Why is it that conservative Catholics recoil in horror at the words "Social Justice?" Do they believe in an unjust God? Do they think that Jesus was kidding when he talked about our duty to the poor? Are the Old Testament prophets and their constant call to work for a just society to be utterly and totally ignored? I, for one, am at a loss to understand this hostility. And make no mistake - there is real hostility. I have been shocked at how readily and bitterly some Catholics condemn any talk of Social Justice. With their rolled eyes, disgusted tones, and exasperated expressions they imply that such talk has no place in authentic Catholicism. For many on the right the mere mention of Social Justice is enough to send them into orbit.
I just don't get it. I honestly don't.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I would say that conservative Catholics react the same way to "Social Justice" as progressive Catholics do to the words "rosary", "private confession", communion rail", Latin Mass, etc.
Catholics are becoming like Protestants who pick a few verses out of the Bible and live their lives that way: 7th Day Adventists; Baptism by Immersion; Sola Scriptura; Faith Alone; Rapture; etc.
I admire greatly the social justice ministries of "progressive" parishes. What I don't understand is how they decided on their own to turn the liturgy into entertainment with words of their own choosing and abandon private confession for their communal therapy.
Somtimes conservative Catholics (and many other Christians) invoke the principle of subsidiarity, feeling that social problems need to be solved at a local and personal level. They prefer to support grassroots efforts such as community food pantries rather than governmental programs. Liberal Catholics ( I hate the labels "liberal" and "conservative") feel that problems such as poverty need to be addressed on a societal level. I feel that the Gospel calls us to both approaches; we need to do what we can where the rubber meets the road, but we are also obliged as a society to address social justice issues. Reasonable people can disagree about how best to do these things, but we can't in conscience duck the questions.
I think Melody is correct--social justice has local and global aspects. The Right to Life movement is an aspect of social justice, and conservative Catholics embrace the part of that that deals with abortion but not other aspects (e.g., poverty, health care, capital punishment, etc.). Isn't the saying, "Justice before charity?"
"Conservatives" (I hate the term because it is political, thus inaccurate) actually react to "Social Justice" because it has been hijacked and separated from its true intention.
I know of many parishes that have "Social Justice" but they don't get a lot of press because they go about their work humbly...and the work has to do with what they've always done...assisted unwedmothrs, worked at Caring/Sharing Hands, etc.
The Social Doctrine of the Church cannot be separated from human dignity and life issues, and yet, many of the places that have wrapped themselves completely into SJ have actually divorced themselves from morality and liturgy and all other things Catholic. They have taken "Social Justice" and made it political and environmentalist and completely granola. Welcome the new hippies.
So people cringe because they don't want to be equated with a tree-hugging PETA rep of a granola who calls herself "Catholic" even as she thumbs her nose at true Catholic teaching.
There's nothing wrong with Social Justice if it's lived out, and I know of alleged "conservative" parishes that have wonderful Social Justice programs, but they have called them something else.
So 'Conservatives" aren't reacting to the doctrine, but to what some people have done to the term.
There IS a difference.
And I do agree with Ray on this...some of those Social Justice parishes have wonderful ministries to the disenfranchized, but the problem is that their ministries don't involve Jesus...they are completely secular in nature.
I can name one wonderful ministry in particular that does a great deal of good...but I can't support it because, while it assists people dying of AIDS, it also endorses and affirms homosexual lifestyles.
Indeed, all who are dying of AIDS need to die with dignity...but that doesn't mean telling them that the actions they take in life are perfectly normal, denies the sacrament of Confession, doesn't give them the ability to embrace Christ as he longs to embrace them, etc.
Sure, it's a wonderful ministry, but it certainly isn't CATHOLIC.
So there you have a problem; whenever there is a disconnect between Catholic Social Doctrine and Catholic morality, you have a problem.
And yes, there ARE Catholic parishes that are too wrapped up in themselves and the liturgy, etc., while forgetting about those on the fringes. I totally agree this needs to change.
What Adoro said.
Horsefeathers. They act that way because they buy into the Protestant notion that the poor are inferior beings who need to be treated with contempt. All the highfalutin' arguments to whitewash it don't match reality.
The "liberal" Catholics have more understanding of Catholic doctrine than the Puritan wannabes who put the Republican platform over the Gospels.
Are you talking about anything in particular?
Fr. Charles Ledderer, The Dakotas, USA you are impersonating a Catholic priest. Your identity is fictitious. There are people on here that are believing you. I am asking you not to trick people anymore.
Post a Comment