|
|
Our culture is tempted to turn inward, becoming
indifferent and sometimes isolationist in the face of international
responsibilities. Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our
brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are one human
family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and
ideological differences. Learning to practice the virtue of
solidarity means learning that “loving our neighbor” has global
dimensions in an interdependent world. This virtue is described by
John Paul II as “a firm and persevering determination to commit
oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of
each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” (Sollicitudo
Rei Socialis, no. 38)
~
“We are one human family, whatever our national,
racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.” The Church
speaks of a “universal” common good that reaches beyond our nation’s
borders to the global community. Solidarity recognizes that the fates
of the peoples of the earth are linked. Solidarity requires richer
nations to aid poorer ones, commands respect for different cultures,
demands justice in international relationships, and calls on all
nations to live in peace with one another.
~
“Because peace, like the kingdom of God itself,
is both a divine gift and a human work, the Church should continually
pray for the gift and share in the work. We are called to be a Church
at the service of peace, precisely because peace is one manifestation
of God’s word and work in our midst.”
– National Conference of Catholic
Bishops, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response,
no. 23
~
|
|
“This moreover must be repeated: what is
superfluous in richer regions must serve the needs of the regions in
want. . . . Their avarice, if continued, will call down the
punishment of God and arouse the anger of the poor . . .”
– Pope Paul VI, On The Development
of Peoples (Populorum Progressio), no. 49
~
“Interdependence must be transformed into
solidarity, based upon the principle that the goods of creation
are meant for all. That which human industry produces through the
processing of raw materials, with the contribution of work, must serve
equally for the good of all . . .
“Solidarity helps us to see the
‘other’ – whether a person, people or nation – not just as some
kind of instrument, with a work capacity and physical strength to be
exploited at low cost and then discarded when no longer useful, but as
our ‘neighbor,’ a ‘helper,’ to be made a sharer, on a par with
ourselves, in the banquet of life to which all are equally invited by
God.”
– Pope John Paul II, On Social
Concern (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis), no. 39
~
We are called to global solidarity. We are one
human family regardless of national, racial, ethnic, gender, economic,
or ideological boundaries. Global solidarity expresses concerns for
world peace and international development.
- Genesis
22:17-18; Psalm 22:28-29 (save all nations)
- Isaiah 2:1-4;
Micah 4:1-3 (peace for all nations)
- Romans 10:12
(no national distinctions in God)
- Galatians 3:28
(all one in Christ)
~
|
|
