A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium


Outline of Presentation

I. DescriptionII. AnalysisIII.ResourcesIV.Discussion




I. Description

At the dawn of the third Christian millennium,

the Church continues to serve as a radical voice

for the voiceless, a strength for the

powerless, and a refuge for the abandoned.

How has the world and its cultures been

changed by the voice of the one crying in the

wilderness? Where is the voice crying now?




II. Analysis

A: identify the various colors of “the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes.

B: draw the broad strokes of the national and international picture, using the palette from that Church document to identify the most important issues.

C: let the picture “speak a 1000 words” by locating the voices who speak the language of Gaudium et Spes now.


II. AnalysisA: identify the various colors of

“the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes.






Promulgated at the very end of the Council, Dec. 7, 1965, G.S. is divided as follows:

PREFACE (## 1-3)

INTRODUCTION (##4-10)

PART I (##11- 45)

PART II (##46-88)

(CONCLUSION) (##89-93)


A: identify the various colors of “the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes. Although the document forms

an “organic unity,” the two Parts are very distinct.

As the Council mentions in a footnote to the title, this is a “pastoral constitution,” not a “dogmatic constitution.”

PART I (##11-45) has a “pastoral slant.”

PART II (##46-88) has a “doctrinal slant.”


A: identify the various colors of “the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes. PART I primarily presents

moral anthropology, i.e., a Catholic perspective upon the human person, relationships among persons, the person’s relationship to the world, and the person’s relationship to God.

PART II primarily presents moral norms or prudential judgments about human acts.


A: identify the various colors of “the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes. PART I uses the method of

“dialogue.

By adopting the modern perspective of the “turn to the subject,” the Church adopts language more familiar to secular life.

“Dialogue” is specifically mentioned 6 times (##21, 23, 25, 28, 40, 43).

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html


A: identify the various colors of “the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes. Since a dialogue requires a

give and take, the Council provides it in the form of questions and answers which happen in an presumed exchange between a courteous interlocutor and the Church’s voice.

Groups of questions are asked four times explicitly (## 10, 11, 12, 33).




The Council explains their dialogical approach to the world (#28):

Respect and love ought to be Respect and love ought to be extended also to those who extended also to those who think or act differently than think or act differently than we do in social, political and we do in social, political and even religious matters. In even religious matters. In fact, the more deeply we fact, the more deeply we come to understand their come to understand their ways of thinking through ways of thinking through such courtesy and love, the such courtesy and love, the more easily will we be able more easily will we be able to enter into dialogue with to enter into dialogue with them.them.



This love and good will, to be This love and good will, to be sure, must in no way render sure, must in no way render us indifferent to truth and us indifferent to truth and goodness. Indeed love itself goodness. Indeed love itself impels the disciples of Christ impels the disciples of Christ to speak the saving truth to to speak the saving truth to all people. But it is all people. But it is necessary to distinguish necessary to distinguish between error, which always between error, which always merits repudiation, and the merits repudiation, and the person in error, who never person in error, who never loses the dignity of being a loses the dignity of being a person even when flawed by person even when flawed by false or inadequate religious false or inadequate religious notions. God alone is the notions. God alone is the judge and searcher of judge and searcher of hearts; for that reason He hearts; for that reason He forbids us to make forbids us to make judgments about the internal judgments about the internal guilt of anyone.guilt of anyone.



This Council’s approach stands in stark contrast to the previous 20 ecumenical councils recognized by the Catholic Church.

Although all previous conciliar acts might be considered “internal” matters in contrast to the “external” relationship with the world in G.S., these councils all pronounced anathemas, condemning persons for particular theological positions.



G.S., though, pronounces judgment on human acts, not upon specifically named persons.

PART II (##46-88), with its doctrinal slant, concerns itself with identifying these acts, leaving the dialogical method aside.

In PART I, though, a very important judgment is made to set up for the specific statements in PART II.

(#27) Coming down to practical and particularly urgent Coming down to practical and particularly urgent consequences, this council lays stress on reverence for man consequences, this council lays stress on reverence for man ((homohomo);); everyone must consider his every neighbor without everyone must consider his every neighbor without exception as another self, taking into account first of all his life exception as another self, taking into account first of all his life and the means necessary to living it with dignity and the means necessary to living it with dignity [cf. James 2:15-[cf. James 2:15-

16],16], so as not to imitate the rich man who had no concern for so as not to imitate the rich man who had no concern for the poor man Lazarus the poor man Lazarus [Lk. 16:19-31][Lk. 16:19-31]..

