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Dear Parishioners: The following is Part 2 from a letter recently written by the Catholic Bishops concerning the importance of the social teaching of our Church: Rights and Responsibilities: In a world where some speack mostly of "rights" and others mostly of "responsibilities", the Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right of those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibiities - to one another, to our families and to the larger society. While public debate in our nation is often divided between those who focus on personal responsibility and those who focus on social responsibilities, our tradition insists that both are necessary. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: In a world characterized by growing prosperity for some and pervasive poverty for others, Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt. 25) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. Dignity of Work, Rights of Workers: In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s reaction. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected - the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property and to economic initiative. Respecting these rights promotes an economy which protects human life, defends human rights and advances the well-being of all. Solidarity: Our culture is tempted to turn inward, becoming indifferent and sometimes isolationist in the face of international responsibilities. Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, where ever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning that "loving our neighbor" has global dimensions in an interdependent world. This virtue is described by Pope John Paul II as a "firm and perservering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all" (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 38). Care for God’s Creation: On a planet conflicted over environmental issues, the Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan; it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions which cannot be ignored. This teaching is a complex and nuanced tradition with many other important elements. Principles like subsidiarity and the common good outline the advantages and limitations of markets, the responsibilities and limits of government, and the essential roles of voluntary associations. These and other key principles are outlined in greater detail in the catechism and in the Task Force on Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Education report. These principles build on the foundation of Catholic social teaching, the dignity of human life. This central Catholic principle requires that we measure every policy, every institution, every action by whether it protects human life and enhances human dignity, especially for the poor and vulnerable. These moral values and others outlined by the church and this task force are apart of a systematic moral framework and a precious intellectual heritage that we call Catholic social teaching. The Scriptures say, "Without a vision the people perish." As Catholics, we have an inspiring vision in our social teaching. In a world that hungers for a sense of meaning and moral direction, this teaching offers ethical criteria for action. In a society of rapid change and often confused moral values, this teaching offers consistent moral guidance for the future. For Catholics, this social teaching is a central part of our identity. In the words of John Paul II, it is "genuine doctine" (Centesimus Annus, 5). There will be legitimate differences and debate over how these challenging moral principles are applied in concrete situations. Differing prudential judgments on specifics cannot be allowed, however, to obscure the need for every Catholic to know and apply these principles in our family, economic and community life. Sincerely, Fr. Vincent Ring |
