A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium

A Voice Crying in the
Wilderness
Catholic Social Teaching
and the New Millennium

Outline of
Presentation
I. Description
II. Analysis
III.Resources
IV.Discussion

Outline of
Presentation
I. Description
II. Analysis
III.Resources
IV.Discussion
I. Description
At the dawn of the third
Christian millennium,
the Church continues to
serve as a radical voice
for the voiceless, a
strength for the
powerless, and a refuge
for the abandoned.
How has the world and
its cultures been
changed by the voice of
the one crying in the
wilderness? Where is
the voice crying now?

Outline of
Presentation
I. Description
II. Analysis
III.Resources
IV.Discussion
II. Analysis
A: identify the various colors
of “the voice of the
Church” in Vatican II’s
great pastoral constitution
Gaudium et Spes.
B: draw the broad strokes of
the national and
international picture, using
the palette from that
Church document to
identify the most important
issues.
C: let the picture “speak a
1000 words” by locating
the voices who speak the
language of Gaudium et
Spes now.

II. Analysis
A: identify the various colors of
“the voice of the Church” in
Vatican II’s great pastoral
constitution Gaudium et
Spes.
B: draw the broad strokes of the
national and international
picture, using the palette
from that Church document
to identify the most important
issues.
C: let the picture “speak a 1000
words” by locating the voices
who speak the language of
Gaudium et Spes now.
Spes.

Spes.
Promulgated at the very end of
the Council, Dec. 7, 1965, G.S.
is divided as follows:
PREFACE (## 1-3)
INTRODUCTION (##4-10)
PART I (##11- 45)
PART II (##46-88)
(CONCLUSION) (##89-93)

Spes. Although the document forms
an “organic unity,” the two
Parts are very distinct.
As the Council mentions in a
footnote to the title, this is a
“pastoral constitution,” not a
“dogmatic constitution.”
PART I (##11-45) has a
“pastoral slant.”
PART II (##46-88) has a
“doctrinal slant.”

Spes. PART I primarily presents
moral anthropology, i.e., a
Catholic perspective upon
the human person,
relationships among
persons, the person’s
relationship to the world,
and the person’s
relationship to God.
PART II primarily presents
moral norms or prudential
judgments about human
acts.

Spes. PART I uses the method of
“dialogue.
By adopting the modern
perspective of the “turn to
the subject,” the Church
adopts language more
familiar to secular life.
“Dialogue” is specifically
mentioned 6 times (##21,
23, 25, 28, 40, 43).

Spes. Since a dialogue requires a
give and take, the Council
provides it in the form of
questions and answers
which happen in an
presumed exchange
between a courteous
interlocutor and the
Church’s voice.
Groups of questions are asked
four times explicitly (##
10, 11, 12, 33).

Spes.
The Council explains their
dialogical approach to the
world (#28):
Respect and love ought to beRespect and love ought to be
extended also to those whoextended also to those who
think or act differently thanthink or act differently than
we do in social, political andwe do in social, political and
even religious matters. Ineven religious matters. In
fact, the more deeply wefact, the more deeply we
come to understand theircome to understand their
ways of thinking throughways of thinking through
such courtesy and love, thesuch courtesy and love, the
more easily will we be ablemore easily will we be able
to enter into dialogue withto enter into dialogue with
them.them.

Spes.
This love and good will, to beThis love and good will, to be
sure, must in no way rendersure, must in no way render
us indifferent to truth andus indifferent to truth and
goodness. Indeed love itselfgoodness. Indeed love itself
impels the disciples of Christimpels the disciples of Christ
to speak the saving truth toto speak the saving truth to
all people. But it isall people. But it is
necessary to distinguishnecessary to distinguish
between error, which alwaysbetween error, which always
merits repudiation, and themerits repudiation, and the
person in error, who neverperson in error, who never
loses the dignity of being aloses the dignity of being a
person even when flawed byperson even when flawed by
false or inadequate religiousfalse or inadequate religious
notions. God alone is thenotions. God alone is the
judge and searcher ofjudge and searcher of
hearts; for that reason Hehearts; for that reason He
forbids us to makeforbids us to make
judgments about the internaljudgments about the internal

Spes.
This Council’s approach stands
in stark contrast to the previous
20 ecumenical councils
recognized by the Catholic
Church.
Although all previous conciliar
acts might be considered
“internal” matters in contrast to
the “external” relationship with
the world in G.S., these
councils all pronounced
anathemas, condemning
persons for particular
theological positions.

Spes.
G.S., though, pronounces
judgment on human acts, not
upon specifically named
persons.
PART II (##46-88), with its
doctrinal slant, concerns itself
with identifying these acts,
leaving the dialogical method
aside.
In PART I, though, a very
important judgment is made to
set up for the specific
statements in PART II.

