Social Justice Issues and Catholic Social Teaching

by CAPP-USA

Social Justice Issues Today

Much of our social and civil turbulence centers around issues of social justice. But what is social justice?

Social justice is what results when “associations or individuals…obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928) It is intimately linked to the common good and the right exercise of authority.

This understanding of social justice was made clear by Pope Francis when he observed: “the duty of social justice…requires the realignment of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness” (World Day of Peace, 2014, 4)

Social justice impacts on the social structures around us; it “upholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life”. (Pope Francis)

Social justice ‘issues’ include housing, racial justice, education opportunity, poverty, healthcare, fair voting, abortion, marriage, family rights, appropriate welfare, and more.

Catholic social teaching informs all of these and is the best place to start if we want to strive for true social justice.

Learn more about the Human Rights the State must Protect

Racial Justice

“The Church’s doctrine affirms…all racist theories are contrary to Christian faith and love…Racism and racist acts must be condemned.” (The Church and Racism, 33)

“The Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination.” (Pope St. Paul VI, 5)

“Whoever exalts race…distorts and perverts an order of the world planned and created by God”. (Pope Pius XI, 8)

Learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and Racism

Poverty

Helping the poor and fighting poverty, “demands before all else an appreciation of the immense dignity of the poor”. (Pope Francis, 158) This forms the basis for the Church’s a preferential option for the poor.

And the Church recognizes poverty “extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2444)

All forms of poverty require and deserve a “preferential option”. “Considerations of justice and equity can at times demand that those in power pay more attention to the weaker members of society, since these are at a disadvantage when it comes to defending their own rights and asserting their legitimate interests.” (Pope St. John XXIII, 56)

Learn more about the Preferential Option for the Poor

Is Healthcare a Human Right?

Another social justice issue is healthcare. In recent years, demands for “universal” or “nationalized healthcare” have grown.

And healthcare, is “a universal right which means that access to healthcare services cannot be a privilege.” (Pope Francis)

While how to best provide healthcare is complicated, the issues must be addressed because “The true measure of humanity is essentially determined in relationship to suffering and to the sufferer. This holds true both for the individual and for society.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 38)

Learn more about Universal Healthcare

Abortion

Abortion is a fundamental social justice issue.

What is well known is that the Church condemns it. “Abortion is murder…It’s a human life, period.” (Pope Francis)

What is less well known are the many Church programs offering help to woman – with wonderful results: “[W]here concrete support is offered, despite problems and influences which are sometimes critical, women are able to make the sense of love, life and motherhood triumph within them.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 2)

And even less known is the abundant mercy God extends through His Church to those who’ve had an abortion or been involved in one:

“The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly, what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 99)

Learn more about Church Teaching on Abortion

Marriage and Family

Another contender for one of the most divisive social justice issues is the definition of marriage and family.

“The family is based upon a marriage”. (Pope St. John XXIII, 193) and is “the fundamental cell of society”. (Pope Francis, 66)

“Here we mean the family founded on marriage, in which the mutual gift of self by husband and wife creates an environment in which children can be born and develop their potentialities, become aware of their dignity and prepare to face their unique and individual destiny.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)

Learn more about Catholic Social Teaching on Emerging Definitions of ‘Family’