Learning More About Catholic Social Teachings:
Principle/Theme:
Solidarity
From USCCB complete statement & document available at –
http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf
We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and
ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions and requires us to eradicate racism and address the extreme poverty and disease plaguing so much of the world. Solidarity also includes the Scriptural call to welcome the stranger among us—including immigrants seeking work, a safe home, education for their children, and a decent life for their families. In light of the Gospel’s invitation to be peacemakers, our commitment to solidarity with our neighbors—at home and abroad—also demands that we promote peace and pursue justice in a world marred by terrible violence and conflict. Decisions on the use of force should be guided by traditional moral criteria and undertaken only as a last resort. As Pope Paul VI taught: “If you want peace, work for justice”
(World Day of Peace Message, January 1, 1972).
- Scriptural Foundations
- Quotes from Official Church Documents
- References from the Catechism
- Practicing Faithful Citizenship
- Prayer for Solidarity
Scriptural Foundations
We are called to global solidarity. We are one human family regardless of national, racial, ethnic, gender, economic or ideological boundaries. Global solidarity expresses concerns for world peace and international development.
Save all nations
Genesis 22:17-18
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/genesis/genesis22.htm
Psalms 22:28-29
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/psalms/psalm22.htm
Peace for all nations
Isaiah 2:1-4
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/isaiah/isaiah2.htm
Micah 4:1-3
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/micah/micah4.htm
Romans 10:12 (no national distinctions in God)
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/romans/romans10.htm
Galatians 3:28 (all one in Christ)
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/galatians/galatians3.htm
Quotes from Official Church Documents
This moreover must be repeated: what is superfluous in richer regions
must serve the needs of the regions in want. …Their avarice
if continued will call down the punishment of God and arouse the anger of
the poor…”
-Pope Paul VI, On the Development of Peoples (Populorum Progressio),
no. 49
Because peace, like the kingdom of God itself, is both a divine gift
and a human work, the Church should continually pray for the gift and
share in the work. We are called to be a Church at the service of
peace, precisely because peace is one manifestation of God’s work
in our midst.”
-National Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Challenge of Peace: God’s
Promise and Our Response, no.23
“Independence must be transformed into solidarity based upon the principle that the goods of creation are meant for all. That which human industry produces through the processing of raw materials, with the contribution of work, must serve equally for the good of all…
“Solidarity helps
us to see the ‘other’ – whether a person, people of nation-not
just some kind of instrument, with a work capacity and physical strength to
be exploited at low cost and then discarded when no longer useful, but as our ‘neighbor’ a ‘helper’,
to be made a sharer, on par with ourselves, in the banquet of life to which
all are equally invited by God”
-Pope John Paul II, On Social Concern (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis),
no 39
From: Leader’s Guide to Sharing Catholic Social Teaching, USCCB. 2001.
For further reading:
http://salt.claretianpubs.org/cstline/tline.html (condensed)
>
http://www.osjspm.org/cst/doclist.htm (entire document)
References from the Catechism
1941- Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves, between employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and peoples. International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace depends in part upon this.
2438 - Various causes of a religious, political, economic, and financial nature today give "the social question a worldwide dimension."225 There must be solidarity among nations which are already politically interdependent. It is even more essential when it is a question of dismantling the "perverse mechanisms" that impede the development of the less advanced countries..226 In place of abusive if not usurious financial systems, iniquitous commercial relations among nations, and the arms race, there must be substituted a common effort to mobilize resources toward objectives of moral, cultural, and economic development, "redefining the priorities and hierarchies of values."227
Practicing Faithful Citizenship
Justice Peace and Human development
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/index.shtml
Catholic Campaign on Immigration Reform
http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/
CRS & USCCB Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty Home
Page
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty/
Fair Trade
http://www.sflifeandjustice.org/Fair%20Trade.html
Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/globalsolidarity.htm#list
Human Rights/Religious Liberty
Towards
a responsible transition in Iraq
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/iraqstatement0106.htm
Religious liberty
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/200602religiousliberty.htm
Prayer for Solidarity*
Almighty and ever-living God,
empower your one human family to join hands
on our journey of faith.
Send us your Spirit of hope,
so that we may work
to alleviate human suffering
and foster charity and justice
in our world.
Amen.
*From Being Neighbor: The Catechism and Social Justice, USCCB, April, 1998