(#27) Coming down to practical and particularly urgentComing down to practical and particularly urgent
consequences, this council lays stress on reverence for manconsequences, this council lays stress on reverence for man
((homohomo);); everyone must consider his every neighbor withouteveryone must consider his every neighbor without
exception as another self, taking into account first of all his lifeexception as another self, taking into account first of all his life
and the means necessary to living it with dignityand the means necessary to living it with dignity [cf. James 2:15-[cf. James 2:15-
16],16], so as not to imitate the rich man who had no concern forso as not to imitate the rich man who had no concern for
the poor man Lazarusthe poor man Lazarus [Lk. 16:19-31][Lk. 16:19-31]..
In our times a special obligation binds us to makeIn our times a special obligation binds us to make
ourselves the neighbor of every person without exception, andourselves the neighbor of every person without exception, and
of actively helping him when he comes across our path,of actively helping him when he comes across our path, {1}{1}
whether he be an old person abandoned by all,whether he be an old person abandoned by all, {2}{2} a foreigna foreign
laborer unjustly looked down upon,laborer unjustly looked down upon, {3}{3} a refugee,a refugee, {4}{4} a childa child
born of an unlawful union and wrongly suffering for a sin he didborn of an unlawful union and wrongly suffering for a sin he did
not commit, ornot commit, or {5}{5} a hungry person who disturbs oura hungry person who disturbs our
conscience by recalling the voice of the Lord, "As long as youconscience by recalling the voice of the Lord, "As long as you
did it for one of these the least of my brethren, you did it fordid it for one of these the least of my brethren, you did it for
me" (Matt. 25:40).me" (Matt. 25:40).

Furthermore,Furthermore, {1} whatever is hostile to life itself,{1} whatever is hostile to life itself,
such as any kind of {a} homicide, {b} genocide, {c}such as any kind of {a} homicide, {b} genocide, {c}
abortion, {d} euthanasia and {e} voluntary suicideabortion, {d} euthanasia and {e} voluntary suicide;; {2}{2}
whatever violates the integrity of the human person, suchwhatever violates the integrity of the human person, such
as {a} mutilation, {b} physical and mental torture and {c}as {a} mutilation, {b} physical and mental torture and {c}
attempts to coerce the spirit;attempts to coerce the spirit; {3} whatever is offensive to{3} whatever is offensive to
human dignity, such as {a} subhuman living conditions, {b}human dignity, such as {a} subhuman living conditions, {b}
arbitrary imprisonment, {c} deportation, {d} slavery, {e}arbitrary imprisonment, {c} deportation, {d} slavery, {e}
prostitution and {f} trafficking in women and children;prostitution and {f} trafficking in women and children; {4}{4}
degrading conditions of work which treat labourers asdegrading conditions of work which treat labourers as
mere instruments of profit, and not as free responsiblemere instruments of profit, and not as free responsible
persons:persons: all these and the like are a disgraceall these and the like are a disgrace ((probaproba),), and soand so
long as they infect human civilization they contaminatelong as they infect human civilization they contaminate
those who inflict them more than those who sufferthose who inflict them more than those who suffer
injustice, and they are a negation of the honour due to theinjustice, and they are a negation of the honour due to the
Creator (Creator (Creatoris honori maxime contradicuntCreatoris honori maxime contradicunt))..

Spes.
I believe that G.S. # 27
presents a “hierarchy of truths
in morals” as a companion to
the “hierarchy of truths in faith”
which the Council proposed in
the Decree on Ecumenism
(Unitatis Redintegratio) #11:
When comparing doctrinesWhen comparing doctrines
with one another, theywith one another, they
should remember that inshould remember that in
Catholic doctrine thereCatholic doctrine there
exists a "hierarchy" ofexists a "hierarchy" of
truths, since they vary intruths, since they vary in
their relation to thetheir relation to the
fundamental Christian faith.fundamental Christian faith.

Spes.
Although the Council does not
detail this hierarchy of truths in
faith, I suggest that it might be
represented diagrammatically
as follows, proceeding from the
top downwards:

Most
Blessed
Trinity
(ad intra)
(Incarnation/Redemption)
Missions
Of the Son
&
Of the Spirit
(ad extra)
(Revealed Truths)
Mary (Immaculate Conception/Assumption)
Inerrant Word of God
The Church (Magisterium)
Communion of Saints
Sacramental/Liturgical Life
Human Person as Imago Dei & Fallen into Original Sin
Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell

Spes.
I believe that G.S. #27 implies
a similar hierarchy of truths in
morals, proceeding from the
most fundamental to the
contingent. I suggest that it
might be represented
diagrammatically as follows:

