What does 'social justice' mean?

[Bill_7154]

I am sort of familiar with one meaning of it from the perspective of a certain segment of the US population, people who consider themselves to be ‘progressives’.

But what does ‘social justice’ mean to Catholics? What did it mean to Jesus Christ? What does it mean to you?

I am really not sure what it means to me, but it seems to me that since there is a forum with the title ‘social justice’, and it also seems pretty clear to me there is a lot of disagreement on the subject here, I’m hoping to develop a better, more sound definition of what it actually means. I’m particularly in learning and understanding what it means as I strive to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and as I learn how to live properly as someone who has just recently returned to the Catholic Faith.

Are there various definitions of what it means? If so, what are they?

It is an important topic to me as I seek to better learn the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to strive to put that learning into practice in my life.

Or possibly it doesn’t matter what it means at all? I am well aware that various individuals, and/or groups of individuals have agenda’s as to how to ‘achieve’ social justice based on their understanding of social justice.

In this thread I hope to AVOID having any such discussions about how to ‘achieve’ social justice based on any one or different meanings.

What I hope to achieve is to hear from different individuals what they think and feel that it means based on their life experience, their learning from their religion, their learning from wherever it may have come from.

So what is ‘social justice’? What does that in fact mean. And in keeping true of avoiding political discussion in this forum, again, I hope to avoid discussions/debates about how people feel it should be achieved/not achieved and simply focus on what it actually means.

Because, in all honestly, I do not feel as though I have a full and comprehensive understanding of what it means when we take into account the complexity of society.

I suppose that my best stab at what it means to me at present is something along the lines of:

People, when interacting with one another on a personal level (this could include being in traffic in a car) treat their fellow human beings with common courtesy, dignity, and respect. I would also include in my definition that should one encounter an individual in what appeared to be some sort of medical emergency, or some sort of emminent danger, that they make efforts to intervene in such a way that they do not endanger themselves with the goal of getting this person medical/police assistance (or similar).

So, what does ‘social justice’ mean to you? What’s your understanding of what that phrase means? (please avoid politics as it’s not allowed in this forum and I don’t want to see this thread closed because of such discussions).

God Bless,
Bill

 

[Elizium23]

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/

Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. Its roots are in the Hebrew prophets who announced God’s special love for the poor and called God’s people to a covenant of love and justice. It is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came “to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind”(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with “the least of these,” the hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45). Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor. This commitment arises from our experiences of Christ in the eucharist.

Catholic social teaching emerges from the truth of what God has revealed to us about himself. We believe in the triune God whose very nature is communal and social. God the Father sends his only Son Jesus Christ and shares the Holy Spirit as his gift of love. God reveals himself to us as one who is not alone, but rather as one who is relational, one who is Trinity. Therefore, we who are made in God’s image share this communal, social nature. We are called to reach out and to build relationships of love and justice.

Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity. Every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Human dignity comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment.

—from Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions.

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Transforming social realities with the power of the Gospel, to which witness is borne by women and men faithful to Jesus Christ, has always been a challenge and it remains so today at the beginning of the third millennium of the Christian era. The proclamation of Jesus Christ, the “Good News” of salvation, love, justice and peace, is not readily received in today’s world, devastated as it is by wars, poverty and injustices. For this very reason the men and women of our day have greater need than ever of the Gospel: of the faith that saves, of the hope that enlightens, of the charity that loves.

The Church is an expert in humanity, and anticipating with trust and with active involvement she continues to look towards the “new heavens” and the “new earth” (2 Pet 3:13), which she indicates to every person, in order to help people to live their lives in the dimension of authentic meaning. “Gloria Dei vivens homo”: the human person who fully lives his or her dignity gives glory to God, who has given this dignity to men and women.

 

[Jeanne_S]

,social justice is not to be confused with socialism,they are not one in the same.Howver,a lot of Catholics seem to think otherwise.:

 

[RyanBlack]

,social justice is not to be confused with socialism,they are not one in the same.Howver,a lot of Catholics seem to think otherwise.:

Absolutely. Catholic social teaching is not to be confused with socialism. OTOH, it seems to me that while there is a group of Catholics who make this mistake, there is also a group of Catholics who attempt to discredit every government program they don’t like by branding them as socialism–whether or not the label actually fits.

 

[Elizabeth502]

,social justice is not to be confused with socialism,they are not one in the same.Howver,a lot of Catholics seem to think otherwise.:

 

[Elizabeth502]

Absolutely. Catholic social teaching is not to be confused with socialism. OTOH, it seems to me that while there is a group of Catholics who make this mistake, there is also a group of Catholics who attempt to discredit every government program they don’t like by branding them as socialism–whether or not the label actually fits.

It may “seem” that way, but I doubt there’s a way to verify that. I’ll just say that I am most certainly not in the latter group.

