Chapter 8. Concern for our neighbour transcends the confines of national communities and has...

Chapter 8Chapter 8

What is Solidarity?What is Solidarity?

What is Solidarity?What is Solidarity?

Concern for our neighbour transcends the confines of national Concern for our neighbour transcends the confines of national communities and has increasingly broadened its horizon to the communities and has increasingly broadened its horizon to the whole world. The Second Vatican Council rightly observed that whole world. The Second Vatican Council rightly observed that “among the signs of our times, one particularly worthy of note “among the signs of our times, one particularly worthy of note is a growing, inescapable sense of solidarity between all is a growing, inescapable sense of solidarity between all

peoples.” State agencies and peoples.” State agencies and humanitarian associations work humanitarian associations work

to promote this, the former mainly to promote this, the former mainly through subsidies or tax relief, the latter through subsidies or tax relief, the latter by making available considerable by making available considerable resources. The solidarity shown by civil resources. The solidarity shown by civil society thus significantly surpasses that society thus significantly surpasses that shown by individuals. shown by individuals.

Solidarity and ImmigrationSolidarity and Immigration


The ultimate resolution of the problems associated with forced migration and illegal immigration lies in changing the conditions that drive persons from their countries of origin. Accordingly, we urge the governments of the world, particularly our own government, to promote a just peace in those countries that are at war, to protect human rights in those countries that deny them, and to foster the economic development of those countries that are unable to provide for their own peoples. We also urge the governments of the "receiving" countries to welcome these immigrants, to provide for their immediate needs, and to enable them to come to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in DiversityIssued by the NCCB/USCC, November 15, 2000


"Give me your tired, your poor,"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning Your huddled masses yearning

to breathe free, The wretched to breathe free, The wretched

refuse of your teeming shore. refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, Send these, the homeless,

tempest-tost to me, I lift my tempest-tost to me, I lift my

lamp beside the golden door!“lamp beside the golden door!“

From the poem, “The New Colossus” From the poem, “The New Colossus”

by Emma Lazarus by Emma Lazarus

Solidarity and PeaceSolidarity and Peace


There are a number of skills we can use to help us deal with a conflict situation. These skills do not have to be used in any particular order. They can be used individually or in combination. Many people will use different combinations of skills to deal with a conflict situation depending on:•their experience and comfort with that skill or method•who the conflict is with •the extent of conflict occurring•the desired outcomes needed.


Civil disobedience Civil disobedience is the public act of willfully disobeying the law is the public act of willfully disobeying the law and/or the commands of an authority figure, to make a political and/or the commands of an authority figure, to make a political statement. Participants expect to be arrested, and are frequently statement. Participants expect to be arrested, and are frequently charged with crimes such as trespass, failure to disperse, or failure to charged with crimes such as trespass, failure to disperse, or failure to obey an officer. Civil disobedience is generally understood to be obey an officer. Civil disobedience is generally understood to be nonviolent, although some have argued that violent acts can also be nonviolent, although some have argued that violent acts can also be considered a form of civil disobedience.considered a form of civil disobedience.

The purpose of civil disobedience is to convey a political message, The purpose of civil disobedience is to convey a political message, which is accomplished through which is accomplished through increased media coverage of theincreased media coverage of theissue. Also, if the law broken is issue. Also, if the law broken is the law being protested, it sendsthe law being protested, it sendsthe message to authority figures the message to authority figures that people consider the law sothat people consider the law sounjust, they are willing to openlyunjust, they are willing to openlydisobey it. disobey it.

Woolworth sit-in – Greensboro, NCWoolworth sit-in – Greensboro, NCFebruary, 1960February, 1960

Absolute pacifists Absolute pacifists – Someone who refuses to kill – Someone who refuses to kill whatever the circumstances. Even in self-defense.whatever the circumstances. Even in self-defense.

Conditional pacifists Conditional pacifists – Someone who generally – Someone who generally opposes war, but may accept there are times when it is opposes war, but may accept there are times when it is necessary, for example, when you’re country is invaded necessary, for example, when you’re country is invaded and you are defending your family and country.and you are defending your family and country.

Selective pacifists Selective pacifists – Someone who will decide whether a war is – Someone who will decide whether a war is morally justified or not. For example, they may refuse to fight for morally justified or not. For example, they may refuse to fight for their country if they feel that their country is engaging in an unjust their country if they feel that their country is engaging in an unjust war. Selective pacifists may particularly oppose war using weapons war. Selective pacifists may particularly oppose war using weapons of mass-destruction, e.g. nuclear weapons, biological weapons.of mass-destruction, e.g. nuclear weapons, biological weapons.


Discrimination: An Offense Against SolidarityDiscrimination: An Offense Against Solidarity


Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father. Racism is the sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of races. It is the sin that makes racial characteristics the determining factor for the exercise of human rights. It mocks the words of Jesus: "Treat others the way you would have them treat you." Indeed, racism is more than a disregard for the words of Jesus; it is a denial of the truth of the dignity of eachhuman being revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation.


If you want peace,

work for justice.

Blessed Pope Paul VI

1897 - 1978

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