Promoting Social Justice: Catholic Teachings and Actions

1. SOCIAL JUSTICECont’d pp. 255-263

2. Social Encyclicals • Over the past century, the popes have written letters on many issues of social justice. • A common theme in these social encyclicals is the protection of the weak and the poor.

3. Social Teaching of the Canadian Catholic Bishops • In 1948 the bishops of Canada established the Commission of Social Action to help spread the gospel through actions for justice and the transformation of society. • The Commission has issued many teaching documents:

4. Words To Action (1976) • The struggle for justice is not optional. • The bishops suggested a method for reflecting on the gospel, hearing victims of injustice and helping the poor and the oppressed.

5. Ethical Choices and Political Challenges (1983) • This document reinforced the struggle for justice. • It also offered a five step approach for doing justice.

6. The Struggle Against Poverty (1996) • The Bishops criticized governments for neglecting the care of the poorest members of society. • They called for action to eradicate poverty with special awareness of the poverty among women, the young, new immigrants and Aboriginal people.

7. The Common Good or Exclusion (2001) • In an open letter to members of the new Parliament, the bishops recalled “that the Church, in its concern for the welfare of each person, is especially preoccupied with defending the poor.

8. The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 1)Dignity of the Human Person – All humans are God’s special creation and deserve respect, regardless of race, age, ability, nationality, religion or economic status etc. 2) Respect for Human Life – Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death has inherent dignity and the right to life.

9. The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 3) Call to family, Community and Participation – Every person is not only sacred, but social. Family is the central social institution that must be supported, strengthened and not undermined (recall: Trinity) 4) Rights and Responsibilities – a healthy community can only be achieved if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.

10. The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 5) Common Good – The social condition that allows people to reach their full potential and dignity. 3 elements: Respect for the person; Social well being of the group; Maintaining peace and security. 6) Preferential Option for the Poor – We must put the needs for the poor and vulnerable before our wants

11. The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 7) Solidarity – We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are all really responsible for all. 8) Stewardship – We are called to protect the people and the planet. We are caretakers of the gift of creation.

12. The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 9) Dignity of Work and the Rights of the Workers – the dignity of work is safeguarded when the rights of workers are protected. 10) Subsidiarity - matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest, or least centralized authority so long as they are capable.

14. How can we help the poor in the world? Give to the Church Give to ShareLife Give to clothing and food drives Give to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Write to our politicians for affordable housing and improved social services Volunteer at soup kitchens and shelters Volunteer with NGO’s working in the developing world.

15. Development and Peace • Established in 1967 by the CCCB in response to Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter PopulorumProgressio, which says that Development is the new word for Peace. • Development and Peace seeks ways to help people of all faiths in the Third World break the cycle of poverty through community-based, sustainable development initiatives.

17. ShareLife In 1976, Archbishop Philip Pocock established ShareLife – the annual charitable fundraising appeal of the Archdiocese of Toronto – ensuring people have access to social services based on Catholic values and respect for the sanctity of life at all stages.

18. Fair Trade Many products that are manufactured and foods that are grown in the developing world exploit labourers. We in the developed world enjoy these things at cheaper prices because of this cheaper labour. Fairly traded products are sold at a fair price to ensure that workers and producers are fairly compensated for their work.

19. Fair Trade

20. Free The Children

21. Ryan’s Well

22. Mother Teresa Mother Teresa is someone who hungered and thirst for righteous in the world. She dedicated her life to helping the poorest outcasts in slums of Calcutta, India – the lepers, the poor, the hungry, the terminally ill, the social outcasts etc. She believed every one deserves to die with dignity because we are all children of God

23. Mother Teresa

24. What can you do? As members of Christ’s body on Earth, we have an obligation to do Christ’s work on Earth. As people, confirmed in the faith and sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you are called forward to carry out the social justice mission put forth by Christ.

25. Gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom - desire for the things of God, and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory Understanding - enable us to know more clearly the mysteries of faith Counsel - warn us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to salvation

26. Gifts of the Holy Spirit cont’d Fortitude - strengthen us to do the will of God in all things Knowledge - enable us to discover the will of God in all things Piety - love God as a Father, and obey Him because we love Him Fear of the Lord - have a dread of sin and fear of offending God