THEMES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL
TEACHING #6
SOLIDARITY
"Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or
shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On
the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to
the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual,
because we are all really responsible for all." (Sollicitdto rei Sociallis #38, John Paul II 1987)
The theme of Solidarity reminds us that we are our
brother's and sister's keepers, where ever they may be in the world. Our actions must be viewed not only in how
they affect those nearest to us, but also how they affect our brothers and
sisters around the globe. We are all interdependent upon each other. How we
conduct our economy here in North America affects those in distant countries.
John Paul continues: "Interdependence must be transformed into solidarity,
based upon the principle that the goods of creation are meant for all. That which human industry produces through the
processing of raw materials, with the contribution of work, must serve equally
for the good of all. (#39) This has
important implications for those of us who live in the richer nations. How much
of the world's resources we consume and how it affects others in poorer nations
must be part of our discussion and part of our decision making process. If others are hungry because we control
access to the food available to them, we are at fault and responsible for their
hunger. The Gospels, and the Church echoing them, call us to stand in
solidarity most especially with the poor and the oppressed. We do not own the
resources of the world simply because we are able to purchase them. As brothers
and sisters in the Lord we are responsible for one another most importantly
where those resources that enable others to live lives that are free of hunger
and poverty are not kept from them by the purchasing power of the wealthy.
As Pope Benedict says: "It is good for people to
realize that purchasing is always a moral - and not simply economic - act. Hence
the consumer has specific social responsibility, which goes hand-in-hand with
the social responsibility of the enterprise. Consumers should be continually
educated regarding their daily role, which can be exercised with respect for
moral principles without diminishing the intrinsic economic rationality of the
act of purchasing...I can be helpful to promote new ways of marketing products
from deprived areas of the world, so as to guarantee their producers a decent
return. (Caritas in Veritate, #66)