In our times a special obligation binds us to make In our times a special obligation binds us to make ourselves the neighbor of every person without exception, and ourselves the neighbor of every person without exception, and of actively helping him when he comes across our path, of actively helping him when he comes across our path, {1}{1} whether he be an old person abandoned by all, whether he be an old person abandoned by all, {2}{2} a foreign a foreign laborer unjustly looked down upon, laborer unjustly looked down upon, {3}{3} a refugee, a refugee, {4}{4} a child a child born of an unlawful union and wrongly suffering for a sin he did born of an unlawful union and wrongly suffering for a sin he did not commit, or not commit, or {5}{5} a hungry person who disturbs our a hungry person who disturbs our conscience by recalling the voice of the Lord, "As long as you conscience by recalling the voice of the Lord, "As long as you did it for one of these the least of my brethren, you did it for did it for one of these the least of my brethren, you did it for me" (Matt. 25:40).me" (Matt. 25:40).

Furthermore, Furthermore, {1} whatever is hostile to life itself, {1} whatever is hostile to life itself, such as any kind of {a} homicide, {b} genocide, {c} such as any kind of {a} homicide, {b} genocide, {c} abortion, {d} euthanasia and {e} voluntary suicideabortion, {d} euthanasia and {e} voluntary suicide; ; {2} {2} whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as {a} mutilation, {b} physical and mental torture and {c} as {a} mutilation, {b} physical and mental torture and {c} attempts to coerce the spirit;attempts to coerce the spirit; {3} whatever is offensive to {3} whatever is offensive to human dignity, such as {a} subhuman living conditions, {b} human dignity, such as {a} subhuman living conditions, {b} arbitrary imprisonment, {c} deportation, {d} slavery, {e} arbitrary imprisonment, {c} deportation, {d} slavery, {e} prostitution and {f} trafficking in women and children;prostitution and {f} trafficking in women and children; {4} {4} degrading conditions of work which treat labourers as degrading conditions of work which treat labourers as mere instruments of profit, and not as free responsible mere instruments of profit, and not as free responsible persons:persons: all these and the like are a disgrace all these and the like are a disgrace ((probaproba),), and so and so long as they infect human civilization they contaminate long as they infect human civilization they contaminate those who inflict them more than those who suffer those who inflict them more than those who suffer injustice, and they are a negation of the honour due to the injustice, and they are a negation of the honour due to the Creator (Creator (Creatoris honori maxime contradicuntCreatoris honori maxime contradicunt))..



I believe that G.S. # 27 presents a “hierarchy of truths in morals” as a companion to the “hierarchy of truths in faith” which the Council proposed in the Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) #11:

When comparing doctrines When comparing doctrines with one another, they with one another, they should remember that in should remember that in Catholic doctrine there Catholic doctrine there exists a "hierarchy" of exists a "hierarchy" of truths, since they vary in truths, since they vary in their relation to the their relation to the fundamental Christian faith.fundamental Christian faith.



Although the Council does not detail this hierarchy of truths in faith, I suggest that it might be represented diagrammatically as follows, proceeding from the top downwards:

MostBlessed

Trinity(ad intra)

(Incarnation/Redemption)Missions

Of the Son&

Of the Spirit(ad extra)

(Revealed Truths)Mary (Immaculate Conception/Assumption)

Inerrant Word of GodThe Church (Magisterium)

Communion of Saints Sacramental/Liturgical Life

Human Person as Imago Dei & Fallen into Original SinDeath, Judgment, Heaven, Hell



I believe that G.S. #27 implies a similar hierarchy of truths in morals, proceeding from the most fundamental to the contingent. I suggest that it might be represented diagrammatically as follows:

Degrading workingconditions

Offenses to Human Dignity:subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment,deportation, slavery,prostitution, trafficking inwomen & children

Violates Human Personal Integrity:mutilations, physical & mentaltorture, coercion of the spirit

Hostile to Life itself: homicide,genocide, abortion, euthanasia,voluntary suicide



Still in PART I, the Council approaches the fundamental rights of the person from another perspective, i.e., discrimination:

