Gulf Pine Catholic

20 Gulf Pine Catholic • October 16, 2020 Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship From page 19 The family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, is the fundamental unit of society. This sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children must not be redefined, undermined, or neglected. Supporting families should be a priority for economic and social policies. How our society is organized -- in economics and politics, in law and public policy -- affects the well-being of individuals and of soci- ety. Every person and association has a right and a duty to participate in shaping society to promote the well-being of individuals and the common good. The principle of subsidiarity reminds us that larger institutions in society should not overwhelm or interfere with smaller or local institutions; yet larger institutions have essential responsibilities when the more local institutions cannot adequately protect human dignity, meet human needs, and advance the common good. 7 The Common Good The common good is comprised of “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily.” 8 Human dignity is respected and the common good is fostered only if human rights are protected and basic responsibilities are met. Every human being has a right to life, a right to religious freedom, and a right to have access to those things required for human decency -- food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities -- to ourselves, to our families, and to the larger society. The economy must serve people, not the other way around. An economic system must serve the dignity of the human person and the common good by respecting the dignity of work and protecting the rights of workers. Economic justice calls for decent work at fair, living wages, a broad and fair legalization program with a path to citizenship for immigrant workers, and the opportunity for all people to work together for the common good through their work, ownership, enterprise, invest- ment, participation in unions, and other forms of economic activity. Workers also have responsibilities -- to provide a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, to treat employers and coworkers with respect, and to carry out their work in ways that con- tribute to the common good. Workers, employers, and unions should not only advance their own interests but also work together to advance economic justice and the well-being of all. We have a duty to care for God’s creation , which Pope Francis refers to in Laudato Si’ as “our common home.” 9 We all are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for vulnerable human beings now and in the future. Pope Francis, consistent with St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (World Day of Peace Message, 1990 and 2010), has lifted up pollution, climate change, lack of access to clean water, and the loss of biodiver- sity as particular challenges. Pope Francis speaks of an “ecological debt” (no. 51) owed by wealthier nations to developing nations. And he calls all of us to an “eco- logical conversion” (no. 219), by which “the effects of [our] encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in [our] relationship with the world around [us]”. 10 Indeed, this concern with “natural ecology” is an indispensable part of the broader “human ecology,” which encompasses not only material but moral and social dimensions as well. Solidarity Solidarity is “a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to . . . the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” It is found in “a commitment to the good of one’s neighbor with the readiness, in the Gospel sense, to ‘lose oneself’ for the sake of the other instead of exploiting him, and to ‘serve him’ instead of oppressing him for one’s own advantage.” 11 We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Our Catholic commitment to solidarity requires that we pur- sue justice, eliminate racism, end human trafficking, protect human rights, seek peace, and avoid the use of force except as a necessary last resort. In a special way, our solidarity must find expression in the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us—the unborn, those dealing with disabilities or terminal illness, the poor, and the marginalized. Conclusion In light of Catholic teaching, the bishops vigorously repeat their call for a renewed politics that focuses on moral principles, the promotion of human life and dignity, and the pursuit of the common good. Polit-ical participation in this spirit reflects not only the social teaching of our Church but the best traditions of our nation. Notes 1 Catechism of the Catholic Church , nos. 1913-15. 2 Gaudete et Exsultate , no. 25. 3 Evangelii Gaudium , no. 221 4 These principles are drawn from a rich tradition more fully described in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Cath-olic Bishops, 2005), no. 160. For more information on these principles, see Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship , 2016, nos. 40ff. 5 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church , no. 132. This summary represents only a few highlights from the fuller treatment of the human person in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church . For the fuller treatment, see especially nos. 124-159 where many other important aspects of human dignity are treated. 6 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church , no. 185. 7 Centesimus Annus, no. 48; Dignitatis Humanae , nos. 4-6. 8 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church , no. 164 Laudato Si’ , no. 77. 10 Laudato Si’ , no. 217. 11 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church , no. 193. (See Mt 10:40-42, 20:25; Mk 10:42-45; Lk 22:25-27) Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC. All rights reserved. Quotes from the Compendium on the Social Doctrine of the Church, copyright © 2004, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City State. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Quotes from Evangelii Gaudium, Laudato Si’, and Gaudete et Exsultate copy- right © 2013, 2015, 2018, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City State. Used with permission. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-30137-545-2 Publication No. 7-545 PRAYER BEFORE AN ELECTION Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty. We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender. We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom. We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.