Degrading
working
conditions
Offenses to Human Dignity:
subhuman living conditions,
arbitrary imprisonment,
deportation, slavery,
prostitution, trafficking in
women & children
Violates Human Personal Integrity:
mutilations, physical & mental
torture, coercion of the spirit
Hostile to Life itself: homicide,
genocide, abortion, euthanasia,
voluntary suicide

Spes.
Still in PART I, the Council
approaches the fundamental
rights of the person from
another perspective, i.e.,
discrimination:

(#29) With respect to the fundamental rights of theWith respect to the fundamental rights of the
person, {1} every type of discrimination, whetherperson, {1} every type of discrimination, whether {a}{a}
socialsocial or {b} cultural,or {b} cultural, whether based onwhether based on {c} sex,{c} sex, {d} race,{d} race,
{e} color,{e} color, {f} social condition{f} social condition, {g} language, {g} language oror {h} religion{h} religion,,
is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God'sis to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's
intentintent (utpote Dei proposito contrarius).(utpote Dei proposito contrarius). For in truth it must still beFor in truth it must still be
regretted that fundamental personal rights are still notregretted that fundamental personal rights are still not
being universally honored.being universally honored. Such is the case of {i} aSuch is the case of {i} a
woman who is denied the right {A} to choose a husbandwoman who is denied the right {A} to choose a husband
freely, {B} to embrace a state of life or {C} to acquire anfreely, {B} to embrace a state of life or {C} to acquire an
education or {D} cultural benefits equal to thoseeducation or {D} cultural benefits equal to those
recognized for men.recognized for men.

Spes.
Before moving from Segment
A of this Analysis to Segment
B, a quote from the Council
that connects PART I of G.S.
to PART II of G.S. is exactly
that voice crying in the
wilderness which holds us
accountable before the
judgment seat of Almighty
God.

(#43)…This split between the faith which many professThis split between the faith which many profess
and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the moreand their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more
serious errors of our age. Long since, the Prophets of the Oldserious errors of our age. Long since, the Prophets of the Old
Testament fought vehemently against this scandal and evenTestament fought vehemently against this scandal and even
more so did Jesus Christ Himself in the New Testamentmore so did Jesus Christ Himself in the New Testament
threaten it with grave punishments. Therefore, let there be nothreaten it with grave punishments. Therefore, let there be no
false opposition between professional and social activities onfalse opposition between professional and social activities on
the one part, and religious life on the other. The Christian whothe one part, and religious life on the other. The Christian who
neglects his temporal duties, neglects his duties toward hisneglects his temporal duties, neglects his duties toward his
neighbor and even God, and jeopardizes his eternalneighbor and even God, and jeopardizes his eternal
salvation. Christians should rather rejoice that, following thesalvation. Christians should rather rejoice that, following the
example of Christ Who worked as an artisan, they are free toexample of Christ Who worked as an artisan, they are free to
give proper exercise to all their earthly activities and to theirgive proper exercise to all their earthly activities and to their
humane, domestic, professional, social and technicalhumane, domestic, professional, social and technical
enterprises by gathering them into one vital synthesis withenterprises by gathering them into one vital synthesis with
religious values, under whose supreme direction all things arereligious values, under whose supreme direction all things are
harmonized unto God's glory.harmonized unto God's glory.

II. Analysis
Spes.
issues.
issues.

the national and
Church document to
issues.
Beginning with those acts
which are hostile to life
itself, as the core of the
hierarchy of truths in
morals, the Council adds
further judgments about:
• Homicide
• Genocide
• Abortion

About homicide, the Council makes the further judgment in its
presentation of the norms concerning war:
(#79) Even though recent wars have wrought physicalEven though recent wars have wrought physical
and moral havoc on our world, the devastation of battleand moral havoc on our world, the devastation of battle
still goes on day by day in some parts of the world.still goes on day by day in some parts of the world.
Indeed, now that every kind of weapon produced byIndeed, now that every kind of weapon produced by
modern science is used in war, the fierce character ofmodern science is used in war, the fierce character of
warfare threatens to lead the combatants to a savagerywarfare threatens to lead the combatants to a savagery
far surpassing that of the past. Furthermore, thefar surpassing that of the past. Furthermore, the
complexity of the modern world and the intricacy ofcomplexity of the modern world and the intricacy of
international relations allow guerrilla warfare to be drawninternational relations allow guerrilla warfare to be drawn
out by new methods of deceit and subversion. In manyout by new methods of deceit and subversion. In many
causes the use of terrorism is regarded as a new way tocauses the use of terrorism is regarded as a new way to
wage war.wage war.