(#29) With respect to the fundamental rights of the With respect to the fundamental rights of the person, {1} every type of discrimination, whether person, {1} every type of discrimination, whether {a} {a} socialsocial or {b} cultural,or {b} cultural, whether based on whether based on {c} sex,{c} sex, {d} race,{d} race, {e} color,{e} color, {f} social condition{f} social condition, {g} language, {g} language or or {h} religion{h} religion, , is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's intent intent (utpote Dei proposito contrarius).(utpote Dei proposito contrarius). For in truth it must still be For in truth it must still be regretted that fundamental personal rights are still not regretted that fundamental personal rights are still not being universally honored. being universally honored. Such is the case of {i} a Such is the case of {i} a woman who is denied the right {A} to choose a husband woman who is denied the right {A} to choose a husband freely, {B} to embrace a state of life or {C} to acquire an freely, {B} to embrace a state of life or {C} to acquire an education or {D} cultural benefits equal to those education or {D} cultural benefits equal to those recognized for men. recognized for men.



Before moving from Segment A of this Analysis to Segment B, a quote from the Council that connects PART I of G.S. to PART II of G.S. is exactly that voice crying in the wilderness which holds us accountable before the judgment seat of Almighty God.

(#43)…This split between the faith which many profess This split between the faith which many profess and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age. Long since, the Prophets of the Old serious errors of our age. Long since, the Prophets of the Old Testament fought vehemently against this scandal and even Testament fought vehemently against this scandal and even more so did Jesus Christ Himself in the New Testament more so did Jesus Christ Himself in the New Testament threaten it with grave punishments. Therefore, let there be no threaten it with grave punishments. Therefore, let there be no false opposition between professional and social activities on false opposition between professional and social activities on the one part, and religious life on the other. The Christian who the one part, and religious life on the other. The Christian who neglects his temporal duties, neglects his duties toward his neglects his temporal duties, neglects his duties toward his neighbor and even God, and jeopardizes his eternal neighbor and even God, and jeopardizes his eternal salvation. Christians should rather rejoice that, following the salvation. Christians should rather rejoice that, following the example of Christ Who worked as an artisan, they are free to example of Christ Who worked as an artisan, they are free to give proper exercise to all their earthly activities and to their give proper exercise to all their earthly activities and to their humane, domestic, professional, social and technical humane, domestic, professional, social and technical enterprises by gathering them into one vital synthesis with enterprises by gathering them into one vital synthesis with religious values, under whose supreme direction all things are religious values, under whose supreme direction all things are harmonized unto God's glory.harmonized unto God's glory.


II. AnalysisA: identify the various colors of

“the voice of the Church” in Vatican II’s great pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes.





B: draw the broad strokes of the national and international picture, using the palette from that Church document to identify the most important issues. Beginning with those acts

which are hostile to life itself, as the core of the hierarchy of truths in morals, the Council adds further judgments about:

• Homicide• Genocide• Abortion

About homicide, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning war:

(#79) Even though recent wars have wrought Even though recent wars have wrought physical and moral havoc on our world, the devastation of physical and moral havoc on our world, the devastation of battle still goes on day by day in some parts of the world. battle still goes on day by day in some parts of the world. Indeed, now that every kind of weapon produced by Indeed, now that every kind of weapon produced by modern science is used in war, the fierce character of modern science is used in war, the fierce character of warfare threatens to lead the combatants to a savagery warfare threatens to lead the combatants to a savagery far surpassing that of the past. Furthermore, the far surpassing that of the past. Furthermore, the complexity of the modern world and the intricacy of complexity of the modern world and the intricacy of international relations allow guerrilla warfare to be drawn international relations allow guerrilla warfare to be drawn out by new methods of deceit and subversion. In many out by new methods of deceit and subversion. In many causes the use of terrorism is regarded as a new way to causes the use of terrorism is regarded as a new way to wage war.wage war.

They continue with the strongest judgment found in the document:

(#80) [We] undertake an evaluation of war with an (#80) [We] undertake an evaluation of war with an entirely new attitude. The men of our time must realize entirely new attitude. The men of our time must realize that they will have to give a somber reckoning of their that they will have to give a somber reckoning of their deeds of war because the course of the future will depend deeds of war because the course of the future will depend greatly on the decisions they make today.greatly on the decisions they make today.

With these truths in mind, this most holy synod With these truths in mind, this most holy synod makes its own the condemnations of total war already makes its own the condemnations of total war already pronounced by recent popes, and issues the following pronounced by recent popes, and issues the following declaration.declaration.

Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the destruction of entire cities or extensive areas along with destruction of entire cities or extensive areas along with their population is a crime against God and man himself. It their population is a crime against God and man himself. It merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.