A proper interpretation of social justice is a call to seek- continually- effective solutions for short-term and long-term poverty and other social problems, starting at the local level (the Catholic value of subsidiarity). Social justice relates to awareness, education, practical problem-solving and advocacy, while not recklessly suggesting actions which will put those without power at risk, as well as individually engaging in the corporal works of mercy whenever we can. Social justice does not sit complacently by, expecting government to be the instrument of “justice,” but rather is manifested in individuals who privately or collectively work to alleviate poverty while also promoting dignity.

Social justice is not a political party platform.

Perhaps most importantly, particular legislative or other civil measures cannot be supported when, despite some aspect of social justice within them, these same measures violate either justice for other needy population groups or provide a superficial “justice” at the expense of core Catholic morality.

 

[Jerry_Westerby]

…So, what does ‘social justice’ mean to you? What’s your understanding of what that phrase means? (please avoid politics as it’s not allowed in this forum and I don’t want to see this thread closed because of such discussions).

God Bless,
Bill

no legal analysis or discussion of social policy and how to implement this time.

**you personally **feed the hungry
you clothe the naked
**you **visit the jailed
you provide for the widows and orphans and strangers
if you are wealthy imitate the father of the prodigal son, own wealth but do not be owned by it.

Westerby

 

[SamH]

,social justice is not to be confused with socialism,they are not one in the same.Howver,a lot of Catholics seem to think otherwise.:

Nor should it be confused with financial envy.

 

[SamH]

no legal analysis or discussion of social policy and how to implement this time.

**you personally **feed the hungry
you clothe the naked
**you **visit the jailed
you provide for the widows and orphans and strangers
if you are wealthy act imitate the father of the prodigal son, own wealth but do not be owned by it.

Westerby

Agreed.

Most social and welfare programs were created by those that wish to remove their personal responsibility towards the less fortunate and make it everyone else’s.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Nor should it be confused with financial envy.

Right on!

 

[Jerry_Westerby]

I don’t think Jesus cares about short term policy or long term policy, or advocacy or education or what is or isn’t reckless or welfare or workfare or doing things in exactly the right way, or politeness or financial envy or socialism or capitalism or anything external. we’re not even required to be effective, but we are required to do. Catholic social justice is a **personal **obligation on a personal level.

‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and** you **gave me drink. I was a stranger, and **you **took me in. I was naked, and **you **clothed me. I was sick, and **you **visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
"The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

before you worry about social justice in the public sense, do what Christ requires you to do personally.

Westerby

 

[Elizabeth502]

I don’t think Jesus cares about short term policy or long term policy, or advocacy or education or what is or isn’t reckless or welfare or workfare

Your bishops, collectively, as those with charisms to interpret Jesus’ words, have absolutely interpreted social justice as including action and evaluation about short-term and long-term policy. I hate to disappoint you, but we Catholics do not engage in Sola Scriptura, or in private interpretation of Scripture. They, the U.S.bishops, have interpreted the words of Jesus to apply to how poverty is handled in contemporary society, as one of the many aspects of social justice.

Whether “you think,” personally, that Jesus “didn’t care about that” is neither here nor there. The bishops have spoken on the matter.

Catholic social justice is a **personal **obligation on a personal level.

Which several of us already addressed (affirmed), but which nevetheless the Bishops have also indicated is not necessarily sufficient for every issue of social justice.

before you worry about social justice in the public sense, do what Christ requires you to do personally.

(1) It’s not “either/or” or “before/after,” iit is, according to the US Bishops, Both/And.
(2) I specifically mentioned the corporal works of mercy (doing personally). Do you not know what the corporal works of mercy are?

 

[Bill_7154]

Nor should it be confused with financial envy.

I really don’t understand what this means in the context of this thread. Can you expand upon your statement to help me understand what your saying?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Jerry_Westerby]

Your bishops, collectively, as those with charisms to interpret Jesus’ words, have absolutely interpreted social justice as including action and evaluation about short-term and long-term policy. I hate to disappoint you, but we Catholics do not engage in Sola Scriptura, or in private interpretation of Scripture. They, the U.S.bishops, have interpreted the words of Jesus to apply to how poverty is handled in contemporary society, as one of the many aspects of social justice.

Whether “you think,” personally, that Jesus “didn’t care about that” is neither here nor there. The bishops have spoken on the matter.

Which several of us already addressed (affirmed), but which nevetheless the Bishops have also indicated is not necessarily sufficient for every issue of social justice.

(1) It’s not “either/or” or “before/after,” iit is, according to the US Bishops, Both/And.
(2) I specifically mentioned the corporal works of mercy (doing personally). Do you not know what the corporal works of mercy are?