They continue with the strongest judgment found in the
document:
(#80) [We] undertake an evaluation of war with an(#80) [We] undertake an evaluation of war with an
entirely new attitude. The men of our time must realizeentirely new attitude. The men of our time must realize
that they will have to give a somber reckoning of theirthat they will have to give a somber reckoning of their
deeds of war because the course of the future will dependdeeds of war because the course of the future will depend
greatly on the decisions they make today.greatly on the decisions they make today.
With these truths in mind, this most holy synod makesWith these truths in mind, this most holy synod makes
its own the condemnations of total war alreadyits own the condemnations of total war already
pronounced by recent popes, and issues the followingpronounced by recent popes, and issues the following
declaration.declaration.
Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at theAny act of war aimed indiscriminately at the
destruction of entire cities or extensive areas along withdestruction of entire cities or extensive areas along with
their population is a crime against God and man himself. Ittheir population is a crime against God and man himself. It
merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.

Terrorist Incidents > by Target Range: 01/01/1968 - 07/27/2006
413029997029174TOTAL
3725121061Utilities
3881066763Unknown
2347131591152Transportation
7311836258Tourists
461543271Terrorists/Former Terrorists
5577152Telecommunication
230061751177Religious Figures/Institutions
9265205515066Private Citizens & Property
6233109803193Police
227626751949Other
298294325NGO
16665556841Military
130293134Maritime
262394577Journalists & Media
482995164607Government
0512Food or Water Supply
5451420590Educational Institutions
135187542716Diplomatic
5343134303498Business
24482732827Airports & Airlines
225Abortion Related
FatalitiesInjuriesIncidentsTarget
MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base http://www.tkb.org/IncidentTargetModule.jsp (expired; replaced by http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data/gtd/)
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
OCHA Special Focus occupied Palestinian Territory
Documented civilian deaths from violence
90,906 – 99,269
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/database/

About genocide, the Council makes the further judgment in its
presentation of the norms concerning war:
(#79) Contemplating this melancholy state ofContemplating this melancholy state of
humanity, the council wishes, above all things else, to recallhumanity, the council wishes, above all things else, to recall
the permanent binding force of universal natural law and itsthe permanent binding force of universal natural law and its
all-embracing principles. Man's conscience itself gives everall-embracing principles. Man's conscience itself gives ever
more emphatic voice to these principles. Therefore, actionsmore emphatic voice to these principles. Therefore, actions
which deliberately conflict with these same principles, as wellwhich deliberately conflict with these same principles, as well
as orders commanding such actions are criminal, and blindas orders commanding such actions are criminal, and blind
obedience cannot excuse those who yield to them. The mostobedience cannot excuse those who yield to them. The most
infamous among these are actions designed for theinfamous among these are actions designed for the
methodical extermination of an entire people, nation or ethnicmethodical extermination of an entire people, nation or ethnic
minority. Such actions must be vehemently condemned asminority. Such actions must be vehemently condemned as
horrendous crimeshorrendous crimes ((crimina horrendacrimina horrenda).). The courage of those whoThe courage of those who
fearlessly and openly resist those who issue such commandsfearlessly and openly resist those who issue such commands
merits supreme commendation.merits supreme commendation.

PARALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Sudan: Amnesty International warns 2.2 million at risk in Darfur after
aid agencies expelled
5 March 2009
Amnesty International today warned that 2.2 million people face the
risk of starvation and disease following yesterday’s decision by the Sudanese
government to expel more than 10 aid agencies, including Oxfam, Care,
Save the Children and Medecins Sans Frontieres.
“Millions of lives are at stake and this is no time to play political
games,” said Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s
Africa Programme. “These aid agencies provide the bulk of the humanitarian
aid required by more than two million vulnerable people.”
“By expelling humanitarian agencies, the Sudanese government is
effectively holding the entire civilian population of Darfur hostage – an
aggressive act that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by
the African Union, the League of Arab States and the international
community as a whole.”
The expulsions came soon after a decision by the International
Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al
Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Several other
aid agencies had their assets seized.

