518. How is justice and solidarity among nations brought about? (part 1)

518. How is justice and solidarity among nations brought about? (part 1)     

(Comp 518) On the international level, all nations and institutions must carry out their work in solidarity and subsidiarity for the purpose of eliminating or at least reducing poverty, the inequality of resources and economic potential, economic and social injustices, the exploitation of persons, the accumulation of debts by poor countries, and the perverse mechanisms that impede the development of the less advanced countries.

“In brief”

(CCC 2463) How can we not recognize Lazarus, the hungry beggar in the parable (cf. Lk 17:19-31), in the multitude of human beings without bread, a roof or a place to stay? How can we fail to hear Jesus: "As you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me" (Mt 25:45)?   

To deepen and explain

(CCC 2437) On the international level, inequality of resources and economic capability is such that it creates a real "gap" between nations (Cf. SRS 14). On the one side there are those nations possessing and developing the means of growth and, on the other, those accumulating debts. (CCC 2439) Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility toward those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves or have been prevented from doing so by tragic historical events. It is a duty in solidarity and charity; it is also an obligation in justice if the prosperity of the rich nations has come from resources that have not been paid for fairly. 

Reflection

(CCC 2438) Various causes of a religious, political, economic, and financial nature today give "the social question a worldwide dimension" (SRS 9). There must be solidarity among nations which are already politically interdependent. It is even more essential when it is a question of dismantling the "perverse mechanisms" that impede the development of the less advanced countries (Cf. SRS 17; 45). In place of abusive if not usurious financial systems, iniquitous commercial relations among nations, and the arms race, there must be substituted a common effort to mobilize resources toward objectives of moral, cultural, and economic development, "redefining the priorities and hierarchies of values" (CA 28; Cf. 35). [IT CONTINUES]   

(The question: How is justice and solidarity among nations brought about? continues)