Social Justice
09/2010
A political commentator has recently made the comment to the effect that if the term “social justice” is used in one’s presence one should flee the room.
In reference to a Catholic view on “Social Justice”: please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three, Article 3, Social Justice, p. 468-472; and, the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three, Section One; Life in the Spirit, Chapter 2, The Human Community, p. 401 ff., and, Seventh Commandment p. 509 ff.
In this last notation, one may find church statements on the content of the social doctrine of the Church, the Church intervening in social areas, the pursuit of social and economic life, what would be opposed to the social doctrine, the meaning of work, a right to work, the responsibility of the State, the task of business management, etc.
Social Justice is not just a series of ideas. It gives comment and direction on human work, economic life, our responsibility to promote peace. Social Justice is a systematic doctrine that has developed through the encounter of the Gospel with the troubles of the day. Don’t let anyone take that patrimony of the Church away from you.
Father Michael Reis
Saint Leonard's Social Justice Task Force
Members: Dick & Judy Knapp, 740-927-0202, Deacon Larry and Shelley Wilson, 740-323-3849
Links
The Diocese of Columbus Office of Social Concern.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Catholic Social Teaching.