Terrorist Incidents > by Target Range: 01/01/1968 - 07/27/2006

413029997029174TOTAL

3725121061Utilities

3881066763Unknown

2347131591152Transportation

7311836258Tourists

461543271Terrorists/Former Terrorists

5577152Telecommunication

230061751177Religious Figures/Institutions

9265205515066Private Citizens & Property

6233109803193Police

227626751949Other

298294325NGO

16665556841Military

130293134Maritime

262394577Journalists & Media

482995164607Government

0512Food or Water Supply

5451420590Educational Institutions

135187542716Diplomatic

5343134303498Business

24482732827Airports & Airlines

225Abortion Related

FatalitiesInjuriesIncidentsTarget

MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp (expired; replaced by http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data/gtd/)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,OCHA Special Focus occupied Palestinian Territory

Documented civilian deaths from violence 90,906 – 99,269

http://www.iraqbodycount.org/database/

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=21&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Utilities

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=20&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Unknown

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=19&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Transportation

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=18&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Tourists

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=17&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Terrorists/Former%20Terrorists

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=16&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Telecommunication

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=15&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Religious%20Figures/Institutions

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=14&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Private%20Citizens%20&%20Property

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=13&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Police

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=12&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Other

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=11&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=NGO

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=10&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Military

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=9&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Maritime

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=8&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Journalists%20&%20Media

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=7&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Government

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=6&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Food%20or%20Water%20Supply

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=5&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Educational%20Institutions

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=4&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Diplomatic

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=3&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Business

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=2&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Airports%20&%20Airlines

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp?targetid=1&pagemode=incident&startDate=01/01/1968&endDate=07/27/2006&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&setFilter=3&detail=0&info=Abortion%20Related

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp

About genocide, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning war:

(#79) Contemplating this melancholy state of humanity, Contemplating this melancholy state of humanity, the council wishes, above all things else, to recall the the council wishes, above all things else, to recall the permanent binding force of universal natural law and its all-permanent binding force of universal natural law and its all-embracing principles. Man's conscience itself gives ever more embracing principles. Man's conscience itself gives ever more emphatic voice to these principles. Therefore, actions which emphatic voice to these principles. Therefore, actions which deliberately conflict with these same principles, as well as deliberately conflict with these same principles, as well as orders commanding such actions are criminal, and blind orders commanding such actions are criminal, and blind obedience cannot excuse those who yield to them. The most obedience cannot excuse those who yield to them. The most infamous among these are actions designed for the infamous among these are actions designed for the methodical extermination of an entire people, nation or ethnic methodical extermination of an entire people, nation or ethnic minority. Such actions must be vehemently condemned as minority. Such actions must be vehemently condemned as horrendous crimes horrendous crimes ((crimina horrendacrimina horrenda).). The courage of those who The courage of those who fearlessly and openly resist those who issue such commands fearlessly and openly resist those who issue such commands merits supreme commendation.merits supreme commendation.

PARALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Sudan: Amnesty International warns 2.2 million at risk in Darfur after aid agencies expelled

5 March 2009 Amnesty International today warned that 2.2 million people face the

risk of starvation and disease following yesterday’s decision by the Sudanese government to expel more than 10 aid agencies, including Oxfam, Care, Save the Children and Medecins Sans Frontieres.

“Millions of lives are at stake and this is no time to play political games,” said Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme. “These aid agencies provide the bulk of the humanitarian aid required by more than two million vulnerable people.”

“By expelling humanitarian agencies, the Sudanese government is effectively holding the entire civilian population of Darfur hostage – an aggressive act that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by the African Union, the League of Arab States and the international community as a whole.”

The expulsions came soon after a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Several other aid agencies had their assets seized.

About abortion, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning marital love:

