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For the reflection today I am copying an abridged version of an
article that appeared recently in the Prairie Messenger.
Search for social justice is about more than charity by Rev. Dan
Danielson, Catholic priest from Oakland California
I have been pastor of a large parish now for 22 years and in that
time have built up some credibility. I am not seen as a naive do-
gooder or knee-jerk liberal, but as a thinking pastor. That gives me
the background I need to be able to ask parishioners to take
seriously the role of social justice in their lives as Christians.
They have responded very well.
We first addressed this issue in 2000, taking on some presumably
"easy" issues: the death penalty during Lent, poverty during spring
and summer, and responsible voting for the "common good" in the fall.
The main point to get across is that this is not a matter of
"politics" but rather "action on behalf of justice," which is a
constitutive part of the preaching of the Gospel" (Synod of Bishops,
1974).
I think the people of our parish are clear on this distinction.
Social justice has to do with transforming society's structures so
that they will be in conformity with the rights and dignity of every
human being in the face of the earth.
No one says anymore, "I came t church to hear about God, not
politics!" This is a singular advance for any parish.
Another issue that has to be clarified is the distinction between
social justice and charity. There is a need for both. We are
accustomed to responding generously in charity. But the search for
justice is something more. It takes time to get the point across.
The other main approach is to ask people to "wrestle" with the
church's teaching, to take it seriously. We treat people with
respect. And many people, not feeling they are being told what to do,
will embrace the challenge to study, listen, discuss and pray about
this issue.
In many instances, they will move beyond their original thinking.
We have dealt with issues of immigration, the 2006 election,
affordable housing, worldwide poverty and hunger, and putting an end
to extreme poverty. Along the way we have held adult education
sessions on global warming, ecology, and world hunger. [ In Edmonton,
we have worked on water, mining and the environment in Alberta,
Canadian mines in Latin America and the Philippines, affordable
housing, immigrants. This has involved working with different groups
across faith traditions and also with immigrant communities and
putting on information/guest speaker events together]
At this point there are many in our parish who take these issues
seriously: They are better informed, they make contact with
government leaders, through phone calls and letters, and they are
involved in "hands on" projects to improve the lives of others. Such
activity only increases as people become better informed on the
larger issues.
Cecily
