Charity in Truth 3: Economic Participation
27/03/10 17:39 Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
"Goal of rescuing peoples, first and foremost, from
hunger, deprivation, endemic diseases and illiteracy.
From the economic point of view, this meant their
active participation on equal terms in economic
process” From Caritas in Veritate
One of the best elements of Benedict XVI's encyclical is its reminder that we are in charge of the economic process. We don't act or talk this way much of the time. But in fact, if we don't consume -- if we don't shop, or bank, or work and put money into the economic system -- then the economic system does not work.
What Benedict is calling us to do is to remember that we are responsible for participating in the economic system. We need, however, a state to protect our actice participation in this process, a participation that must be equal. An economic system that denies some participants participation or gives to some greater power or voice than others violates our human dignity.
Not only that, but it undermines the economic system. Why would we say that government works better through democracy but deny the same fact about the economy? A progressive and satisfying economic system is one in which each and every human beings can participate as equals.
Let's support those institutions which promote such equal participation, whether they be co-ops or credit unions or other forms of local economies.
One of the best elements of Benedict XVI's encyclical is its reminder that we are in charge of the economic process. We don't act or talk this way much of the time. But in fact, if we don't consume -- if we don't shop, or bank, or work and put money into the economic system -- then the economic system does not work.
What Benedict is calling us to do is to remember that we are responsible for participating in the economic system. We need, however, a state to protect our actice participation in this process, a participation that must be equal. An economic system that denies some participants participation or gives to some greater power or voice than others violates our human dignity.
Not only that, but it undermines the economic system. Why would we say that government works better through democracy but deny the same fact about the economy? A progressive and satisfying economic system is one in which each and every human beings can participate as equals.
Let's support those institutions which promote such equal participation, whether they be co-ops or credit unions or other forms of local economies.
Denver Child Refused Catholic Schooling
11/03/10 13:33 Filed in: Catholic
Church |
Catholic
Social Teaching
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/denver_archbishop_explains_why_lesbian_couples_child_not_admitted_to_school/
The above is one of many stories about the decision of a Catholic elementary school in Denver to deny admittance to a child who has lesbian parents because her parents are lesbian. Let's say we agree with certain things, even if we don't: that lesbianism is wrong according to Catholic teaching, that the school has a responsibility to uphold certain Catholic moral standards, that the archbishop has a prophetic duty to witness to Catholic teaching, that the lesbian couple involved promoted their lesbianism to challenge the school's policy.
Does that mean that we punishb the child because her parents are lesbian?
I would think that charity-- love -- insists that we do not. What is the effect on the child from this decision: a lack of education in a Catholic faith, a lack of quality education provided by a Catholic school, removal from friends she's already met at the school, disruption of her life. Both the lesbian parents and the archbishop are responsible for putting the child in this situation.
And one must wonder whether the school expels the children of other Catholics who engage in practices that do not accord with Catholic teaching: what about divorced and remarried couples (without an annulment)? What about lawyers who defend criminals they know are guilty? What about people who support the death penalty or who are pro-choice?
All the archbishop has done here is make a bad situation worse. Perhaps if we cared more about individuals and less about dogma and doctrine, we might have more converts. Perhaps we should remember what Jesus said of the pharisees: white-washed tombs.
The above is one of many stories about the decision of a Catholic elementary school in Denver to deny admittance to a child who has lesbian parents because her parents are lesbian. Let's say we agree with certain things, even if we don't: that lesbianism is wrong according to Catholic teaching, that the school has a responsibility to uphold certain Catholic moral standards, that the archbishop has a prophetic duty to witness to Catholic teaching, that the lesbian couple involved promoted their lesbianism to challenge the school's policy.
Does that mean that we punishb the child because her parents are lesbian?
I would think that charity-- love -- insists that we do not. What is the effect on the child from this decision: a lack of education in a Catholic faith, a lack of quality education provided by a Catholic school, removal from friends she's already met at the school, disruption of her life. Both the lesbian parents and the archbishop are responsible for putting the child in this situation.
And one must wonder whether the school expels the children of other Catholics who engage in practices that do not accord with Catholic teaching: what about divorced and remarried couples (without an annulment)? What about lawyers who defend criminals they know are guilty? What about people who support the death penalty or who are pro-choice?
All the archbishop has done here is make a bad situation worse. Perhaps if we cared more about individuals and less about dogma and doctrine, we might have more converts. Perhaps we should remember what Jesus said of the pharisees: white-washed tombs.