About abortion, the Council makes the further judgment in its
presentation of the norms concerning marital love:
(#51) For God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassingFor God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassing
ministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man. Thereforeministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man. Therefore
from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatestfrom the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest
care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes. The sexualcare while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes. The sexual
characteristics of man and the human faculty of reproduction wonderfullycharacteristics of man and the human faculty of reproduction wonderfully
exceed the dispositions of lower forms of life. Hence the acts themselvesexceed the dispositions of lower forms of life. Hence the acts themselves
which are proper to conjugal love and which are exercised in accord withwhich are proper to conjugal love and which are exercised in accord with
genuine human dignity must be honored with great reverence. When there isgenuine human dignity must be honored with great reverence. When there is
question of harmonizing conjugal love with the responsible transmission ofquestion of harmonizing conjugal love with the responsible transmission of
life, the moral aspects of any procedure does not depend solely on sincerelife, the moral aspects of any procedure does not depend solely on sincere
intentions or on an evaluation of motives, but must be determined byintentions or on an evaluation of motives, but must be determined by
objective standards. These, based on the nature of the human person andobjective standards. These, based on the nature of the human person and
his acts, preserve the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreationhis acts, preserve the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation
in the context of true love. Such a goal cannot be achieved unless the virtuein the context of true love. Such a goal cannot be achieved unless the virtue
of conjugal chastity is sincerely practiced. Relying on these principles, sonsof conjugal chastity is sincerely practiced. Relying on these principles, sons
of the Church may not undertake methods of birth control which are foundof the Church may not undertake methods of birth control which are found
blameworthy by the teaching authority of the Church in its unfolding of theblameworthy by the teaching authority of the Church in its unfolding of the
divine law.divine law.

Abortion % of pregnancies by country, worldwide -- 2008 data, country average.
TOTAL Abortions, 1922 - 2007: 857,743,860 reported; 960,851,582 estimated
Estimated current global monthly average: 1,206,000 abortions
Wm Robert Johnston http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/mapworldabrate.html

the national and
Church document to
issues.
Continuing with those acts
which violate human
personal integrity, at the
first circle from the core, the
Council adds a further
judgment about:
• Coercion of the spirit

About coercion of the spirit, the Council makes the further
judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning life in the
political community:
(#75) The complex circumstances of our day make itThe complex circumstances of our day make it
necessary for public authority to intervene more often in social,necessary for public authority to intervene more often in social,
economic and cultural matters in order to bring about favorableeconomic and cultural matters in order to bring about favorable
conditions which will give more effective help to citizens andconditions which will give more effective help to citizens and
groups in their free pursuit of man's total well-being. Thegroups in their free pursuit of man's total well-being. The
relations, however, between socialization and the autonomy andrelations, however, between socialization and the autonomy and
development of the person can be understood in different waysdevelopment of the person can be understood in different ways
according to various regions and the evolution of peoples. Butaccording to various regions and the evolution of peoples. But
when the exercise of rights is restricted temporarily for thewhen the exercise of rights is restricted temporarily for the
common good, freedom should be restored immediately uponcommon good, freedom should be restored immediately upon
change of circumstances. Moreover, it is inhuman for publicchange of circumstances. Moreover, it is inhuman for public
authority to fall back on dictatorial systems or totalitarianauthority to fall back on dictatorial systems or totalitarian
methods which violate the rights of the person or social groups.methods which violate the rights of the person or social groups.

PART III: U.S. ACTIONS TO ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
PART II: SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
GermanyBelgium
Denouncing Certain Religions by Identifying Them as Dangerous "Cults" or "Sects"
TurkeyRussiaPakistanMalaysiaIsrael and
Occupied
Territories
IndonesiaBruneiBelarusAzerbaijan
Discriminatory Legislation or Policies Pre-judicial to Certain Religions
Sri LankaIndiaEgyptBangladesh
State Neglect of Societal Discrimination or Abuses Against Religious Groups
VietnamUzbekistanSudanSaudi
Arabia
LaosIranEritrea
State Hostility Toward Minority or Nonapproved Religions
North
Korea
CubaTibetChinaBurma
Totalitarian or Authoritarian Actions to Control Religious Belief or Practice
PART I:
BARRIERS
TO INTER-
NATIONAL
RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM
2005 International Religious Freedom Report, U.S. Department of State
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51386.htm, accessed 7-27-06

the national and
Church document to
issues.
Continuing with those acts
which offend human dignity,
the second circle from the
core, the Council adds
further judgments about:
• subhuman living conditions
• arbitrary imprisonment
• slavery

About subhuman living conditions, the Council makes the further
judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning economic and
social life:
(#63) Reasons for anxiety, however, are not lacking. ManyReasons for anxiety, however, are not lacking. Many
people, especially in economically advanced areas, seem, as it were, topeople, especially in economically advanced areas, seem, as it were, to
be ruled by economics, so that almost their entire personal and social lifebe ruled by economics, so that almost their entire personal and social life
is permeated with a certain economic way of thinking. Such is true bothis permeated with a certain economic way of thinking. Such is true both
of nations that favor a collective economy and of others. At the very timeof nations that favor a collective economy and of others. At the very time
when the development of economic life could mitigate social inequalitieswhen the development of economic life could mitigate social inequalities
(provided that it be guided and coordinated in a reasonable and human(provided that it be guided and coordinated in a reasonable and human
way), it is often made to embitter them; or, in some places, it even resultsway), it is often made to embitter them; or, in some places, it even results
in a decline of the social status of the underprivileged and in contempt forin a decline of the social status of the underprivileged and in contempt for
the poor. While an immense number of people still lack the absolutethe poor. While an immense number of people still lack the absolute
necessities of life, some, even in less advanced areas, live in luxury ornecessities of life, some, even in less advanced areas, live in luxury or
squander wealth. Extravagance and wretchedness exist side by side.squander wealth. Extravagance and wretchedness exist side by side.
While a few enjoy very great power of choice, the majority are deprivedWhile a few enjoy very great power of choice, the majority are deprived
of almost all possibility of acting on their own initiative and responsibility,of almost all possibility of acting on their own initiative and responsibility,
and often subsist in living and working conditions unworthy of the humanand often subsist in living and working conditions unworthy of the human
person.person.

