341. Although the quest for equitable profit is acceptable in economic and financial activity, recourse to usury is to be morally condemned: “Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them”.[714] This condemnation extends also to international economic relations, especially with regard to the situation in less advanced countries, which must never be made to suffer “abusive if not usurious financial systems”.[715] More recently, the Magisterium used strong and clear words against this practice, which is still tragically widespread, describing usury as “a scourge that is also a reality in our time and that has a stranglehold on many peoples' lives”.[716]
341. Ingawa kutafuta faida sawa kunakubalika katika shughuli za kiuchumi na kifedha, kukimbilia riba kunapaswa kulaaniwa kimaadili: “Wale ambao vitendo vyao vya ubadhirifu vinasababisha njaa na kifo cha ndugu zao katika familia ya kibinadamu bila ya moja kwa moja kufanya mauaji, ambayo hana hatia kwao”.[714] Lawama hii inaenea pia kwa mahusiano ya kiuchumi ya kimataifa, hasa kuhusiana na hali katika nchi zilizoendelea kidogo, ambazo hazipaswi kamwe kuteseka "matusi ikiwa sio mifumo ya kifedha ya uhujumu".[715] Hivi majuzi, Majisterio ilitumia maneno makali na ya wazi dhidi ya mila hii, ambayo bado imeenea sana, ikielezea riba kama "janga ambalo pia ni kweli katika wakati wetu na ambalo lina mkazo katika maisha ya watu wengi". [716]