Thursday, January 17, 2013
414. How is human solidarity manifested?
(Comp 414) Solidarity, which springs
from human and Christian brotherhood, is manifested in the first place by the
just distribution of goods, by a fair remuneration for work and by zeal for a
more just social order. The virtue of solidarity also practices the sharing of
the spiritual goods of faith which is even more important than sharing material
goods.
“In brief”
(CCC 1948) Solidarity is an eminently Christian virtue. It
practices the sharing of spiritual goods even more than material ones.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1939) The principle of solidarity, also articulated in
terms of "friendship" or "social charity," is a direct
demand of human and Christian brotherhood (Cf. John Paul II, SRS 38-40; CA 10).
An error, "today abundantly widespread, is disregard for the law of human
solidarity and charity, dictated and imposed both by our common origin and by
the equality in rational nature of all men, whatever nation they belong to.
This law is sealed by the sacrifice of redemption offered by Jesus Christ on
the altar of the Cross to his heavenly Father, on behalf of sinful
humanity" (Pius XII, Summi
pontificatus, October 20, 1939; AAS 31 (1939) 423 ff). (CCC 1940)
Solidarity is manifested in the first place by the distribution of goods and
remuneration for work. It also presupposes the effort for a more just social
order where tensions are better able to be reduced and conflicts more readily
settled by negotiation.
Reflection
(CCC 1941) Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with
the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among
themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves, between
employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and peoples.
International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace
depends in part upon this. (CCC 1942) The virtue of solidarity goes beyond
material goods. In spreading the spiritual goods of the faith, the Church has
promoted, and often opened new paths for, the development of temporal goods as
well. And so throughout the centuries has the Lord's saying been verified:
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall
be yours as well" (Mt 6:33): For two thousand years this sentiment has
lived and endured in the soul of the Church, impelling souls then and now to
the heroic charity of monastic farmers, liberators of slaves, healers of the
sick, and messengers of faith, civilization, and science to all generations and
all peoples for the sake of creating the social conditions capable of offering
to everyone possible a life worthy of man and of a Christian (Pius XII,
Discourse, June 1, 1941).
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