(#51) For God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassing For God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassing ministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man. Therefore ministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man. Therefore from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes. The sexual care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes. The sexual characteristics of man and the human faculty of reproduction wonderfully characteristics of man and the human faculty of reproduction wonderfully exceed the dispositions of lower forms of life. Hence the acts themselves exceed the dispositions of lower forms of life. Hence the acts themselves which are proper to conjugal love and which are exercised in accord with which are proper to conjugal love and which are exercised in accord with genuine human dignity must be honored with great reverence. When there is genuine human dignity must be honored with great reverence. When there is question of harmonizing conjugal love with the responsible transmission of question of harmonizing conjugal love with the responsible transmission of life, the moral aspects of any procedure does not depend solely on sincere life, the moral aspects of any procedure does not depend solely on sincere intentions or on an evaluation of motives, but must be determined by intentions or on an evaluation of motives, but must be determined by objective standards. These, based on the nature of the human person and objective standards. These, based on the nature of the human person and his acts, preserve the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation his acts, preserve the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love. Such a goal cannot be achieved unless the virtue in the context of true love. Such a goal cannot be achieved unless the virtue of conjugal chastity is sincerely practiced. Relying on these principles, sons of conjugal chastity is sincerely practiced. Relying on these principles, sons of the Church may not undertake methods of birth control which are found of the Church may not undertake methods of birth control which are found blameworthy by the teaching authority of the Church in its unfolding of the blameworthy by the teaching authority of the Church in its unfolding of the divine law.divine law.

Abortion % of pregnancies by country, worldwide -- 2008 data, country average.

TOTAL Abortions, 1922 - 2007: 857,743,860 reported; 960,851,582 estimated Estimated current global monthly average: 1,206,000 abortions

Wm Robert Johnston http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/mapworldabrate.html

http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/mapworldabrate.html


B: draw the broad strokes of the national and international picture, using the palette from that Church document to identify the most important issues. Continuing with those acts

which violate human personal integrity, at the first circle from the core, the Council adds a further judgment about:

• Coercion of the spirit

About coercion of the spirit, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning life in the political community:

(#75) The complex circumstances of our day make it The complex circumstances of our day make it necessary for public authority to intervene more often in social, necessary for public authority to intervene more often in social, economic and cultural matters in order to bring about favorable economic and cultural matters in order to bring about favorable conditions which will give more effective help to citizens and conditions which will give more effective help to citizens and groups in their free pursuit of man's total well-being. The groups in their free pursuit of man's total well-being. The relations, however, between socialization and the autonomy and relations, however, between socialization and the autonomy and development of the person can be understood in different ways development of the person can be understood in different ways according to various regions and the evolution of peoples. But according to various regions and the evolution of peoples. But when the exercise of rights is restricted temporarily for the when the exercise of rights is restricted temporarily for the common good, freedom should be restored immediately upon common good, freedom should be restored immediately upon change of circumstances. Moreover, it is inhuman for public change of circumstances. Moreover, it is inhuman for public authority to fall back on dictatorial systems or totalitarian authority to fall back on dictatorial systems or totalitarian methods which violate the rights of the person or social groups.methods which violate the rights of the person or social groups.

PART III: U.S. ACTIONS TO ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

PART II: SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

GermanyBelgium

Denouncing Certain Religions by Identifying Them as Dangerous "Cults" or "Sects"

TurkeyRussiaPakistanMalaysiaIsrael and OccupiedTerritories

IndonesiaBruneiBelarusAzerbaijan

Discriminatory Legislation or Policies Pre-judicial to Certain Religions

Sri LankaIndiaEgyptBangladesh

State Neglect of Societal Discrimination or Abuses Against Religious Groups

VietnamUzbekistanSudanSaudi Arabia

LaosIranEritrea

State Hostility Toward Minority or Nonapproved Religions

North Korea

CubaTibetChinaBurma

Totalitarian or Authoritarian Actions to Control Religious Belief or Practice

PART I: BARRIERSTO INTER-NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

2005 International Religious Freedom Report, U.S. Department of State

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51386.htm, accessed 7-27-06

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51386.htm



Continuing with those acts which offend human dignity, the second circle from the core, the Council adds further judgments about:

• subhuman living conditions• arbitrary imprisonment• slavery

About subhuman living conditions, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning economic and social life:

(#63) Reasons for anxiety, however, are not lacking. Many Reasons for anxiety, however, are not lacking. Many people, especially in economically advanced areas, seem, as it were, to people, especially in economically advanced areas, seem, as it were, to be ruled by economics, so that almost their entire personal and social life be ruled by economics, so that almost their entire personal and social life is permeated with a certain economic way of thinking. Such is true both is permeated with a certain economic way of thinking. Such is true both of nations that favor a collective economy and of others. At the very time of nations that favor a collective economy and of others. At the very time when the development of economic life could mitigate social inequalities when the development of economic life could mitigate social inequalities (provided that it be guided and coordinated in a reasonable and human (provided that it be guided and coordinated in a reasonable and human way), it is often made to embitter them; or, in some places, it even results way), it is often made to embitter them; or, in some places, it even results in a decline of the social status of the underprivileged and in contempt for in a decline of the social status of the underprivileged and in contempt for the poor. While an immense number of people still lack the absolute the poor. While an immense number of people still lack the absolute necessities of life, some, even in less advanced areas, live in luxury or necessities of life, some, even in less advanced areas, live in luxury or squander wealth. Extravagance and wretchedness exist side by side. squander wealth. Extravagance and wretchedness exist side by side. While a few enjoy very great power of choice, the majority are deprived While a few enjoy very great power of choice, the majority are deprived of almost all possibility of acting on their own initiative and responsibility, of almost all possibility of acting on their own initiative and responsibility, and often subsist in living and working conditions unworthy of the human and often subsist in living and working conditions unworthy of the human person.person.

