SOLIDARITY

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)