CHAPTER 2
Justice and Virtues
Virtue
Habitual and firm
disposition to do the
good.
Justice
Theological
Virtues
God-given virtues
that direct us to
our loving, Triune
God.
Virtue
Faith
- Empowers us to believe in
God and all that God has said
and revealed to us, including
what the Church proposes for
our belief, because God is
truth itself.
Virtue
Hope
- Empowers us to trust
in God’s promises.
Charity/Love
 - Enables us to love God
above everything and to
love our neighbor as
ourselves.
Cardinal Virtues
“Hinge” virtues that
enable us to live
moral lives.
Virtue
Prudence
- Good common sense,
wisdom; human reason
married to truth.
Fortitude
 - Courage to do what is
true and right.
Artist: Luca Giordano
Virtue
Temperance
- Moderates the attraction of
pleasures and provides
balance in the use of created
goods (balance/self-control).
Justice
- We give God and our neighbor
what is their due by right.
Prudence
Faith
Fortitude
Theological
Hope
Virtues
Cardinal
Justice
Love/
Charity
Temperance
“Injustice anywhere is a
threat to justice
everywhere.”
Martin Luther King
Justice As A Virtue
- Commutative Justice
The justice of exchange.
Calls for fairness in agreements
and exchanges between
individuals or private social groups.
Equality based on what is given
and what is received.
Justice As A Virtue
- Distributive Justice
Justice that guarantees the common
welfare.
Involves sharing.
Just distribution of the goods of
creation that God intends all of us to
use and share.
Concerns the obligation of the
government to its citizens.
Justice As A Virtue
- Legal Justice
Citizens’ obligations toward
the larger society and
government.
Requires a citizen to obey the
laws of society and possibly
serve the government.
Justice As A Virtue
- Social Justice
Applies the Gospel message of Jesus
Christ to the structures, systems, and laws of
society in order to guarantee the rights of
individuals.
Ensures that persons have a fair say in social,
political, and economical institutions of
society.
Charity vs. Justice…
charity = social service
justice = social change
The Bible on Justice the Old Testament
The Covenant
The Bible on Justice
GOD
Faithfulness
God’s Justice
HIS
PEOPLE
The Bible on Justice the New Testament
the covenant continues
The Bible on Justice
- Justice in the New Testament:
Jesus taught the love of God and love of
neighbor as oneself are the Greatest
Commandments.
In order to embrace God’s kingdom, one
must live according to the
Beatitudes.
We are to respond to the needs of the
least in our midst.
(Parable of sheep and goats)
The Bible on Justice
 - Justice in the New Testament:
 Our neighbor is everyone. (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
 Be compassionate about the needs of others. (Parable of
the day laborers)
 Jesus’ passion death and resurrection was an act of
love for all to save us.
 Jesus formed a just community to carry
on his work after his ascension.
 Criteria to be a member of the community is to SERVE.
Catholic Social Teaching on Justice
“God does not ask
me to be
successful, but to
be faithful.”
Mother Teresa
Catholic Social Teaching on Justice
Early Christians…
shared their property
and goods,
condemned
selfishness, and
encouraged sharing.
In the history of our Church,
what did each of these people do to
promote justice?
St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Louise de Marillac
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
In the history of our Church:
We have established:
•Hospitals
•Homes for battered women
•Orphanages
•Schools to educate the poor
•Homes for aged and dying
•Much more
Catholic Social Teaching on Justice
Pope Leo XIII
Developed the
Church’s modern
social teachings.
Catholic Social Teaching on Justice
Rerum Novarum (The Condition of
Labor) written by Pope Leo XIII to
condemn the abuses of Marxist
socialism and unbridled capitalism.
Marked the beginning of the
Church’s social teaching in the
modern era.
Catholic Social Teaching on Justice
Other notable events:
• Second Vatican Council
• The American Conference
of Bishops
Catholic Social Teaching on Justice
The Bottom Line
Working for justice is an essential
dimension of Christian living.
It is not optional.
The Immigration Issue
Cesar Chavez
1927 - 1993
The Immigration Issue
 Refugee – A person who leaves his or
her country and is unwilling to return
due to persecution.
 Immigrant – A person who leaves one
country to take up permanent
residence in another country.
 Migrant – One who moves
within one’s country or
between countries in search
of work.
Immigration Debate
Class poll: Open Immigration (pro & con)
Rules for Debate
 Presentation by pro argument – uninterrupted
(5 min.)
 Rebuttal by opponent – 2 Questions
 Presentation by con argument – uninterrupted
(5 min.)
 Rebuttal by opponent – 2 Questions
 Groups will alternate asking questions
(answers limited to 2 min.)
 Summation – summary statement
(1 min. ea. Group)
Follow-up class poll: Open Immigration (pro & con)
Turn in individual outlines / Final class discussion
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Vocabulary
virtue
cardinal virtue
theological virtue
prudence
fortitude
temperance
justice
faith
hope
charity/love
Vocabulary
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commutative justice
distributive justice
legal justice
social justice
covenant
Rerum Novarum
globalization
refugee
immigrant
migrant