What is Social Justice?What is Social Justice?

• An Action on behalf of those who are in Need; Micah refers to this as giving people their Due.

• A contribution to building a better society.

• A reflection of the love of God.

•The Kingdom of God

• Power guided by love.

• An effort to change social structures that keep people from reaching their potential.

• Fairness

Which of the definitions above is correct?

If you guessed If you guessed all of themall of them you are correct. Social Justice is a complex action involving you are correct. Social Justice is a complex action involving many concepts. many concepts. Two of the most important components of justice are basic needs and Two of the most important components of justice are basic needs and social structures. social structures. Basic needs begin with food, clothing and shelter or physical needs but is not Basic needs begin with food, clothing and shelter or physical needs but is not limited to these; needs can also be emotional or spiritual. Maslow, a psychologist in the 20limited to these; needs can also be emotional or spiritual. Maslow, a psychologist in the 20 thth century century thought of needs this way:thought of needs this way:

Social Structures are the institutions that help society to Social Structures are the institutions that help society to organize it self in ways that people can meet their needs.organize it self in ways that people can meet their needs. Here are some examples: Here are some examples:

FamilyFamily Schools and UniversitiesSchools and Universities Health Care SystemHealth Care System Economics: Business, Banks and Economics: Business, Banks and

CorporationsCorporations Government: Local, State and Government: Local, State and

FederalFederal Can You think of others?Can You think of others?

The Catholic Church has always provided moral guidelines for its faithful. The Catholic Church has always provided moral guidelines for its faithful. Since the 19Since the 19thth Century when Pope Leo the XIII wrote Century when Pope Leo the XIII wrote Rerum Novarum, On The Rerum Novarum, On The Condition of Labor, Condition of Labor, the Church hasthe Church has developed an extensive body of teachings developed an extensive body of teachings that explain the importance of justice; unfortunately many Catholics are that explain the importance of justice; unfortunately many Catholics are unaware of these teachings. They are often referred to as unaware of these teachings. They are often referred to as the best kept secret the best kept secret of the Church.of the Church. Traditionally, the faithful are more aware of the Church’s Traditionally, the faithful are more aware of the Church’s emphasis on charity. Both charity are essential to building the kingdom of emphasis on charity. Both charity are essential to building the kingdom of God, and the differences between them can be seen in the chart below: God, and the differences between them can be seen in the chart below:

Charity Justice

Calls for a form of social service Calls for social change

Scriptural Foundation: The Good Samaritan The Samaritan does not attempt to solve the root cause of the robbery; rather he provides immediate assistance to the traveler in need

Scriptural Foundation: Exodus Moses challenges Pharaoh’s institutionalized system of Hebrew Slavery; He seeks to change the condition of slavery to a condition of freedom.

Actions are individual and personal Actions are collective and public

Responds to immediate need and provides immediate resolution

Responds to a long-term need and requires time to bring about change

Requires Direct Service Requires Advocacy

Requires repeated actions Resolves the structural injustice

Addresses the effects of injustice or symptoms

Addresses the root cause of the problem

Example: Volunteering at a Shelter, donating to a food pantry

Example: Organizing a Boycott

The Church’s structural contributions to Justice:The Church’s structural contributions to Justice:

HospitalsHospitals Labor UnionsLabor Unions Catholic SchoolsCatholic Schools Social Service AgenciesSocial Service Agencies The Catholic Campaign for Human The Catholic Campaign for Human

DevelopmentDevelopment

Work CitedWork Cited

"Charity and Justice." "Charity and Justice." Office of Justice and PeaceOffice of Justice and Peace. Diocese of St. . Diocese of St. Paul Minneapolis, Web. 16 Sep 2009. Paul Minneapolis, Web. 16 Sep 2009.

Massaro, Thomas, SJ. Massaro, Thomas, SJ. Living JusticeLiving Justice. 1st. Lanham, MD: Sheed . 1st. Lanham, MD: Sheed and Ward, 2000. Print. and Ward, 2000. Print.

Wedel, Ethan, . "THE PRIMITIVE MODERNITY ." Web. 16 Sep Wedel, Ethan, . "THE PRIMITIVE MODERNITY ." Web. 16 Sep 2009. 2009. <http://deptorg.knox.edu/engdept/commonroom/Volume_Eleve<http://deptorg.knox.edu/engdept/commonroom/Volume_Eleve

n/number_two/Wedel/maslow.gif>.n/number_two/Wedel/maslow.gif>.