Labor Unions & Social Justice

Public employee labor unions have recently been in front of the public eye, with the situation in Madison, Wisconsin playing out in the news, and the criticisms of teachers unions addressed in the movie, "Waiting for Superman." With that in mind, the US bishops recently talked about labor unions. In their statement, they reiterated the Church's long-standing support for the rights of workers to organize, which the Church has always taught to be a basic human right. 
       In addition, the bishops also pointed out that the current financial difficulties faced by governments across the country defy easy-fix solutions. Thus, they call on governments and workers to word together for the common good. They also called on the members of unions to make sacrifices in order to adjust to the new economic realities.
       For the complete story, go to www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1100999.htm. 
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 
 

Advocating for Social Justice

This is the time of year that Congress and many state legislatures are beginning their work for the year. As a result, many Catholic groups are now ramping up their lobbying efforts. 
       If you haven't already been asked, chances are that you will soon be asked to contact your members of Congress or state legislators about one or more pieces of legislation regarding our Catholic social teaching. It is best to pay most attention to such requests if they come from your local bishop or the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) — you can be assured that the issues they advocate are truly in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. 
       If you get requests from other organizations that claim to be Catholic, please check them out thoroughly. The USCCB has information on their web site (www.usccb.org) about all the positions they take on legislation, and most bishops do, as well. If in doubt, do not hesitate to call the office of your local bishop and ask about his position on particular issues. It will make you more informed as you contact your legislators.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 

Economic Life & Social Justice (part 5)

The seventh and eighth principles of A Catholic Framework for Economic Life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife) declares the checks and balances that are necessary between the free market, voluntary groups, and the government:

• Principle 7. In economic life, free markets have both clear advantages and limits; government has essential responsibilities and limitations; voluntary groups have irreplaceable roles, but cannot substitute for the proper working of the market and the just policies of the state.
• Principle 8. Society has a moral obligation, including governmental action where necessary, to assure opportunity, meet basic human needs, and pursue justice in economic life.

Principle 7 makes the case that all parties with economic interests have roles to play, and Principle 8 speaks specifically to he important role that we as a society should be asking our government to play in assuring a just and compassionate society.
        An exercise for this week: Consider the news this week. Ask yourself, "Are our leaders’ actions benefiting everyone, including families, workers, and the most vulnerable among us?" If not, pick one elected leader and write to them about your feelings.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

Economic Life & Social Justice (part 1)

One very important part of Catholic social teaching is the Church's teaching on economic life (i.e., how a society organizes its financial resources). The Church teaches that all economic life should be shaped by moral principles. The social justice principals of life and dignity of the human person, concern for the common good, and support for the family are key to evaluating economic choices and institutions. 
       In November 1996, the US bishops produced a document called A Catholic Framework for Economic Life. In it, they outline ten important principals to help Catholics reflect on the values that should inform our consciences as we participate in economic life. Even though that document is over thirteen years old, the principals are timeless and can offer great guidance in our current economic situation in the US.
       For more information, including Catholic Framework document, some reflection questions, links to downloadable documents, and podcasts), check out the USCCB web page at www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife/.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
   

Lotteries & Social Justice

As state budgets get tighter, legislatures and governors are often tempted to expand state-sponsored lotteries and other forms of gambling in order to raise revenues. Their rationale is that it is not a tax, that people who pay into state-sponsored gambling schemes are doing so voluntarily and with the knowledge that only about half the proceeds go to winners and the other half going into the state's bank account. Since it is voluntary, it is a politically favored way to raise government revenues

       Yet, the lure of big payouts is more enticing for people who earn the least amount of money, making it problematic from a social justice point of view. (Think about it: why would someone who is already worth a few million dollars pay anything for the chance to be worth a few million more? Thus, the wealthy who can afford a few more dollars in tax payments each week do not "volunteer" as lottery players.) Many studies have shown that lower-income persons on average spend a higher percentage of their income on lottery tickets than middle-income or upper-income persons. The net result is that lotteries become a sort of regressive tax, taking a higher percentage from the poor than others.
       Although there are many other reasons against state lotteries, the regressive nature of the "take" is most clearly against Catholic social teaching of option for the poor and vulnerable.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.