perspective of traditional Catholic moral theology, it collapses quickly. 1. Cooperation in Another Man’s Sin The Church has always taught that a person may share in another man’s sin by knowingly helping him commit it. Great moral theologians such as St. Alphonsus Liguori explains that sin is not committed only by the one who performs the evil act directly. It can also be committed by those who assist, facilitate, or support it. Thus, if a man knowingly helps a fraudster run his operations [ answering calls, managing accounts, composing messages, or arrangin...
