Social Doctrine's Role in the Church
- ZENIT
The last section of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church explains the pastoral and ecclesial dimensions of the teaching in this area.
The social teaching "offers above all an integral vision of man and a complete understanding of his personal and social dimensions" (No. 522).
Based as it is on a Christian
anthropology the Church's social doctrine sheds light on authentic human values,
thus inspiring and sustaining the task of giving Christian witness in the world,
notes the Compendium. It is also an aid in the task of inculturating the
faith and helping the modern world overcome the rift between the Gospel and culture.
The Compendium also recommends that the social message of the
Gospel be a guide in the mission of the New Evangelization. In this pastoral role
the social teaching will not only help men and women discover the truth, but will
also encourage Christians to "bear witness with a spirit of service to the Gospel
in the field of social activity" (No. 525).
Social teaching also has
a vital role in Christian formation, especially for those who have responsibilities
in social and public life. But for this to be a reality, the Compendium
urges that social doctrine receive greater priority in catechesis so that the
faithful are better instructed on this subject.
This instruction should
not be merely the transmission of abstract theory, the text adds. "In the context
of catechesis above all it is important that the teaching of the Church's social
doctrine be directed towards motivating action for the evangelization and humanization
of temporal realities" (No. 530).
The Compendium also notes that
social teaching can be a useful instrument in ecumenical dialogue, and in dialogue
between the Church and the civil world. Defending the dignity of the human person,
promoting peace and helping the poor improve their lot are fields of action where
cooperation with others can increase Christian unity.
Pastoral activity
All Christians
have a role to play in the social sector, the text explains. Within the Church,
bishops, assisted by priests, religious and the laity, are responsible for promoting
the teaching of the social doctrine. In this context the Compendium calls
for priests to receive suitable formation in the Church's doctrine so as to be
able then to help in the instruction of lay Christians.
The lay faithful
also have a vital role in spreading the social teaching, starting with "an exemplary
witness of life rooted in Christ and lived in temporal realities" (No. 543). This
witness is rooted in the gift of grace, the Compendium explains, thus distinguishing
it from a humanistic action that is limited to temporal considerations. "The eschatological
perspective is the key that allows a correct understanding of human realities,"
the Compendium insists in No. 544.
To help maintain this perspective
the text calls upon the faithful to cultivate an authentic spirituality and to
strengthen their moral lives. Deepening the interior life by means of an ongoing
formation will help ensure greater harmony between everyday life and Christian
faith.
The Compendium further recommends prudence for the lay
faithful in the social field. Prudence is needed in three moments: studying and
reflecting on the question in hand; evaluating the reality in the light of God's
plan; and deciding upon the action to be taken. Prudence, the text continues,
is neither human shrewdness nor timidity in making a decision, but a virtue that
helps to decide with wisdom and courage the course of action to be taken.
The establishment of ecclesial associations, which can guide the faithful
in their actions in this field, is another step recommended by the Compendium.
Groups and associations can play both a valuable role in offering formation to
their members in this area, as well as coordinating pastoral activity.
A culture of service
In
implementing social doctrine the Compendium suggests viewing it from the
point of view of service. The credibility of Church teaching in this area, in
fact, "comes more immediately from the witness of action than from its internal
consistency or logic" (No. 551).
The commitment by the laity in the social
area can be seen, the text continues, as a service to the human person. This service
starts with an interior conversion of our hearts, and, in turn, this conversion
leads to concern for the welfare of others.
The Compendium then
goes on to outline a number of priority areas for action.
Service
to the human person, by affirming the inviolability of human life, from conception
to natural death. Human dignity also requires freedom of conscience and religious
freedom, as well as the defense of marriage and the family.
Service
in the area of culture, broadly intended. The Compendium notes the problems
with a consumeristic lifestyle and the emphasis placed on superficial appearances.
We need to recover the genuine sense of human growth, and develop our capacity
to communicate and relate with others.
Encouraging the participation
of Catholics in social and political life is another priority. Involvement in
public life is necessary in order to present in an efficacious way the proposals
stemming from a Catholic vision of social life.
Preserving the
ethical dimension of culture is another important task. Culture can become sterile
and decadent, or it can be a means to enriching people's lives. Ensuring the latter
requires people who are prepared to use their capacities "for self-control, personal
sacrifice, solidarity and readiness to promote the common good" (No. 556).
Specifically, within today's culture, the Compendium outlines
a number of fields where action is particularly needed: guaranteeing the rights
of each person; ensuring a commitment to truth; working to ensure that the religious
dimension of culture is respected; and using correctly the mass media.
Service in the economy. The Compendium calls upon Christians to remember
the centrality of the human person. It also urges a better harmony between the
demands of economic efficiency and the requirements of social justice.
Service in politics. Pursuing the common good in spirit of service should inspire
the Christian laity, the text recommends. The text also insists on an adequate
attention to the moral dimension in political life and for an increased Christian
witness on the part of politicians.
A civilization of love
The closing
pages of the Compendium are dedicated to the theme of building a "Civilization
of Love." People are searching for meaning in their lives, the text notes, and
the Church responds with the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. Through faith
in God and Jesus Christ, Christians can obtain inspiration regarding the principles
that should order private and public life.
Bringing about a renewal of
society to ensure justice and solidarity is no easy task, and we should not be
led into thinking that there is some magic formula to solve problems. Our salvation
does not lie in such a formula, but in the person of Christ, found in the Gospel
and in the Tradition of the Church.
And even if believers know that there
will never be an earthly paradise, their hope founded in Christ gives them confidence
in the building of a better world. In this effort we should be guided by the principle
of the primacy of love. Love, the Compendium adds, should permeate every
social relationship and be the highest norm for all activity.
The commandment
of love contained in the Gospel should be for Christians a message that transforms
them and leads them to reject egoism, individualism and selfishness. This love
in turn requires the practice of justice and inspires us to self-giving. Fitting
words to close this synthesis of the Church's social doctrine.
Order
the Compendium
of the Social Doctrine of the Church, here.
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Acknowledgement
ZENIT is an International News Agency based in Rome whose mission is to provide objective and professional coverage of events, documents and issues emanating from or concerning the Catholic Church for a worldwide audience, especially the media.
Reprinted with permission from Zenit - News from Rome. All rights reserved.