Wednesday, January 16, 2013

413. How are we to view social inequalities? (part 2 continuation)



413. How are we to view social inequalities? (part 2 continuation)  

(Comp 413 repetition) There are sinful social and economic inequalities which affect millions of human beings. These inequalities are in open contradiction to the Gospel and are contrary to justice, to the dignity of persons, and to peace. There are , however, differences among people caused by various factors which enter into the plan of God. Indeed, God wills that each might receive what he or she needs from others and that those endowed with particular talents should share them with others. Such differences encourage and often oblige people to the practice of generosity, kindness and the sharing of goods. They also foster the mutual enrichment of cultures.
“In brief”
(CCC 1947) The equal dignity of human persons requires the effort to reduce excessive social and economic inequalities. It gives urgency to the elimination of sinful inequalities. 
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1938) There exist also sinful inequalities that affect millions of men and women. These are in open contradiction of the Gospel: Their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international peace (CS 29 § 3).
Reflection
(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 2317) Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace and avoiding war: Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until Christ comes again; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished and these words will be fulfilled: "they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (GS 78 § 6; cf. Isa 2:4). [END]   

(Next question: How is human solidarity manifested?)

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