What is a Catholic required to do in terms of social justice?

[nsper7]

What is a Catholic required to do in terms of social justice? What percentage of their income must they donate in order to avoid being a goat at Judgment Day? Are people required to also give of their time, or does money given to proper Catholic charitable organizations suffice?

In other words, at what point does failure to be generous become a grave sin?

 

[whatischarity]

Excellent question. It was just a few weeks ago when the scripture about the one with 2 cloaks should give one of them away was read at mass. Especially given the current debate on extending health care coverage to more citizens through government intervention, this is a very timely issue.

 

[ljubim]

You should at least go somewhat out of the way to help others. I think it would be a sin when somebody is asking you for help and you fail to do something.

I think both time and money are important, but time even more so. It’s much more of a personal sacrifice when you physically do something, rather than writing a check.

 

[nsper7]

Excellent question. It was just a few weeks ago when the scripture about the one with 2 cloaks should give one of them away was read at mass. Especially given the current debate on extending health care coverage to more citizens through government intervention, this is a very timely issue.

You should at least go somewhat out of the way to help others. I think it would be a sin when somebody is asking you for help and you fail to do something.

I think both time and money are important, but time even more so. It’s much more of a personal sacrifice when you physically do something, rather than writing a check.

But what are the requirements? Most people, even the poor at least in the US, have more than one set of clothes. Remember, we have to be careful not to self-interpret Scripture. What does the Church say?

 

[rwoehmke]

The Church does not say any specific percentage or amount. Some Catholics chose to tithe, splitting their contributions between Church and Charity. In my parish at least half donate little or nothing to the Church. I have a priest friend who like his father before him donates 10% of his gross to the Church and charities. My own opinion is that it is good to start small and work up to the point where it starts to pinch and some sacrifice is required. That does not mean that you short change your family, but it may be necessary to go without some of the luxury items or fripperies you might otherwise purchase with surplus income. Maybe in buying a home with only two baths instead of one for each bedroom. Maybe you donate time and don’t watch every football game that is televised for example.

I also have Catholic friends who help out at food kitchens and homeless shelters. They serve food, clean, and greet the poor who come in. Others who have a solid basic knowledge of the faith, teach as volunteers in Faith Formation programs for children, teens, and adults. And so on. My parish talks in terms of donating time, talent, and treasure to the Church and charities. Some people having little treasure donate time and talents mostly, others lean more to going heavy on the treasure part. Everyone has to seek what his own conscience dictates.

I know that some of the smaller church communities in my town basicly tell people what they must give to belong. Sometimes that is a choice between that and going out of existence as a faith community. The Catholic Church does not tend to set a sum;they may suggest, but not command.

 

[rwoehmke]

On reflection I realize I addressed charitable works and not Catholic Social Teaching. Basically since Leo XIII wrote in the late 19th century, the Church has taught that society is responsible to insure that persons have access to jobs, a living wage, shelter, food, and more recently basic health care and education. Leo and other Popes have consistently supported the right of labor to form unions and to bargain collectively with management. The Church has taught and still teaches a middle course between lassez faire capitalism and socialism; totally espousing neither one. How one brings about an appropriate marriage of the extremes is what politics is all about.