Social Justice- "Catholic Themes" (Part 1)

Social Justice:

Social Justice concerns itself with our responsibility to ensure that all people are given a ‘fair go’; equality within society

Some issues that social justice aims to cover are:

-          Poverty

-          Child Labour

-          Refugees

-          Homelessness

-          Hunger

Dignity of the Human Person:

Belief in the inherent pride of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision of society. This principle is grounded in the idea that the person is made in the image of God. Each individual is the clearest reflection of God around us.

*Human dignity is the foundation of Catholic Social teaching.

Question 2: Human dignity is self respect and pride in oneself and others, as we are all made in God’s image.  If someone is concerned with social justice issues e.g. poverty, child labour, they do not have as much dignity and self respect.

-          A moral society is one that is ethical, fair and respectful of others. It tries to give everyone equality.

Common Good and Community:

The human person is sacred and social; we live, grow and achieve together and all humans must be valued in society. We realise our dignity and rights through our relationship with others. Human dignity can only be realised and protected in the context of relationships with wider communities.

*Common good is the services and goods in society we all have access to e.g. roads

Option for the Poor:

The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. A healthy society can only be achieved if it’s members give special attention to those with special needs.

Society must consider ad help the poor in society, governments must help the poor (end the poverty cycle- no job= no money=no house=crime /poverty=no way out)

1.       A community I am a part of is the Stella Maris community, the Australian community, or for other examples: sport team community, suburb community, church group

2.       The Stella community is sacred and social because it makes you feel as if you belong or you are a part of something, you are educated, you form friendships.

3.       The major test of a moral society is to give special attention to those with special needs, democracy and equal distribution of wealth from taxes i.e. to roads, hospitals

4.       To look after the poor, our community (Sydney) looks after them through donations/charity, the dole (social security) and public housing.