Of the 6.3 billion persons on earth, 17.4% live on less than $1/day.40% live on less that $2/day.

<$1/day<$2/day>$2/day

Over 800 million are hungry. 24,000 children die every day from starvation.

The world’s richest 500 individuals have a combined income greater than that of the poorest 416 million. The 2.5 billion people living on less than $2/day account for 5% of global income. The richest 10%, account for 54% of global income.

70% of the poor are women and children.In India, the death rate for children under 5 is 50% higher for girls than it is for boys =130,000 lives lost each year just because of gender.

In 2003, 3 million died from HIV/AIDS, leaving 5 million new infections. Millions of children have been orphaned. In one rural diocese in Uganda there are 150,000 AIDS orphans. Worldwide, 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS; 2/3 of them live in Africa. 90% live in the third world or the “South”, but of the billions spent each year on care, research and education, 90% is spent in the “North.”

It is commonly estimated that in the underdeveloped countries of Asia and Africa, the Catholic Church provides about 25% of all social services to the poor. http://www.crs.org/about_us/newsroom/speeches_and_testimony/releases.cfm?ID=32

http://www.crs.org/about_us/newsroom/speeches_and_testimony/releases.cfm?ID=32

About arbitrary imprisonment, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning war:

(#79) On the subject of war, quite a large number of On the subject of war, quite a large number of nations have subscribed to international agreements aimed at nations have subscribed to international agreements aimed at making military activity and its consequences less inhuman. making military activity and its consequences less inhuman. Their stipulations deal with such matters as the treatment of Their stipulations deal with such matters as the treatment of wounded soldiers and prisoners. Agreements of this sort must wounded soldiers and prisoners. Agreements of this sort must be honored. Indeed they should be improved upon so that the be honored. Indeed they should be improved upon so that the frightfulness of war can be better and more workably held in frightfulness of war can be better and more workably held in check. All men, especially government officials and experts in check. All men, especially government officials and experts in these matters, are bound to do everything they can to effect these matters, are bound to do everything they can to effect these improvements. Moreover, it seems right that laws make these improvements. Moreover, it seems right that laws make humane provisions for the case of those who for reasons of humane provisions for the case of those who for reasons of conscience refuse to bear arms, provided however, that they conscience refuse to bear arms, provided however, that they agree to serve the human community in some other way.agree to serve the human community in some other way.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is mandated by the international community, under the Geneva Conventions, to visit prisoners of war and civilian internees to verify whether they are being treated according to relevant international standards. In addition, it also seeks to visit those held in situations of internal violence.

In 2005, the ICRC visited more than 500,000 prisoners of war and detainees in more than 80 countries.

ICRC detention visits aim to ensure respect for the life and dignity of prisoners of war and other detainees and to prevent torture, ill-treatment or abuse which violate essential rights and the basic principles of humanity, breed hatred and feed a cycle of violence. Regular visits enable the ICRC to track prisoners' whereabouts and make recommendations to the authorities concerned about any improvements to conditions that may be necessary.

http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/iwpList2/Home?OpenDocument

About slavery, the Council makes the further judgment almost immediately after #27, as a kind of punctuation about its evil:

(#29) Human institutions, both private and public, must Human institutions, both private and public, must labor to minister to the dignity and purpose of man. At the same labor to minister to the dignity and purpose of man. At the same time let them put up a stubborn fight against any kind of slavery, time let them put up a stubborn fight against any kind of slavery, whether social or political, and safeguard the basic rights.whether social or political, and safeguard the basic rights.