I’ve give you no cause to accuse me of the error of sola sciptura.

I do some public interest law that concerns policy like this so I know these issues, but Jesus said, feed the hungry. so that’s what I consider most important and this is my primary concern in responding to what the OP asked. Jesus did not say, “when I was hungry you engaged in long term policy making that carefully trod between socialism and capitalism while not making anyone financially dependent on the largesse of government or jealous of wealth”. He said, feed the hungry.

how anyone can worry about long term policy without first personally feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, caring for the orphan I do not understand. these are the core values of Catholic social justice and **vastly **more important than voting for a candidate who endorses welfare reform in the manner approved by our bishops or spending hours drafting policy and regulations. these are desirable things, but they are not core to what Jesus meant.

at the the end of the day, Jesus is not going to care whether my (name removed by moderator)ut into welfare reform made it into the books, He’s going to ask whether I fed Him when he was hungry, visited Him in jail … .

Westerby

 

[SamH]

I really don’t understand what this means in the context of this thread. Can you expand upon your statement to help me understand what your saying?

Thanks,
Bill

No.

 

[Bill_7154]

but we Catholics do not engage in Sola Scriptura, or in private interpretation of Scripture.

This is the first time I’ve ever heard this. And I wish to understand in general, NOT specifically to what this thread is about. It’s of UTTER IMPORTANCE TO ME so PLEASE EVERYONE try and help me with this if you choose to do so, I would be very greatful.

I have recently rediscovered (actually a more true way of stating it would be that I discovered it for the first time recently, I was raised Catholic but was not invested, now I have faith and seek to have God and Jesus close to my heart and actively participate in learning how to better serve God and Jesus, to learn the teachings of Christ, to learn how to be a good and proper Catholic, etc) my faith. So a lot has taken place over the past 30-40 years with respect to the Catholic Faith that I was not/am not privy to as of this point.

But is it actually true that I am not supposed to read the Bible and then seek to understand the messages contained within them based on reflection and using my mind, heart, soul that God gave me to interpret what a certain passage means, to reflect upon it as it pertains to what I may have encountered in my life, etc?

Are you saying that the Bible, in effect, has been broken down into ‘cliff notes’ by Church leaders and I, as a good Catholic, am to obtain these cliff notes and use these to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ? That there are cliff notes that I should be learning from and holding what is broken down from the Bible and interpreted meanings of the same by Church leaders above what I may and can learn from reading and reflecting upon the Bible’s teachings with the mind, heart, and soul that God gave me? All while of course praying for guidance and understanding, etc… to do God’s will (as all my prayer I put the conditions upon them ‘if it is your will’ or similar type wording).

I’m really surprised by this if my understanding (as stated above) is correct. Is it?

I was instructed by my father, who discovered his faith probably 20 years ago, goes to Chuch daily, and is a Eucharistic Minister along with my mother, that I should be getting my information about Catholic faith from: The Bible and from Church Doctrine. He also cautioned me to make sure that any specific prayers that I learn, to make sure they are actually sanctioned by the Catholic Church (he’s more old school, doesn’t use the internet and I spoke to him about joining a Catholic forum and also learning the rosary from a website…and spoke of some other prayers with some sort of general intentions…and this raised a flag for him and told me to be very careful to make sure that they are in fact part of sanctioned Catholic religion).

So it’s my understanding at this point that I get my guidance from:

1. The Bible
2. Catholic Doctrine
3. I am not sure
4. I am not sure
   etc…

This is an ongoing learning process for me. I am doing the best I can. Things are working out very well for me since I have found my way back to my faith, to Church, to more frequent and intense praying, etc…

But I am somewhat taken aback by hearing that there is a guide that interprets the Bible drawn up by Religious Leaders of the Catholic Faith and that I should be putting that above the Bible itself. I would appreciate if several people could chime in on this for me to help me understand, give me guidance, etc.

I haven’t gotten to the point of studying Catholic Doctrine yet but the message I got from my dad, who is a completely changed man since he found faith, someone who impresses me (who was a very bad father to me when I was young). I trust what he says when it comes to the Catholic Religion. But I also know that no man knows everything, and that most men are in error about many things they think they know, regardless of the topic.

It’s just shocking for me to hear that there is a book or guide somewhere that I am supposed to put and hold above the bible and use that to understand the bible, and not the heart and mind and soul that God gave me. Not the gift of my faith and desire to please God and follow in the teachings of Christ as they are laid out in the bible itself.

If this is true, when did it become Catholic Law?, so to speak. If in fact it is Catholic Law.
And wouldn’t any group of men, regardless of how learned they are on any topic, inherently be imperfect in their understanding of things that are open to interpretation? Parables for example, that might mean different things to the same person every 3 months, assuming they read a certain parable every 3 months, because the circumstances of their life are different, etc…

Is it ‘Catholic Law’ that there is a book drawn up by Catholic leaders that interprets the bible and along with it instructions that Catholics are to use this book/guide to understand the bible?

