Cajilig, Rizza Gem M.
3AHR

Catholic responses to Injustices

This chapter is about how social action responds to the reality of domestic and international injustices that we are facing. Christians are called to work in collaboration with all people of good will, through the institutions of civil society to promote human flourishing, enhance human dignity, the common good and solidarity between all God’s people and the integrity of the whole of God’s creation. Christians need to work out their responses to these in the light of His teaching and the cumulative reflections of the Church in constant dialogue with critical thinkers and changing circumstances of the times. According to John Fuellenbach, the ‘‘kingdom-process” is God’s intervention is to be received as a gift and human cooperation is to be understood as a task. In other words, justice-seeking is primarily the Christian’s openness and response to God’s call to realize His Kingdom, here on earth as in heaven. The Church’s social teaching is a dynamic creation and seeks to address the different moral questions which emerge in each age.
Johan Verstraeten has drawn attention to the importance of embodying the developing tradition of Catholic social thought in community institutions which are ‘carriers’ of that tradition. But in changed social circumstances there is a need to create ‘a new bearer of that tradition. In other words, when the social context in which Catholic social tradition concretizes itself becomes radically different from the past, when the classic forms of Catholic social movements disappear or become secularized, Catholic social teaching would become meaningless if it refused to adapt and reinterpret its original form and content. Political Opportunities e gave rise to the issues around which collective action might be needed and determined whether or not an organized movement could be established. Mobilizing structures s included factors such as the availability of resources, appropriate leadership, committed members, communication networks, and so on. Framing processes is the way in which the SMO fashioned and maintained a shared ideology and set of goals that motivated social action among the members. As a Catholic, this is how we should respond whenever we encounter social injustices. Cultivate a spirituality of justice-seeking, Start in a small way doing something, become an ethically conscious consumer, become an ethical investor, develop a concern for the environment, seek relationships with marginalized and excluded people, join a group or a campaigning organization, Join or start a parish justice and peace group, become familiar with Catholic social thought, participate in political action, and share gifts with those less fortunate.
Unjust actions happen. But we cannot always assume the thoughts and motives behind those actions. Some people wish to hurt others, for a variety of reasons that are often related to past experiences. Some act out of fear or defensiveness. Some work against anything good God wants to do in the world and for any way they can derail God’s destiny and purpose for people. Some are ignorant of the impact of their actions. Some are proud of their actions and make sure the public records declare forever how they demanded to be unjust with others.

Cajilig, Rizza Gem M.
3AHR
a.Rerum NovarumE.T: “Of New Things” | b.Pope Leo XIII1891 | c. Pope Leo XIII highlights the principles necessary to bring about a just society introducing the ‘just wage theory’, these principles include protecting the rights of workers, free association being defended by the state and private property defended but limited. | d. Rerum Novarum was the first of the modern wave of social encyclicals. Leo was acutely aware of the poverty of many workers and of the growth in power of socialist movements. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |