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New York Thruway Tour October 7-11
Sponsored by Upstate NY CTA
Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Albany
Being American and Catholic: Supporting the Common Good
By Christine Schenk CSJ
www.futurechurch.org
Outline:
1. Introduction
a. Happy for opportunity to reflect together with you on the Topic: Being American and
Catholic: Supporting the Common Good
b. Timeliness (set context briefly...politically in US and in the Church)
2. Starting/grounding points:
a. Reflection on what it means to be American today?
b. Reflections on what Roman Catholic means to me?
c. Reflect on what is meant by the Common Good in both of these contexts?
i. Quotes from world’s religions
3. Enter Biblical roots of Catholic Social Teaching
a. Historical Jesus: “Reign of God” on earth as in heaven [challenge of Lord’s prayer]
4. What does the example of Jesus means for us today as American Roman Catholics as we seek the
common good...of being true to values of the reign of God.
a. Complex question for a complex time.
b. Take a moment to name main themes of Catholic Social Teaching
c. Challenging questions to our church in light of all the above.
d. Challenging questions to our US society in light of all the above.
5.
What can help us? Reprise re: reign of God.
6. Conclusion
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Being American and Catholic: Supporting the Common Good.
1. Introduction
a. Happy for opportunity to speak on the Topic: Being American and Catholic:
Supporting the Common Good. I look forward to reflecting together on what we
American Catholics have to bring to the “Common Good” as it relates to US
culture...AND to the culture of the universal church
b. Timeliness (set context briefly...politically in US and in the Church)
2. Starting/grounding points
a. AMERICAN:
i. DECLARATION of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men [and women] are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
[Declaration of Independence]
1. A unique thing about American experiment is that the fledgling nation was
founded on the very big idea that Human rights come from God to each person at
birth....not given by king... Until then, believed that (Rights come from the
beneficence of the Ruler) [aside: Church canon law still operation from the
former until Vatican II]
2. CATCHY IDEA: From declaration emerged:
a. Internationally: French revolution...subsequent democratization of the world
governments until today the only absolute monarchies (both head of state
and government) remaining are the Vatican and Saudi Arabia
b. US: (and subsequently spreading around world)
i. Eventual abolition of slavery and full voting rights for men of color
ii. Voting rights and full enfranchisement of women (still ongoing)
iii. Recognition of Gay rights and need for full enfranchisement of members
of GLBT community.
ii. American can also mean:
1. Privileged In 2004, the United States accounted for less than 5% of the world's
population and 33% of global consumption. The rise in consumption has not led
to a rise in happiness among U.S. consumers. About a third of people in the U.S.
report being "very happy," the same share as in 1957, when they were only half
as wealthy. Americans are also some of the most overworked people in the
industrial world, putting in the equivalent of nine more weeks on the job each
year than the average European. (World Resources Institute, Worldwatch
Institute)
2. Unbridled Capitalism [profit at any cost: Housing crisis: thousands sold
mortgages they couldn’t afford that banks then sold to make $$..result of de
regulation supported by both dems and Rs that began under]
3. Growing Gap between rich and poor As potentially the richest and most unequal
society in history, the income gap in the US is growing faster than in any other
developed nation, with severe poverty levels at their highest since 1972.[27]
(BEFORE economic melt down: See Paul Buchheit. "The Income Gap: Profits
Up 93%, CEO Pay Up 571% -- Worker Salaries Stagnant." (Counterpunch.org,
February 28 2007).http://www.stwr.org/poverty-inequality/key-facts.html
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iii. Melting Pot: Great capacity to absorb diversity...historically in the industrial age from Europe,
now from central America, Africa, Lebanon, and all over the world, including many diverse
religious communities including Islam, Buddhist, Sikhism etc (cleveland Ohio)..GREAT
CREATIVITY, ENERGY, TOLERANCE OF DIFFERENCE...SERVED US WELL IN OUR
HISTORY!! food and people from over 100 ethnic groups including asian, arab, Lithuanian,
lationoa, african, croats, serbs, slovenians, bohemians..German, Irish, etc
b. CATHOLIC
i. Starting point:[my definition] Oldest Christian community on earth. Values travelling together
through time in the company of great sinners and of great saints. This Catholic pilgrimage has
at various times rejected, embraced and transformed both governance and culture in the Greco
Roman/Judeo Christian cultures of the East and West.
ii. A Christian community that aspires to both preserve the memory of Jesus’ salvific mission and
live it in every period of church history, even as we learn AND INTEGRATE new truths from
science and intercultural and interreligious dialogue about the wideness of God who is
ultimate Mystery.
iii. A beloved People of God always in need ITSELF of sustenance, reform and salvation through
the saving mystery of Christ.
iv. A Justice-seeking people aspiring to live Jesus’ prayer that God’s kin-dom come, God’s will be
done on EARTH as it is in heaven. [more on this later]
c. What is meant by the Common Good Begin with quotes from world’s religions:
i. Bahai: Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves ( Baha’u’illah Tablets of
Baha’ullah ‘71
ii. Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful (Udana Farqu 5:1)
iii. Judaism: What is hateful to you, Do not do to your neighbor. That is the entire Torah. The
rest is commentary. Rabbi Hillel to Sahmmai Talmud Shabbat 31:A
iv. Sikhism: Be not estranged from one another for God dwells in every heart. (Sri gure granth
sahi??)
v. Islam: No one is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself
vi. Christianity: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Jesus: Luke 6:13) "Amen,
I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
“Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done...on earth as it is in heaven. “Give us
today the bread we need for the journey” and forgive us our
faults/debts/failings as we forgive others, And do not let us be tempted but
deliver us from evil..for Thine is the kin-dom”
1. Enter Biblical roots of Catholic IDEA OF THE COMMON GOOD/ Social Teaching
a. Historical Jesus: “Reign of God” on earth as in heaven [challenge of Lord’s prayer
reverberates through the centuries]
i. What that meant for Jesus (and what it cost him) in meeting the challenges of his times
1. Roman overlords
2. Religious establishment propping up unjust system even as it imposed heavy
spiritual burdens on the marginalized that only increased their sense of
unworthiness in God’s eyes.
a. Jesus all about reminding the human community of our obligations to care for one
another EVEN GOING SO FAR AS TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF WITH THEM: “WHEN
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I WAS HUNGRY YOU GAVE ME TO EAT...WHEN I WAS THIRSTY, NAKED
AND IMPRISONED YOU CARED.
b. Jesus all about helping people know they are unconditionally VALUED and loved by
God, despite with the ruling elites of his religious culture said
i. Shown in his disregard of rules of ritual purity
1. Eating with tax collectors and sinners!
2. Being touched Woman with flow of blood,
3. son of widow of Nain (touching dead=unclean)
4. Healing on Sabbath
c. While extraordinarily gentle with tax collectors and sinners (Zaccheus, Levi woman
accused of adultery,) Jesus reserved harshest criticism for his own religious leaders when
he saw them obstructing God’s loving reign “on earth as it is in heaven” ‘
i. Harsh because to ordinary people the religious leaders evoked God...A
God who ruled over them and expected them to obey beyond all else. But
Jesus knew God as intimate father, loving parent, Jesus’ God was first and
foremost a God of unconditional love, and of justice. And so we see his
occasional explosive outbursts of righteous anger at religious leaders who
witnessed too often to an idolatrous God made in their own image
ii. Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the
Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell
you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay them on people's
shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their
finger. 5 23
iii. “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees” But woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's
faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would
enter to go in.[d]
iv. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill
and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and
mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting
the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a
camel
a. In J’s world: a hierarchy of values: Justice, Mercy, faithfulness
B. B. TODAY: HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT A CHURCH
HIERARCHY THAT SPENDS 20 YEARS OBSESSING
OVER THINGS LIKE MASS TRANSLATIONS “CHALICE
VS CUP” “LIKE THE DEWFALL” “ALL OR MANY”
WHEN OVER HALF OF THE WORLDS CATHOLICS
HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE MASS AT ALL BECAUSE OF
THE PRIEST SHORTAGE
NOTE!! Jesus could be equally tough on his own disciples when they weren’t attending to the things
of God: “But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me;
for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."
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d. Jesus taught and practiced about FORGIVENESS 70x7/ LEAVE YOUR GIFT AT THE
ALTAR
2. What does the life of Jesus means for us today as American Roman Catholics as we seek the
common good...of being true to Values of the reign of God.
a. Complex question for a complex time. Can’t presume to have answers for each...but we
are blessed with many contemporary reflections by theologians and lay leaders...resulting
in official pastoral letters and statements by congregations of bishops and
Popes....resulting in Catholic Social Teaching
3. Take a moment now to review some of the main themes of CST and then give some examples
of challenging questions that came to me as it applies to our US society, as well as to our
church society.
NAME NINE THEMES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/catholicsocialteachings.html
1. DIGNITY OF HUMAN PERSON (all made in image and likeness of God)
“At the center of all Catholic social teaching are the transcendence of God and the dignity of
the human person. The human person is the clearest reflection of God's presence in the world;
all of the Church's work in pursuit of both justice and peace is designed to protect and promote
the dignity of every person. For each person not only reflects God, but is the expression of
God's creative work and the meaning of Christ's redemptive ministry.” (The Challenge of
Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, #15, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1983)
2. This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This
freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of
social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a
manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in
association with others within due limits. (Hum Dig)
CHRIS REFLECTION (Ch and society both): Poor people? Whether deserving or undeserving: Gay
people? Women? Osama bin Laden? Al Qaida? Bumper Sticker: God Loves Everyone (no
exceptions)
2. COMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD: All beings, indeed all creation, are sacred and
deeply interconnected. When one suffers, all suffer. When one rejoices, all rejoice. What is needed
for the flourishing of the entire communion of life?
“The human person is both sacred and social, and human fulfillment is achieved through relationships and achievements in
society. Society is enriched through the efforts of those who work for the common good, and through those, who in achieving
their personal objectives, respect the rights and dignity of others. How a society is structured will directly affect how well
individuals will be able to grow and live in dignity. To love your neighbor as yourself is an individual duty, but it also calls for
a greater social commitment. Social responsibility is achieved when all members of the community work toward the common
good; everyone is responsible for the good of the whole society.
“It is imperative that no one, out of indifference to the course of events or because of inertia,
would indulge in a merely individualistic morality. The best way to fulfill one's obligations of
justice and love is to contribute to the common good according to one's means and the needs of
others, and also to promote and help public and private organizations devoted to bettering the
conditions of life.” (Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern
World, #30, Second Vatican Council, 1965)
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CHRIS REFLECTION: Eg of anti muslim video/ Clergy sex abuse
3. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES All people have a fundamental right to life, food and
shelter, health care, education and employment.
Human dignity can only be promoted and respected in society through the protection and implementation of the fundamental rights of life,
food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, and employment. In order for these rights to be respected and granted universally, each
individual has a responsibility to promote them on individual, familial, and societal levels.
“It is agreed that in our time the common good is chiefly guaranteed when personal rights and
duties are maintained. The chief concern of civil authorities must therefore be to ensure that
these rights are acknowledged, respected, coordinated with other rights, defended and
promoted, so that in this way everyone may more easily carry out their duties. For 'to
safeguard the inviolable rights of the human person, and to facilitate the fulfillment of each
one's duties, should be the chief duty of every public authority.'” (Pacem in Terris, Peace on
Earth, #60, John XXIII, 1963)
2. This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This
freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of
social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a
manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in
association with others within due limits. (Hum Dig)
4. PARTICIPATION All people have a right and a duty to participate in the economic, political, and
cultural life of society, and should be assured of that right.
Human dignity requires it; justice demands it. The common good cannot be promoted or achieved without that participation, making it
fundamentally wrong to exclude any person or group from participating, at least minimally, in society.
"These fundamental duties can be summarized this way: basic justice demands the
establishment of minimum levels of participation in the life of the human community for all
persons. The ultimate injustice is for a person or group to be treated actively or abandoned
passively as if they were nonmembers of the human race. To treat people this way is
effectively to say they simply do not count as human beings."- Economic Justice for
All
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social
Teaching and the U.S. Economy
U. S. Catholic
Bishops, 1986
5. OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE. “The moral test of a society is how it treats
its most vulnerable members” (including creation with sustains it)
It is society’s responsibility, and therefore the responsibility of its members, to care for the poor and marginalized. How well it
does this will be a reflection of its conscience as well as its commitment to the common good of all. Social responsibility
toward the poor should be seen on both individual and societal levels. Individual choices as well as public policy decisions
should be made so that the poor are not negatively affected. Preferential option for the poor will not harm society; rather it
will increase its value.
"If someone who has the riches of this world sees his brother in need and closes his heart to
him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (1 Jn 3:17). It is well known how strong were the
words used by the Fathers of the Church to describe the proper attitude of persons who possess
anything towards persons in need. To quote Saint Ambrose: "You are not making a gift of
your possessions to the poor person. You are handing over to him what is his. For what has
been given in common for the use of all, you have arrogated to yourself. The world is given
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to all, and not only to the rich.” (Populorum Progressio: On the Development of Peoples,
#23, Paul VI, 1967)
6. DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS/ECONOMIC JUSTICE Work is a form
of continuing participation in God’s creation. Economy exists to serve the communion of life, not the
other way around
The economy should serve the people, not the other way around. All workers have the right to
organize and join unions. They also have the right to fair wages, safe working environments,
and access to productive work. And while people have a basic right to economic initiative and
private property, this right has its limits. No person should amass excessive wealth when others
lack the basic necessities of life."There are needs and common goods that cannot be satisfied
by the market system. It is the task of the state and of all society to defend them. An idolatry
of the market alone cannot do all that should be done."- Centesimus Annus (Donders), The
Hundredth Year
John Paul II, 1991
(EGs of International corporations value corporate profits over human workers ...ask re: two
approaches to General motors bail out or not? Which one meets the challenge of serving the common
good?]
7. GLOBAL SOLIDARITY: Justice and Peace We are one global family; we are called to work
for justice and peace for the communion of all that God has created.
The promotion of peace is a requirement of our faith. The fruit of justice, peace depends upon right order among human beings. The challenge of
peace calls us to oppose unjust war, nuclear conflict, weapons of mass destruction, and the arms race. It also calls us to oppose economic injustice
and corruption, known to often be the seeds of resentment, unrest and civil strife.
"Peace is not merely the absence of war. Nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a
balance of power between enemies. Nor is it brought about by dictatorship. Instead, it is rightly
and appropriately called 'an enterprise of justice' (Is. 32:7). Peace results from that harmony built
into human society by its divine founder, and actualized by men as they thirst after ever greater
justice."- Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World; Second
Vatican Council, 1965
"Catholic social teaching more than anything else insists that we are one family; it calls us to
overcome barriers of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, economic status, and nationality. We are
all one in Christ Jesus (cf Gal 3:28) - beyond our differences and boundaries." (Communities of
Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish, p. 10, U.S. Catholic Bishops,
1993)
8. CARE OF GOD’S CREATION God expresses God’s Self through creation. Love, protection
and respect for earth and all creatures are requirements of faith. “(behold the lilies of the
field...even Soloman in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these?’
They speak of the environment, saying that the demand for resources and energy endanger the
essential elements of life on earth (a. 11): natural resources, air, water, and the small delicate
biosphere of the whole complex of all life on earth must be saved and preserved as a unique
patrimony belonging to the whole human race (a. 8). 1971 World Synod of bishops Global Climate
Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, #18, U.S. Catholic Bishops,
2001)
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IN light of CST then, WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGING QUESTIONS FACING
AMERICAN CATHOLICS SEEKING THE COMMON GOOD?
Since The 1971 world synod of bishops recognized that “whoever ventures to speak to others about
justice must first be just in their eyes” I will begin with some challenges and questions facing
American catholic seeking to support the common good in the Church
I make no attempt to be all inclusive in my reflections and question.....so please keep your own in
mind and I look forward to sharing them when we have time for exchange at the end.
1. Does it support the common good for any bishop to close viable parishes solely because of the
monetary value of the property or because of the priest shortage? Why are we closing parishes
rather than opening ordination?
i. What can and American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
[plug FutureChurch Save Our Parish Community project]
2.
Do the Catholic people have a right to regularly celebrate and receive the nourishment of
Eucharist...our Catholic soul food?
a. In Brazil 85% of all Sunday services are led by lay people. Eucharist is available 3-4
times a year at most.
b. According to a 2008 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate study, half of the
19,302 active diocesan priests plan to retire by 2019. We are ordaining about 380 new
diocesan priests each year. In just eight years, we will have only 13,500 active diocesan
priests to serve our 18,000 parishes, presuming ordinations remain constant, as they
have for over a decade.
c. Diocese of Saginaw: over half of all parishes led by pastoral life coordinators.
d. Rural Reconfiguring: can lead to some having to travel 100 miles for Sunday Mass
e. What is more important: the male celibate priesthood or regular access to the Eucharist?
(Canon law says Catholics have a right to the goods of the church (Mass and
sacraments).
i. What can an American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
1. FutureChurch Priesthood Sunday Celebrations (free download)
Paper and Electronic Postcard campaign to the Congregation for the
Clergy asking to open discussion about mandatory celibacy, Open
Letter to U.S. Bishops all at www.futurechurch.org
3. Do all the Baptized have a right to participate in church governance both at home and in Rome or is
it only the ordained clergy? Would we have better leadership in the church if all the People of God
participated in appropriate decisions about matters that affect all the People of God? Right now canon
law says only the ordained may participate in governance: PARTICIPATION
: basic justice demands the establishment of minimum levels of participation in the life of the human community for all persons.
The ultimate injustice is for a person or group to be treated actively or abandoned passively as if they were nonmembers of the
human race. To treat people this way is effectively to say they simply do not count as human beings."- Economic Justice for
All
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social
Teaching and the U.S. Economy
U. S. Catholic Bishops, 1986
i. What can an American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
Plug VOTF bishop selection process (Chicago): “Act as if”
FutureChurch’s A Million Voices effort at www.futurechurch.org
4. In the RCC Does the Human Dignity of gay people and women count as much as the human
dignity of straight people and men?
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Corollary: Does the RCC believe women image God? If so, why don’t we see women
officiating on our altars and preaching from our pulpits?
Corollary Do Gay people image God? If so, Why are we discriminating against them?
"Catholic social teaching more than anything else insists that we are one family; it calls us to overcome barriers of race,
religion, ethnicity, gender, economic status, and nationality. We are all one in Christ Jesus (cf Gal 3:28) - beyond our differences and
boundaries." (Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish, p. 10, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1993)
The ultimate injustice is for a person or group to be treated actively or abandoned passively as if they were nonmembers of
the human race. To treat people this way is effectively to say they simply do not count as human beings."- Economic Justice
for All
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social
Teaching and the U.S. Economy
U. S. Catholic Bishops, 1986
i. What can and American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
1. Women’s Issues: FutureChurch Mary of Magdala, Women in
Church Leadership and Celebrating Women Witnesses projects as
well as electronic and paper postcards asking for restoration of
women deacons to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ..
all at www.futurechurch.org
2. GLBT Issues....See CTA GLBT equality, Fortunate Families, New
Ways Ministry, Dignity: Equally Blessed
5. Do people who work in Catholic Institutions have the same rights to organize and join unions as
with other workers?
The economy should serve the people, not the other way around. All workers have the right to organize and join
unions.[Rerum Novarum] They also have the right to fair wages, safe working environments, and access to productive work.
And while people have a basic right to economic initiative and private property, this right has its limits. No person should
amass excessive wealth when others lack the basic necessities of life."There are needs and common goods that cannot be
satisfied by the market system. It is the task of the state and of all society to defend them. An idolatry of the market alone cannot
do all that should be done."- Centesimus Annus (Donders), The Hundredth Year
John Paul II, 1991
i. What can and American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
1. Interfaith committee on Worker Justice
2. CTA worker Justice project
6. How can an American Catholic to support the common good when Catholic hierarchical leaders are
not held accountable for the criminal acts of their subordinates , 'to safeguard the inviolable rights of the human
person, and to facilitate the fulfillment of each one's duties, should be the chief duty of every public authority.'” (Pacem in Terris,
Peace on Earth, #60, John XXIII, 1963)
i. What can and American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
1. VOTF, SNAP, Bishop Accountability
7. How can an American catholic respond when there is severe lack of financial transparency, if not
outright fraud in the use of their donations, whether at home or in Rome?
“It is agreed that in our time the common good is chiefly guaranteed when personal rights and duties are maintained. “ The chief
concern of civil authorities must therefore be to ensure that these rights are acknowledged, respected, coordinated with other rights,
defended and promoted, so that in this way everyone may more easily carry out their duties. For 'to safeguard the inviolable rights of
the human person, and to facilitate the fulfillment of each one's duties, should be the chief duty of every public authority.'” (Pacem in
Terris, Peace on Earth, #60, John XXIII, 1963)
i. What can an American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
Read Jason Berry’s book: Render Unto Rome: the Secret Life of Money in the
Catholic Church and
FutureChurch’s statement on financial accountability/Peter’s Pence at
www.futurechurch.org
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8. Does it serve the common good when male church officials allege doctrinal irregularities about
committed faithful theologians both male and female as well as virtually all U.S. women religious
without consultation and the opportunity to defend oneself? What about conscience rights in the church
about who may be ordained to the priesthood, human dignity and rights of global people etc.
ii. This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means
that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any
human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs,
whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others within due limits.
What can an American Catholic to do to support the common good here”
Read the theologian’s books,
Make Noise with church officials,
WRITE nuncio etc:
Support Catholic Theological Society of America’s work to continue
discussion re Catholic teaching on the non-ordination of women...See
FutureChurch A Million Voices Resource: especially essay and education
program on Conscience, Dissent and Non Ordination of Women
Excursus on The Vatican II document Dignitaties Humane (on human dignity) The Declaration
on Religious Freedom:
o Little known fact that the most disputed issue in that document was not religious the free
exercise of religion as a human and civil right but the issue of the development of doctrine...ie
that church teaching can change over time, given the socio culture milieus of the day. Until
DH prevailing teaching was Pio Nono’s Syllabus of Errors December 8, 1864 which said
o 55. The Church ought to be separated from the .State, and the State from the Church. -Allocution "Acerbissimum," Sept. 27, 1852.
o 15 "every man is free to embrace and profess that religion which, guided by the light of
reason, he shall consider true." (No. 15)
o 77 In the present day it is no longer expedient that the Catholic religion should be held
as the only religion of the State, to the exclusion of all other forms of worship. -Allocution "Nemo vestrum," July 26, 1855.
o Hence it has been wisely decided by law, in some Catholic countries, that persons
coming to reside therein shall enjoy the public exercise of their own peculiar worship. -Allocution "Acerbissimum," Sept. 27, 1852.
o Not a complete theology of religious freedom but points to it...Far more ambitious task that
according to John Courtney Murray would have been necessary to develop 4 major themes
o Concept of freedom of the People of God---as a participation in the freedom of the HS,
the principal agent in the history of salvation by whom the children of God are “led’
(Rom 8, 14) to the Father through Jesus.
o Concept of freedom of church in her ministry, as a participation in the freedom of PX
himself to whom all authority in heaven and earth was given and who is present in his
church to the end
o The concept of Christian faith as a person’s free response to the divine call issued
through PX and heard in the heart where the HS speaks
o The juridical concept of religious freedom as a human and civil right founded on the
native dignity of the human person made in God’s image and therefore enjoys his birth
right: participation in the freedom of God Himself:
 “Error might not have any rights, but people do”
We have a lot of challenging changes ahead of us in the Church!
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Lets now turn to some challenging questions CST raises about the common good in US society
1. Does it serve the common good when for-profit healthcare enterprises make money from another’s
misfortune...from treating sick, elderly and disabled people to pay shareholders? Has old age and
sickness become a profitable “product” in US consumer society?
2. Does it serve the common good for any viable US business or corporation of whatever size to
liquidate, downsize, pursue bankruptcy solely to increase profits to their shareholders?
Corollary 1. Do businesses large or small have responsibilities toward their workers?/ (With
rights go responsibilities
Corollary 2. What does Governor Romney’s record at Bain Capital have to say about his
capacity to value middle class jobs?
3. In a society saturated with marketing unhealthy food choices as good for you, do citizens have an
obligation to eat in a healthy way and avoid all the consequences (including societal financial impact)
of preventable diseases (diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer) resulting from smoking, obesity and
just plain bad nutrition? Is being overweight damaging the common good?
4., What does the Obama administration’s approval of the summary execution of Osama bin Laden and
keeping Guantanamo prison intact say about respect for international law and the rights of the
accused?
5. What does Romney’s 47% video and the Ryan budget plan say about valuing access to health care,
food, shelter and other basic services for the elderly, veterans and the poor?
6. How about the Obama administration’s use of drones to bomb in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Can the
use of violence ever sow lasting peace?
7. Where do we see willingness of Romney/Ryan/ the Tea Party to consider sharing the burden of
national debt across federal expenditures including military spending, oil exploration and tax
revenues?
8. Do some government programs inadvertently promote a certain dependency whether it is bailing out
banks with no accountability or bailing out people with no accountability?
9. Should the conscience rights of male leaders of patriarchal religious be respected in the ACA ruling
mandating family planning coverage? [Hum Dig 2]
10. What about the conscience rights of poor and middle class women in need of family planning
services and routine health care? [Hum Dig 2]
11. Do citizens in a society struggling with massive government debt have a responsibility to make
some sacrifices so both government and business can not only stabilize but thrive for their children and
grand children?
12. Do people who, through diligence, luck and hard work, amass great wealth have any obligation to
those who have so much less?
Corollary: How can we get Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates to share their journeys
with some of their super rich contemporaries who seem oblivious to the needs of the less fortunate.
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13. To what extent is society obligated to support the so called “underserving poor” People who game
the system, refuse to work though work is available etc? What would Jesus do? (I think of 70x7...but
also, “he who would not work, should not eat”)
14. Does our choice to rely on fossil fuels (whether it be in autos, home heating, driving rather than
biking or walking etc) rather than accessible green alternatives assure the ultimate destruction of our
planet through global warming and environmental devastation? What’s a faithful Catholic to do?
What can good Catholics do to support the common Good in US Society
Network, http://www.networklobby.org
A Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace, NETWORK educates, lobbies, and
organizes for economic and social transformation.
NETWORK is a progressive voice within the Catholic community that has been influencing Congress
in favor of peace and justice for more than 40 years. Through lobbying and legislative advocacy, we
strive to close the gap between rich and poor and to dismantle policies rooted in racism, greed and
violence. Since our founding in 1971 by 47 Catholic sisters, NETWORK has been faithfully answering
the Gospel call to act for justice. We invite you to join us.
NETWORK is a national movement of people who are challenged by the Gospel, Catholic Social
Teaching, and Earth principles. We act for justice and peace in solidarity with the global community.
We invite the participation of people from all sectors of our society and place the needs and voices of
people living in poverty at the center of decision making. We are anti-racist and inclusive in our
actions; we collaborate, partner and engage differences in service of our mission.
Catholics United http://www.catholics-united.org is a non-profit, non-partisan organization
dedicated to promoting the message of justice and the common good found at the heart of the Catholic
Social Tradition. We accomplish this mission through online advocacy and educational activities. We
began our online advocacy in the spring of 2004, when a group of Catholic activists and friends formed
the Catholic Voting Project to promote the U.S. Catholic Bishops' 2003 document Faithful
Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. The mission of CVP was to encourage a
public dialog about faith and politics that went beyond the tired rhetoric of partisan interests by
allowing Catholics to learn how their political views matched up to those of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
and the two major presidential candidates.
Faithful Citizenship etc The most obvious feature of “Faithful Citizenship” is the great respect it
shows for the intelligence and the autonomy of lay Catholics. The bishops note that they are not telling
anyone how to vote: Their job as teachers is to help lay Catholics form their conscience. Conscience is
not a pail into which you throw this or that teaching. Conscience is the voice of God speaking within
the heart and mind of the believer. The Church’s bishops must help lay Catholics to hear that voice,
BUT THEY CANNOT DICTATE THIS OR THAT POLICY POSITION IN SUCH A WAY AS TO
ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER TO LISTEN TO THEIR OWN
CONSCIENCE AND REACH THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS. “ALL CONSCIENCES ARE NOT
THE SAME,” AS JUDGE JOHN NOONAN SAID IN HIS GLORIOUS LAETARE ADDRESS AT
NOTRE DAME’S 2009 commencement.
Faith in Public Life http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/Mission
Faith in Public Life (FPL) is a strategy center for the faith community advancing faith in the public
square as a powerful force for justice, compassion and the common good.
In order to maximize the
faith community’s unique ability to shape public debates, FPL identifies and creates moments of
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opportunity, builds and supports broad coalitions, and designs and implements innovative campaigns,
bold initiatives and capacity-building tools. FPL’s approach emphasizes results, rapid response,
cutting-edge skills and media savvy.
History
Following the 2004 election, in which faith was often deployed in service of a narrow and partisan
agenda, a diverse group of 40 religious leaders came together to advance a positive alternative: a
robust and effective faith movement pursuing the common good with the savvy, flexibility and
nimbleness to thrive in a new political and media environment.
Faith in Public Life was founded to fuel this burgeoning faith movement with cutting edge strategies
and capacity-building resources. The founders gave FPL a movement-focused mission, rather than an
organizational or issue-focused one, and the specific mandate to lift up religious voices speaking for
justice and the common good, build bridges and facilitate strategic alliances, and find new ways
forward on historically divisive issues.
Program Work
Since its launch in 2006, Faith in Public Life has fulfilled this mission by building the movement’s
media presence and capacity, providing strategic assistance to faith-based coalitions, brokering new
partnerships, developing online communities and voter engagement tools, sponsoring opinion research,
and amplifying the voices of emerging religious leaders. FPL has built an innovative, collaborative,
strategic, results-oriented body of work in service of the faith community’s movement for the common
good.
Conclusion:
As we have seen there are many questions that face us as Catholic Americans we go about supporting
the Common Good whether in our church or in our society
How are we to act? How do we choose or prioritize what to do? It’s all pretty overwhelming really.
I offer characteristics from the life of Jesus that might guide us:
1. COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR THE MARGINALIZED: Clear that priority for Jesus was his
care for and defense of the poor and marginalized whether deserving or undeserving (your heavenly
father causes rain to fall on the just and unjust alike) WHATEVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF
THESE YOU DO TO ME? EUCHARIST=HEAVENLY/EARTHLY BANQUET WHERE ALL ARE
WELCOME TO THE TABLE: (OR ARE THEY?)
WHAT ACTION, POLICY, ISSUE MOST GOES TO COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR THE
MARGINALIZED
2. WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER...whether that power be secular civil or
religious. Jesus defense of the marginalized INCLUDED challenge to his own religious leaders, the
scribes and Pharisees . HOW DO WE FIND SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGMENT AND COURAGE
TO DO THIS?
3. FORGIVENESS No one of us is without fault. All of us are wounded, sinful pilgrims beloved of
God. Therefore a hallmark of the common good/reign of God must include a readiness to forgive and
start over...not once, not seven times but 70x7. HOW DOES MY LIFE IN CHRIST LEAD ME TO
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FORGIVE.....? (Very hard to stay part of the community without forgiveness) SO YES, ABP
SARTAIN, I FORGIVE YOU
4. COMMUNITY Jesus pursued his mission of bringing Gods loving reign/defending the common
good within a GENDER BALANCED community of love and support....Just such a community as we
have here to night. Within such a community miracles, happen, support happens, wisdom and
discernment happen “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
And so my friends, let us JOIN TOGETHER tonight to pledge to do our possible to support the
common Good in this our moment ON OUR American Catholic pilgrimage THROUGH church
history, in this our MILLIsecond of time in the mystery of an evolving universe.
LET US labor that God’s kin-dom will come in our day, that God’s will be done in our day, on
EARTH as it is in heaven/ Only then can we be faithful to God, to one another, to our beloved
country and to our Church.
Church
*Opening of second session on 9/29/63 Paul VI, “The Church is a mystery…It lies, therefore,
within the very nature of the Church to be always open to new and greater exploration.” Vatican II,
Dogmatic Constitution of the Church. Chapter 1, The Mystery of the Church, Footnote 1 to No 1.
*An individual layman by reason of the knowledge, confidence, and outstanding ability which he may
enjoy, is permitted and sometimes even obligated to express his opinion on things which concern the
good of the Church….A great many benefits are to be hoped for from this familiar dialogue between
the laity and their pastors. Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution of the Church. No. 37