Slavery exists today despite the fact that it is banned in most of the countries where it is practised. •Bonded labour affects millions of people around the world. People become bonded labourers by taking or being tricked into taking a loan for as little as the cost of medicine for a sick child. To repay the debt, many are forced to work long hours, seven days a week, up to 365 days a year. They receive basic food and shelter as 'payment' for their work, but may never pay off the loan, which can be passed down for generations.•Early and forced marriage affects women & girls who are married without choice and are forced into lives of servitude often accompanied by physical violence.•Forced labour affects people who are illegally recruited by individuals, governments or political parties and forced to work -- usually under threat of violence or other penalties.•Slavery by descent is where people are either born into a slave class or are from a 'group' that society views as suited to being used as slave labour. •Trafficking involves the transport and/or trade of people -- women, children and men -- from one area to another for the purpose of forcing them into slavery conditions.



Continuing with degrading working conditions, the third circle from the core, the Council adds a further judgment

About degrading working conditions, the Council makes the further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning economic and social life:

(#67) Since economic activity for the most part implies the Since economic activity for the most part implies the associated work of human beings, any way of organizing and directing it associated work of human beings, any way of organizing and directing it which may be detrimental to any working men and women would be which may be detrimental to any working men and women would be wrong and inhuman. It happens too often, however, even in our days, that wrong and inhuman. It happens too often, however, even in our days, that workers are reduced to the level of being slaves to their own work. This is workers are reduced to the level of being slaves to their own work. This is by no means justified by the so-called economic laws. The entire process by no means justified by the so-called economic laws. The entire process of productive work, therefore, must be adapted to the needs of the person of productive work, therefore, must be adapted to the needs of the person and to his way of life, above all to his domestic life, especially in respect and to his way of life, above all to his domestic life, especially in respect to mothers of families, always with due regard for sex and age. The to mothers of families, always with due regard for sex and age. The opportunity, moreover, should be granted to workers to unfold their own opportunity, moreover, should be granted to workers to unfold their own abilities and personality through the performance of their work. Applying abilities and personality through the performance of their work. Applying their time and strength to their employment with a due sense of their time and strength to their employment with a due sense of responsibility, they should also all enjoy sufficient rest and leisure to responsibility, they should also all enjoy sufficient rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious life. They should also cultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious life. They should also have the opportunity freely to develop the energies and potentialities have the opportunity freely to develop the energies and potentialities which perhaps they cannot bring to much fruition in their professional which perhaps they cannot bring to much fruition in their professional work.work.

• The global number of child labourers in the age group 5-17 decreased from 246 million in 2000 to 218 million in 2004, a decrease of 11%. The % of child labourers in this age group went down from 16% (1 in 6) in 2000 to 14% (1 in 7) in 2004.• The number of children aged 5-17 engaged in hazardous work has declined by 26%, from 171 million in 2000 to 126 million in 2004. With 33%, the decline in the age group 5-14 has even been sharper.• Latin America & the Caribbean stand out in terms of a rapid decline of child labour. The number of children at work in the region has fallen by 2/3 over the last 4 years, with just 5% of children ages 5-14 now engaged in work.• With 26%, or close to 50 million child workers, the proportion of children engaged in economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa is currently the highest of any region in the world.• In the Asian-Pacific region, 122 million children ages 5-14 are engaged in work, 5 million fewer than four years ago. Less than 20% of Asian children in that age group are now at work.• In industrialized countries, about 2.5 million children under the age of 15 were at work in 2000.• Almost 7 out of 10 working children are in the agricultural sector; whereas 22% work in services and 9% in industry, including mining, construction and manufacturing.http://www.ilo.org/dyn/declaris/DECLARATIONWEB.DOWNLOAD_BLOB?Var_DocumentID=6215


II. Analysis







(#72) Christians who (#72) Christians who take an active part in take an active part in

present-day socio-economic present-day socio-economic development and fight for development and fight for

justice and charity should be justice and charity should be convinced that they can convinced that they can

make a great contribution to make a great contribution to the prosperity of humanity the prosperity of humanity

and to the peace of the and to the peace of the world…Whoever in world…Whoever in

obedience to Christ seeks obedience to Christ seeks first the Kingdom of God, first the Kingdom of God,

takes therefrom a stronger takes therefrom a stronger and purer love for helping all and purer love for helping all

one’s brothers and sisters one’s brothers and sisters and for perfecting the work of and for perfecting the work of

justice under the inspiration justice under the inspiration of charity.of charity.