PLEASE HELP. I am confused and scared at the moment because of this.

God Bless,
Bill

 

[Bill_7154]

No.

Why is that?

 

[Elizium23]

Sacred Scripture, Holy Tradition, and the Magisterium are considered the Pillars of the Catholic Faith. Indeed, the Bible is itself part of Tradition, and in unbroken continuity with it as inspired Word of God. Tradition is the very thing which determines for us that the Bible is inspired, and maintains a list of books in the Canon. The Magisterium is the instrument which transmits the faith, guided by the Holy Spirit, and interprets Scripture and Tradition for us.

We all know what comprises Sacred Scripture. We can see it visibly in the Bibles on our shelves. The other two pillars are not quite so visible.

Holy Tradition is summarized and referenced by the Catechism, but this Catechism is not that “single book” which you say is “over and above” the Bible. The Catechism describes doctrine, and is “a sure norm for teaching the faith.” You will find many references in the Catechism which directly cite the Bible, as well as many references which directly cite Holy Tradition, which is in itself composed of the Church documents of the faith. The Didache, the writings of the Early Church Fathers, papal encyclicals and bulls, these are Tradition in its purest form. Due to their widely scattered languages, formats, and interpretations, we need both a compendium which can bring them together in a systematic fashion (Catechism) as well as a teaching authority which can accurately interpret them all and distill them into practical advice for our modern lives (Magisterium).

The Magisterium is a complex topic, but suffice it to say that it is usually the Pope or Bishops, sometimes in union with the Pope. The Magisterium can be Extraordinary or Ordinary, authoritative and sometimes infallible. Catholic Encyclopedia Article: Tradition and the Living Magisterium Wikipedia article: Magisterium The Magisterium interprets Scripture and Tradition and applies it to the Church and to the people and our particular situation. Priests themselves have no magisterial authority; when a deacon or a priest preaches, it is spiritual guidance, and should be free of error, but it is not the authoritative word of the Magisterium and may not necessarily be guided by the Holy Spirit. It is important to say that not everything a Pope or Bishop says is considered Magisterial. Only when exercising their teaching office regarding faith and morals do they become the Magisterium. A Bishop can issue guidelines on the distribution of Holy Communion and this is considered discipline, not doctrine, and not a part of his teaching authority.

To answer your questions, yes you should be reading the Bible on your own. Reading of Sacred Scripture is an important activity for all the faithful, and there are indulgences attached, which you should be aware of so that you can earn them every time! What you should also be doing is applying the Church’s knowledge to your Scripture reading. You can do this in many ways. You can read the footnotes of an officially approved Catholic Bible. You can attend a Bible study class, led by laity or clergy, which explores salvation history and the context of the Bible in a manner approved by the Church. You can listen to homilies by priests in good standing, whether at Mass in your parish or online or on television. Look for an Imprimatur on written materials for assurance that they comply with Church teaching. Look for writings by your bishop on matters of faith and morals. If your bishop knows what he is doing, then he will be an active theologian participating in his teaching office frequently.

Tradition never contradicts Scripture and vice versa. When there appears to be a conflict, our eyes deceive us and there is always a logical explanation. Scripture and Tradition are only infallible in matters of faith and morals. The Bible in some places has seemingly conflicting details, such as two accounts of the Creation, or whether the Last Supper was a Seder Meal. These conflicts do not affect the faith or salvation. When you have doubt about Scripture, it should be interpreted not only in light of the entire corpus of the Bible, but also by the authoritative teachings of the Magisterium.

 

[SamH]

Why is that?

It’s not possible.

 

[Bill_7154]

Elizium23,

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain it to me. It’s a lot to adsorb and will take me some time to understand and follow through but I appreciate very much you taking the time to explain all of that to me. It does help to clarify things. I was starting to get the impression that the bible was somehow being put in the back of the bookshelf and Catholics were being expected to read and follow things written by Church leaders as the way to understand the bible and it’s teachings, making any reading done by me of the bible effectively null and void.
And to be honest, that scared me quite a bit.

I realize no one is perfect, first and foremost myself. But especially as someone who has just recently come back to the Catholic Faith, I know to trust in God and Jesus Christ, but also realize that any man or woman, regardless of how good their intentions may be, should not necessarilly blindly believed or followed. We all make mistakes. And as I learn and grow as a Catholic, I want to do so in the correct way. And if I am following the guidance of a human being, I feel as though I should be cautious, particularly when it comes to matters so important as the Catholic Faith, particularly since most of what I know comes from what I learned 30 or so years ago.

Thanks again,
God Bless,
Bill