The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn…
Isaiah 61:1-2

The Church believes that actions to promote social justice are necessary at all levels in society.

Throughout its history, Catholic Tradition has consistently promoted care for the vulnerable and a preferential option for the poor. Pope Paul VI challenges the Church directly in this call to action in his Apostolic Letter ‘Octogesima Adveniens’ when he says: It is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point to crying injustice and utter prophetic denunciations; these words will lack real weight unless they are accompanied for each individual by a livelier awareness of personal responsibility and by effective action. It is too easy to throw back on others responsibility for injustice, if at the same time one does not realise how each one shares in it personally, and how personal conversion is needed first.
(OA, sec. 48).

While social action is an intrinsic part of our faith and gospel imperative, it is important to remember here, that Catholics legitimately hold different views on many issues. Indeed, the nuance of Catholic teaching changes over time and its application may depend on a number of factors. The extent to which it is felt that problems of social justice should be addressed by local and national governments, the international community, by civil society organisations, the Catholic Church’s own charities and by individuals will depend on different circumstances and prudent judgement. That is why Catholics differ on public policy issues and that Catholics can be found in all major political parties. The fact that they differ on issues does not reduce our responsibility to act. We all have a duty to participate in debate and enrich that debate with our Catholic social justice perspective and lived experience.

Social action takes many forms from engaging with your MP or MS to volunteering for a charity or befriending the lonely in your neighbourhood. It does not need to be complicated.

In the Bible, social action starts with how we see the world and our response to those in need, as individuals and as communities. This idea of shared responsibility runs throughout the Old and New Testaments and is why the Catholic Church has always placed social action at the heart of its mission. In Matthew’s Gospel (25:31-46) Jesus gives a sermon on the Last Judgement. He compares people with sheep and goats who will be separated at the end time by how they cared for other people.

Jesus says: “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

These merciful acts are to be performed not just for the sake of charity, but to deepen one’s faith by imitating Christ and his teachings.

Known in the Catechism as the ‘Seven Corporal Works of Mercy’ they are:

1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give water to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To shelter the homeless.
5. To visit the sick.
6. To visit those in prison.
7. To bury the dead.

Some of these acts are also mentioned in the Book of Isaiah 58: 7-10 but the seventh act of burying the dead is found only in the Book of Tobit and not in Matthew’s gospel. It was added to the list during the Middle Ages.

In Pope John Paull II’s encyclical “Dives in misericordia” written in 1980 he states that: “Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called ‘to practice mercy’ towards others.”

We can all make a difference to the world regardless of our education, employment or vocation. We do not need to be academically qualified in politics or economics to hold valid opinions on social justice issues or to take social action. Do not forget that engagement with decision makers is available to people of all ages and political affiliations. You do not need to be of voting age or to share the political views of your MP/MS in order to contact them. They represent you, no matter your age or your political affiliation.

Getting Started

You have heard of a new council or government initiative and can see the potential implications for family life; you have noticed a particular social issue within your community; or you are concerned about the impact of poverty on families across the world – you want to get involved but how do you go about it?

Here are 7 steps you can take:

1. Identify the issue and get a group together
2. Research and analyse the issue
3. Identify potential solutions or ways of managing the issue
4. Decide what message about the issue you want to get across
5. Identify who needs to hear your message; and who you need to influence
6. Decide how you will get your message across
7. Create prayer resources and prayer events

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