Politics makes strange bedfellows; Critics of economic inequality.

The Left and Catholic Church are often on the opposite sides in many issues (e.g., abortion, birth control, freedom of religion, opportunities for women).  However, both are critics of the economic inequality in capitalist societies such as the U.S.  Economic inequality has become the newest obsession of the left. Pres. Obama recently complained about it.  I guess after the Obamacare debacle he felt a need to try to rally his far-left supporters.

  Yes, it can be harmful, and capitalism has its costs.  I dislike much about capitalism, (putting profits above all other values, indifference to humanistic values, sacrificing lives for profit, short-term outlook, etc.) but overall it is the most productive and conducive to a free society.  Opponents of inequality of income ignore the issues of causation, incentives, the dangers of the entitlement mentality, connections between economic and other freedoms, etc.  For instance, single parenthood, teen births and illegitimacy are prime causes of poverty among women in low income communities.  Rather than attack the economic system and redistribute income, why not work on the causes such as dropping out of school, high illegitimacy rates, lousy schools, etc.  Rates of poverty are associated with teenage parenthood and illegitimacy.  See this report on birth rates, etc.  Don't get me wrong, I am not flatly opposed to progressive income and inheritance taxes, "social programs,"student loans and grants, minimum wage laws, Head Start, "welfare" programs etc., if done properly.  I am not flatly opposed to programs to lessen poverty if done properly.  I am opposed to government-imposed equality of results.  I favor equal opportunity as long as no one is denied equal protection of the law. I am opposed to direct transfers of income from the "affluent" to the lower income persons to lessen income inequality. 
Finally, in the Leftist literature I have noticed much carping about how corporate executives make millions, but little or nothing about professional athletes of entertainers who likewise make millions.  It is apparently only a problem if "capitalists" have obscenely high incomes.