Of the 6.3 billion persons on earth,
17.4% live on less than $1/day.
40% live on less that $2/day.
<$1/day
<$2/day
>$2/day
Over 800 million are hungry.
24,000 children die every day from starvation.
The world’s richest 500 individuals have a combined income greater than that of the
poorest 416 million. The 2.5 billion people living on less than $2/day account for 5%
of global income. The richest 10%, account for 54% of global income.
70% of the poor are women and children.
In India, the death rate for children under 5 is 50% higher for girls than it
is for boys =130,000 lives lost each year just because of gender.
In 2003, 3 million died from HIV/AIDS, leaving 5 million new infections. Millions of
children have been orphaned. In one rural diocese in Uganda there are 150,000
AIDS orphans. Worldwide, 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS; 2/3 of them
live in Africa. 90% live in the third world or the “South”, but of the billions spent each
year on care, research and education, 90% is spent in the “North.”
It is commonly estimated that in the underdeveloped countries of Asia and Africa,
the Catholic Church provides about 25% of all social services to the poor.
http://www.crs.org/about_us/newsroom/speeches_and_testimony/releases.cfm?ID=32

About arbitrary imprisonment, the Council makes the further
judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning war:
(#79) On the subject of war, quite a large number ofOn the subject of war, quite a large number of
nations have subscribed to international agreements aimed atnations have subscribed to international agreements aimed at
making military activity and its consequences less inhuman.making military activity and its consequences less inhuman.
Their stipulations deal with such matters as the treatment ofTheir stipulations deal with such matters as the treatment of
wounded soldiers and prisoners. Agreements of this sort mustwounded soldiers and prisoners. Agreements of this sort must
be honored. Indeed they should be improved upon so that thebe honored. Indeed they should be improved upon so that the
frightfulness of war can be better and more workably held infrightfulness of war can be better and more workably held in
check. All men, especially government officials and experts incheck. All men, especially government officials and experts in
these matters, are bound to do everything they can to effectthese matters, are bound to do everything they can to effect
these improvements. Moreover, it seems right that laws makethese improvements. Moreover, it seems right that laws make
humane provisions for the case of those who for reasons ofhumane provisions for the case of those who for reasons of
conscience refuse to bear arms, provided however, that theyconscience refuse to bear arms, provided however, that they
agree to serve the human community in some other way.agree to serve the human community in some other way.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is mandated by the
international community, under the Geneva Conventions, to visit
prisoners of war and civilian internees to verify whether they are
being treated according to relevant international standards. In
addition, it also seeks to visit those held in situations of internal
violence.
In 2005, the ICRC visited more than 500,000
prisoners of war and detainees in more than 80
countries.
ICRC detention visits aim to ensure respect for the
life and dignity of prisoners of war and other
detainees and to prevent torture, ill-treatment or
abuse which violate essential rights and the basic
principles of humanity, breed hatred and feed a
cycle of violence. Regular visits enable the ICRC
to track prisoners' whereabouts and make
recommendations to the authorities concerned
about any improvements to conditions that may be
necessary.

About slavery, the Council makes the further judgment almost
immediately after #27, as a kind of punctuation about its evil:
(#29) Human institutions, both private and public, mustHuman institutions, both private and public, must
labor to minister to the dignity and purpose of man. At the samelabor to minister to the dignity and purpose of man. At the same
time let them put up a stubborn fight against any kind of slavery,time let them put up a stubborn fight against any kind of slavery,
whether social or political, and safeguard the basic rights.whether social or political, and safeguard the basic rights.

