
	Each month Bishop Manning writes a Letter to the Catholic Community of Parramatta Diocese, which is published in 'Catholic Outlook', the official diocesan newspaper. Click here to view a pdf of the latest issue. To review previous letters from the Bishop visit the archive.
	July 2006 Call for justice must be clear From Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Outlook, July 2006. My Dear People, A report, commissioned by the Church of England, and entitled Faithful Cities: A call for celebration, vision and justice, shows that, while millions of pounds have been poured in Britain's cities and urban areas in recent years, economic growth has forced many to the margins, and highlighted the gap between the super-rich and the poorest. The report appeals to the government to implement a "living wage" rather than a "minimum wage". The report reminds churches of their duty to challenge the thoughtless accumulation of wealth that ignores the needs of the poor. Contemporary Australia Surely this is a timely call to reflection for Australians in the light of the new WorkChoices legislation. As Catholics, we ask ourselves: are the poor being neglected because the call to work for justice has become unclear, inconsistent and ambiguous? As Catholics and citizens, we ask: is our voice being heard, and understood, in the wider community? Social teaching We cannot let ourselves off the hook because, over many years, the Church has accumulated a systematic body of teaching on justice, development and peace. These are not optional extras! Take note of the 1971 Synod of Bishops document Justice in the World, which proclaimed that action for justice and transformation of the world make up part of the preaching of the Gospel, of the Church's mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. This is strong stuff and there can be no backing away from it. Principles The Church does not tell governments what solutions to adopt, but she must present the principles of social justice on which a just society must be based, and continue to challenge when injustice persists. The first principle relates to the human person. We say clearly, and unambiguously, that the human person is the most important element in society. Because human beings are created in the image of God, they have a fundamental dignity. This dignity carries with it a number of inalienable rights and responsibilities including that of actively shaping our society both as individuals and communities. The right of participation is closely linked with the dignity of the human person. The second principle relates to the purpose of government. The purpose of government is the promotion of the common good, "the sum total of those conditions of social living whereby people are enabled more fully and more readily to achieve their own perfection" (Mater et Magistra, 65). It is the role of government to structure society, including the economy, in ways that promote and ensure justice. Another key principle is the universal purpose of goods, which means that the goods of the world are meant for all. The right to private property is a fundamental human right but it is not absolute and untouchable. It does not rate alongside the principle that goods are meant for everyone. A fourth principle is the option for the poor. This principle insists that we stand with the poor and oppressed since we encounter Christ Himself in the poor and the outcast. Christ asked us to listen to the poor in a special way and to walk in their shoes. The Christian community should stand side-by-side with the victims of injustice as part of its continuing mission through history to serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ Assessment of WorkChoices legislation We must assess the justice of WorkChoices legislation on how it matches up with these principles. As Catholics and citizens, we cannot idly stand by to see any member of our society disadvantaged by any unjust legislation. The question is being asked of us: What can we do? We cannot get away with some vague compassion, or a shallow distress over misfortune. We need to be determined to commit ourselves to the common good: to fight for basic human rights, greater equality and distribution of goods and services; to help create a society where wealth and power are not the preserve of a few at the top of the pyramid. For a fully referenced version of this text click here. Bishop Kevin Manning, Bishop of Parramatta.

Each month Bishop Manning writes a Letter to the Catholic Community of Parramatta Diocese, which is published in 'Catholic Outlook', the official diocesan newspaper. Click here to view a pdf of the latest issue.

To review previous letters from the Bishop visit the archive.

July 2006

Call for justice must be clear

From Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Outlook, July 2006.

My Dear People,

A report, commissioned by the Church of England, and entitled Faithful Cities: A call for celebration, vision and justice, shows that, while millions of pounds have been poured in Britain's cities and urban areas in recent years, economic growth has forced many to the margins, and highlighted the gap between the super-rich and the poorest. The report appeals to the government to implement a "living wage" rather than a "minimum wage".

The report reminds churches of their duty to challenge the thoughtless accumulation of wealth that ignores the needs of the poor.

Contemporary Australia
Surely this is a timely call to reflection for Australians in the light of the new WorkChoices legislation. As Catholics, we ask ourselves: are the poor being neglected because the call to work for justice has become unclear, inconsistent and ambiguous? As Catholics and citizens, we ask: is our voice being heard, and understood, in the wider community?

Social teaching
We cannot let ourselves off the hook because, over many years, the Church has accumulated a systematic body of teaching on justice, development and peace. These are not optional extras!

Take note of the 1971 Synod of Bishops document Justice in the World, which proclaimed that action for justice and transformation of the world make up part of the preaching of the Gospel, of the Church's mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation.

This is strong stuff and there can be no backing away from it.

Principles
The Church does not tell governments what solutions to adopt, but she must present the principles of social justice on which a just society must be based, and continue to challenge when injustice persists.

The first principle relates to the human person. We say clearly, and unambiguously, that the human person is the most important element in society.

Because human beings are created in the image of God, they have a fundamental dignity. This dignity carries with it a number of inalienable rights and responsibilities including that of actively shaping our society both as individuals and communities.

The right of participation is closely linked with the dignity of the human person.

The second principle relates to the purpose of government. The purpose of government is the promotion of the common good, "the sum total of those conditions of social living whereby people are enabled more fully and more readily to achieve their own perfection" (Mater et Magistra, 65).

It is the role of government to structure society, including the economy, in ways that promote and ensure justice.

Another key principle is the universal purpose of goods, which means that the goods of the world are meant for all. The right to private property is a fundamental human right but it is not absolute and untouchable. It does not rate alongside the principle that goods are meant for everyone.

A fourth principle is the option for the poor. This principle insists that we stand with the poor and oppressed since we encounter Christ Himself in the poor and the outcast.

Christ asked us to listen to the poor in a special way and to walk in their shoes. The Christian community should stand side-by-side with the victims of injustice as part of its continuing mission through history to serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Assessment of WorkChoices legislation
We must assess the justice of WorkChoices legislation on how it matches up with these principles. As Catholics and citizens, we cannot idly stand by to see any member of our society disadvantaged by any unjust legislation.

The question is being asked of us: What can we do?

We cannot get away with some vague compassion, or a shallow distress over misfortune. We need to be determined to commit ourselves to the common good: to fight for basic human rights, greater equality and distribution of goods and services; to help create a society where wealth and power are not the preserve of a few at the top of the pyramid.

For a fully referenced version of this text click here.

Bishop Kevin Manning,
Bishop of Parramatta.