Jesus is the master teacher in social justice.  The Gospels are filled with examples of how we can follow the two great commandments, to love God and love our neighbor. Social justice is not a committee, it is how we have been called to live our lives in relationship with all of God’s creation.

The social doctrine of the Catholic Church is intended to guide our behavior. Issues addressed in social teachings of the church are:

1. Dignity of the human person;
2. How society treats the most vulnerable members;
3. Community, and working toward the common good with its rights and responsibilities;
4. Dignity of work (fair wages, private property and economic initiatives);
5. A global call to solidarity as one human family;
6. Care of God’s creation.

Respect for human life and dignity should be the cornerstone of our actions. Throughout history, many letters and documents on political and social matters which affect the rights of people, have been delivered by popes and bishops. The encyclical, Laudato Si written by Pope Francis has been studied world wide and continues to sustain a conversation on interrelatedness of business and economic practices, climate crisis and effects of our choices on the world, to those individuals who are most vulnerable.

This leads us to the question of social justice and charity, are they the same? When we truly live the Christian commandment to love one another, they probably are; but for the most part, we can better understand how to develop our awareness and actions by recognizing their unique meanings.

There are ‘two feet’ of social justice. The first is charity, when we respond in ways that address emergency needs like food, shelter, disasters and safety. The second is social action, becoming aware of the cause of the problem and calling for action to address the issue. Actions such as educating ourselves on issues that impact education of children, mental health, traumatic events that lead to addictions, as well as listening to the lived experiences of individuals and becoming a supportive advocate, a ‘voice for the voiceless’.

Within our pastoral unit, our social justice ministries partner within the communities we are part of to respond to priority needs identified.