Slavery exists today despite the fact that it is banned in most of the countries
where it is practised.
•Bonded labour affects millions of people around the world. People become
bonded labourers by taking or being tricked into taking a loan for as little as the
cost of medicine for a sick child. To repay the debt, many are forced to work long
hours, seven days a week, up to 365 days a year. They receive basic food and
shelter as 'payment' for their work, but may never pay off the loan, which can be
passed down for generations.
•Early and forced marriage affects women & girls who are married without
choice and are forced into lives of servitude often accompanied by physical
violence.
•Forced labour affects people who are illegally recruited by individuals,
governments or political parties and forced to work -- usually under threat of
violence or other penalties.
•Slavery by descent is where people are either born into a slave class or are
from a 'group' that society views as suited to being used as slave labour.
•Trafficking involves the transport and/or trade of people -- women, children and
men -- from one area to another for the purpose of forcing them into slavery
conditions.

the national and
Church document to
issues.
Continuing with degrading
working conditions, the third
circle from the core, the
Council adds a further
judgment

About degrading working conditions, the Council makes the
further judgment in its presentation of the norms concerning
economic and social life:
(#67) Since economic activity for the most part implies theSince economic activity for the most part implies the
associated work of human beings, any way of organizing and directing itassociated work of human beings, any way of organizing and directing it
which may be detrimental to any working men and women would bewhich may be detrimental to any working men and women would be
wrong and inhuman. It happens too often, however, even in our days, thatwrong and inhuman. It happens too often, however, even in our days, that
workers are reduced to the level of being slaves to their own work. This isworkers are reduced to the level of being slaves to their own work. This is
by no means justified by the so-called economic laws. The entire processby no means justified by the so-called economic laws. The entire process
of productive work, therefore, must be adapted to the needs of the personof productive work, therefore, must be adapted to the needs of the person
and to his way of life, above all to his domestic life, especially in respectand to his way of life, above all to his domestic life, especially in respect
to mothers of families, always with due regard for sex and age. Theto mothers of families, always with due regard for sex and age. The
opportunity, moreover, should be granted to workers to unfold their ownopportunity, moreover, should be granted to workers to unfold their own
abilities and personality through the performance of their work. Applyingabilities and personality through the performance of their work. Applying
their time and strength to their employment with a due sense oftheir time and strength to their employment with a due sense of
responsibility, they should also all enjoy sufficient rest and leisure toresponsibility, they should also all enjoy sufficient rest and leisure to
cultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious life. They should alsocultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious life. They should also
have the opportunity freely to develop the energies and potentialitieshave the opportunity freely to develop the energies and potentialities
which perhaps they cannot bring to much fruition in their professionalwhich perhaps they cannot bring to much fruition in their professional
work.work.

• The global number of child labourers in the age group 5-17 decreased from 246
million in 2000 to 218 million in 2004, a decrease of 11%. The % of child labourers
in this age group went down from 16% (1 in 6) in 2000 to 14% (1 in 7) in 2004.
• The number of children aged 5-17 engaged in hazardous work has declined by
26%, from 171 million in 2000 to 126 million in 2004. With 33%, the decline in the
age group 5-14 has even been sharper.
• Latin America & the Caribbean stand out in terms of a rapid decline of child
labour. The number of children at work in the region has fallen by 2/3 over the last
4 years, with just 5% of children ages 5-14 now engaged in work.
• With 26%, or close to 50 million child workers, the proportion of children engaged
in economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa is currently the highest of any region
in the world.
• In the Asian-Pacific region, 122 million children ages 5-14 are engaged in work, 5
million fewer than four years ago. Less than 20% of Asian children in that age
group are now at work.
• In industrialized countries, about 2.5 million children under the age of 15 were at
work in 2000.
• Almost 7 out of 10 working children are in the agricultural sector; whereas 22%
work in services and 9% in industry, including mining, construction and
manufacturing.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/declaris/DECLARATIONWEB.DOWNLOAD_BLOB?Var_DocumentID=6215

II. Analysis
constitution Gaudium et Spes.
picture, using the palette from
that Church document to
issues.

1000 words” by locating the
voices who speak the
Spes now.
(#72) Christians who(#72) Christians who
take an active part intake an active part in
present-day socio-economicpresent-day socio-economic
development and fight fordevelopment and fight for
justice and charity should bejustice and charity should be
convinced that they canconvinced that they can
make a great contribution tomake a great contribution to
the prosperity of humanitythe prosperity of humanity
and to the peace of theand to the peace of the
world…Whoever inworld…Whoever in
obedience to Christ seeksobedience to Christ seeks
first the Kingdom of God,first the Kingdom of God,
takes therefrom a strongertakes therefrom a stronger
and purer love for helping alland purer love for helping all
one’s brothers and sistersone’s brothers and sisters
and for perfecting the workand for perfecting the work
of justice under theof justice under the
inspiration of charity.inspiration of charity.