C: let the picture “speak a 1000 words” by locating the voices who speak the language of Gaudium et Spes now. (# 90) …Finally, it is (# 90) …Finally, it is

very much to be desired that very much to be desired that Catholics, in order to fulfill Catholics, in order to fulfill

their role properly in the their role properly in the international community, will international community, will

seek to cooperate actively seek to cooperate actively and in a positive manner and in a positive manner both with their separated both with their separated brothers and sisters who brothers and sisters who

together with them profess together with them profess the Gospel of charity and the Gospel of charity and

with all people thirsting for with all people thirsting for true peace…true peace…

http://www.comshalom.org/portal/



I. DescriptionII. AnalysisIII.ResourcesIV.DiscussionIII.Resources

• INTERNET•BOOKS


• INTERNET• BOOKS• INTERNET

III.Resources

Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html







• INTERNETThe Society of Catholic Social Scientists at http://www.catholicsocialscientists.org/ (the most extensive database of institutes and organizations working in Catholic Social Thought as a result of a collaborative effort between the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace)

http://www.catholicsocialscientists.org/



http://www.stthomas.edu/cathstudies/cst/

http://www.stthomas.edu/cathstudies/cst/

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/


• INTERNETUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops http://www.usccb.org/index.shtml•Church Documents, •Church Life & Ministries,•Evangelization & Outreach,•Family & Laity Issues, •Life Issues, •Social Justice Issues

http://www.usccb.org/index.shtml

http://www.usccb.org/index.shtml


• INTERNETArchdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis http://www.osjspm.org (best diocesan site)

National Catholic Rural Life Conference http://www.ncrlc.com(most underutilized)

http://www.osjspm.org/

http://www.ncrlc.com/


• INTERNET• BOOKS• BOOKS

III.ResourcesCatechism of the Catholic Church. Washington, DC: U.S.C.C.B., Inc.-Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997.

THE Reference text. Part III provides the most accessibility to Gaudium et Spes; needs to be studied. Justice & Peace teaching is highlighted especially in Part III, Sec. 1, Ch. 2 “The Human Community” and Part III, Sec. 2, Commandments, 7, 8, & 10.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm




• BOOKSPontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Washington, DC: U.S.C.C.B., Inc.-Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2004.

Not as authoritative as CCC. Quotes from Gaudium et Spes most often after Scriptures and CCC. Broad understanding of social doctrine from “Roman School” > highlights virtue of love the most. Very compatible with Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/index_en.htm


• BOOKSBruce Malchow. Social Justice in the Hebrew Bible. Collegeville, MN: A Michael Glazier Book/Liturgical Press, 1996.

Excellent, concise, historical-critical approach to topic in all books. Could help enhance preaching on Old Testament significantly.


• BOOKSMarvin L. Krier Mich. Catholic Social Teaching and Movements. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1998.

Good overview of 20th C. Magisterial teachings, movements, and personalities for a theologically teachable audience, like undergraduates. Sensitive to feminist and ecological perspectives.


• BOOKSThomas Massaro. Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Franklin, WI: Sheed & Ward, 2000.

Good introductory text of 20th C. Magisterial teachings, movements, and personalities for adult education and high school audiences. Favors revisionist approach to moral theology.


• BOOKSEdward P. Deberri, James E. Hug, Peter J. Henriot, & Michael J. Schultheis. Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret. 4th Rev. & Ex. Ed. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003.

Good outline text for parish justice & peace committees, St. Vincent de Paul, or RCIA. Attempts comprehensive list of 20th & early 21st C. Magisterial documents. Includes paraphrase outlines of documents with a liberationist bent.


• BOOKSAnthony Ciorra & James Keating. Moral Formation in the Parish: With Your Whole Heart Turn to God. New York: Alba House, 1998.

Excellent tool for parishes who embrace the new evangelization. Many helpful exercises for parish staffs and councils from the perspective of new faithful orthodoxy.


• BOOKSKristin E. Heyer. Prophetic & Public: The Social Witness of U.S. Catholicism. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2006.

Newly-released comparison of “new wineskins” approach of Michael Baxter, C.S.C., and Bostonian J. Bryan Hehir along with case studies of USCCB, NETWORK, and Pax Christi USA.



I. DescriptionII. AnalysisIII.ResourcesIV.DiscussionIV.Discussion

Who are the voiceless, the powerless, and the abandoned to whom God is sending you to bring joy and hope?

How will you be able to use this analysis?

How will you be able to use these resources?

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium

Spiritual

Transcript of A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium