71 CHRISTIAN TRADITION HAS NEVER RECOGNIZED THE RIGHT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY AS ABSOLUTE OR UNTOUCHABLE, AND HAS EMPHASIZED THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF ALL FORMS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. SAINT JOHN PAUL II RECALLED THIS DOCTRINE WITH GREAT FORCE, AFFIRMING THAT “GOD HAS GIVEN THE EARTH TO THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE SO THAT IT MAY SUPPORT ALL ITS MEMBERS, WITHOUT EXCLUDING OR FAVOURING ANYONE”.