1000 words” by locating the
voices who speak the
Spes now.
(# 90) …Finally, it is(# 90) …Finally, it is
very much to be desired thatvery much to be desired that
Catholics, in order to fulfillCatholics, in order to fulfill
their role properly in thetheir role properly in the
international community, willinternational community, will
seek to cooperate activelyseek to cooperate actively
and in a positive mannerand in a positive manner
both with their separatedboth with their separated
brothers and sisters whobrothers and sisters who
together with them professtogether with them profess
the Gospel of charity andthe Gospel of charity and
with all people thirsting forwith all people thirsting for
true peace…true peace…

Outline of
Presentation
I. Description
II. Analysis
III.Resources
IV.Discussion
III.Resources
• INTERNET
• BOOKS

• INTERNET
• BOOKS
• INTERNET
III.Resources
Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist

• INTERNET
The Society of Catholic Social
Scientists at http://
www.catholicsocialscientists.org/
(the most extensive database of
institutes and organizations
working in Catholic Social
Thought as a result of a
collaborative effort between the
John A. Ryan Institute for Catholi
and the
Pontifical Council for Justice and
)

• INTERNET
United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops http://
www.usccb.org/index.shtml
•Church Documents,
•Church Life & Ministries,
•Evangelization & Outreach,
•Family & Laity Issues,
•Life Issues,
•Social Justice Issues

• INTERNET
Archdiocese of St.
Paul/Minneapolis
http://www.osjspm.org
(best diocesan site)
National Catholic Rural Life
Conference http://www.ncrlc.com
(most underutilized)

• INTERNET
• BOOKS• BOOKS
III.Resources
Catechism of the Catholic Church
. Washington, DC:
U.S.C.C.B., Inc.-Libreria
Editrice Vaticana, 1997.
THE Reference text. Part III
provides the most
accessibility to Gaudium et
Spes; needs to be studied.
Justice & Peace teaching is
highlighted especially in Part
III, Sec. 1, Ch. 2 “The Human
Community” and Part III,
Sec. 2, Commandments, 7, 8,
& 10.

• BOOKS
Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace. Compendium of the Social
Doctrine of the Church.
Washington, DC: U.S.C.C.B.,
Inc.-Libreria Editrice Vaticana,
2004.
Not as authoritative as CCC.
Quotes from Gaudium et Spes
most often after Scriptures and
CCC. Broad understanding of
social doctrine from “Roman
School” > highlights virtue of love
the most. Very compatible with
Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical
Letter Deus Caritas Est.

• BOOKS
Bruce Malchow. Social Justice in
the Hebrew Bible. Collegeville,
MN: A Michael Glazier
Book/Liturgical Press, 1996.
Excellent, concise, historical-
critical approach to topic in all
books. Could help enhance
preaching on Old Testament
significantly.

• BOOKS
Marvin L. Krier Mich. Catholic
Social Teaching and Movements.
Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third
Publications, 1998.
Good overview of 20th C.
Magisterial teachings,
movements, and personalities for
a theologically teachable
audience, like undergraduates.
Sensitive to feminist and
ecological perspectives.

• BOOKS
Thomas Massaro. Living Justice:
Catholic Social Teaching in
Action. Franklin, WI: Sheed &
Ward, 2000.
Good introductory text of 20th C.
Magisterial teachings,
movements, and personalities for
adult education and high school
audiences. Favors revisionist
approach to moral theology.

• BOOKS
Edward P. Deberri, James E.
Hug, Peter J. Henriot, & Michael
J. Schultheis. Catholic Social
Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret.
4th Rev. & Ex. Ed. Maryknoll, NY:
Orbis Books, 2003.
Good outline text for parish justice
& peace committees, St. Vincent
de Paul, or RCIA. Attempts
comprehensive list of 20th
& early
21st
C. Magisterial documents.
Includes paraphrase outlines of
documents with a liberationist
bent.

• BOOKS
Anthony Ciorra & James Keating.
Moral Formation in the Parish:
With Your Whole Heart Turn to
God. New York: Alba House,
1998.
Excellent tool for parishes who
embrace the new evangelization.
Many helpful exercises for parish
staffs and councils from the
perspective of new faithful
orthodoxy.

• BOOKS
Kristin E. Heyer. Prophetic &
Public: The Social Witness of
U.S. Catholicism. Washington,
DC: Georgetown University
Press, 2006.
Newly-released comparison of
“new wineskins” approach of
Michael Baxter, C.S.C., and
Bostonian J. Bryan Hehir along
with case studies of USCCB,
NETWORK, and Pax Christi USA.

Outline of
Presentation
I. Description
II. Analysis
III.Resources
IV.DiscussionIV.Discussion
 Who are the voiceless,
the powerless, and
the abandoned to
whom God is sending
you to bring joy and
hope?
 How will you be able
to use this analysis?
 How will you be able
to use these
resources?

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium

More Related Content

What's hot (17)

Similar to A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Catholic Social Teaching and the New Millennium

Editor's Notes