Dignity and Justice in the City

Founded Notre Dame (1843) Continued influence of charism and spirituality “Notre Dame family”

Annual theme focuses attention on two key principles of CST Evangelium Vitae “It is by listening to the word of the Lord that we are able to live in dignity and justice.” (48)

Social Scriptures Where it all begins Social Tradition Experiences from the life of the Church Social Thought Keeping the tradition up to date Social Teaching Timeless principles of the Church

The Church understands Justice as rooted in Scripture Is 1:15 “Make Justice your aim.” Micah 6:8 “You have been told, O man, what is good and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” LK 10:34 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Scriptures make social demands Prophets The Law is for Love Matthew 25

Brings together all people, place, events, and movements following the call of Scripture The lived experience of this call Dorothy Day Is the Catholic Church really the “church of the poor”? Requires work for justice

Patristic and Classical Augustine Aquinas Reflection on what it means to live JUST lives We need to correct our relationship with: God, each other, creation Ongoing Theological Inquiry Liberation Theology Eco-theology

Official teachings of the Magisterium Papal Encyclicals Bishops Conferences Able to offer an unchanging light to the new problems that we are confronted with Role of the laity

Can you name some principles of the Church’s Social Teaching?

Human Dignity Common Good Rights and Responsibilities Option for the Poor Dignity of Work Subsidiarity and Solidarity Care for Creation

Foundation of CST Humans are created in the Image of God All human life is sacred, from conception to death Gen 1:26 Then God said: “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” Eph 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.”

Humans are social beings Perfect model is God’s Trinitarian (Relational) Nature We realize our own humanity in relationship with others Lv 19:9-15 “These things you shall leave for the poor and alien. I, the LORD, am your God.” Jn 13:34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”

The existence of rights are necessarily tied to duties “With great power comes great responsibility” We must fulfill basic rights for dignity to exist Duty to defend our rights But others must be able to exercise theirs as well Mt 23:11 “The greatest among you must be your servant”

Every person, regardless of status, is welcome as Christ Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy – poverty of body and soul Mt 25:31-46 “Amen, I say to you, what you did for the one of these least ones, you did for me” Ps 41:1-3 “Happy those concerned with the poor and the lowly”

Our human vocation is to participate in the creative work of God This means that we are made to labor; work is a good thing But it must be dignifying Every person has a right to fair, meaningful, decent work that respects their dignity

Complementary principles Solidarity – global concern We are all connected Subsidiarity – local concern But action should first occur at the lowest level possible Jn 17:20-21 “I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.“ “We come not just as servants, but as their neighbors, to be with them and of them.” -Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 13

All creation is a gift from God We are not masters but stewards with responsibility Environmental poverty Mt 6:25 “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing”

Our choices reflect what we believe in “Every economic decision has a moral consequence” -Caritas in Veritate If we believe in Christ, we must act like it We are called to serve: The Oppressed Relief of their suffering The Oppressor Conversion of heart But we are not taking sides against “sinful enemies”  Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 13

“The mission is not simple, for the impoverishments we would relieve are not simple. There are networks of privilege, prejudice and power so commonplace that often neither oppressors nor victims are aware of them. We must be aware and also understanding by reason of fellowship with the impoverished and patient learning. For the kingdom to come in this world, disciples must have the competence to see and the courage to act.” - Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross 13

CST is not just our mind, or heart, or soul isolated from one another, it’s about integration Ought to be a transformative experience

“The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” - Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. Education – Social Teaching = Power to Exploit “We stand with the poor and afflicted because only from there can we appeal as Jesus did for the conversion and deliverance of all.” (Constitutions, 13)

Mind Integrating faith & reason Heart Discerning a vocation of service Zeal Desire to use gifts for common good Family Embracing community as context for lifelong formation Hope Trusting in the cross and God’s promise of the kingdom