Justicia In Mundo 3m2n31

Cardoniga, Clemeña, Taban-Ud

Sem 3

2- E/S

Justicia in Mundo

Justicia in Mundo is one of the Major Documents of Catholic Social Teaching, even though it is not a social encyclical or a Papal document. Bishops gathered all around the world gathered in Rome in 1971—the 1971 Synod of Bishops— in order to discuss amongst one another the different issues present and discern how the Catholic Church should react to the same. Said to be the first Catholic Social Teaching document to acknowledge that the Church must witness to justice in its own life in order to be credible when calling for justice in the world, it is also the shortest of the Major documents but holds the strongest influence on social involvement among Catholics, as expressly stated in its Introduction, “Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation.” The document has five sections, an Introduction, Justice and World Society, Gospel Message and Mission of Christ, Practice of Justice and the Word of Hope. Justice and the World Society introduced the modern paradox where while “never before the forces working for bringing about a unified world society appeared so powerful and dynamic,” at the same time, the same unity brought the forces of division and antagonism increasing in strength. It cited the arms race as a threat to life, the highest good; the economic injustices where the rich become richer and the poorer become poorer; and the lack of social participation. However, it is also in this same chapter which affirmed the right to development as a basic social life and calls for a culturally-sensitive modernization. It called out for the Church to speak on behalf of the voiceless—the persons who have been committed injustice against but feel that they cannot do anything about the same, like migrants, refugees, victims of torture and other human rights violations, among others. The section also emphasized the need to communicate with the youth, in order for these injustices to be corrected.

At times like these, the Synod need not look far in order for Justice to be achieved, the next section, Gospel Message and Mission of Christ looked into the scriptures for the solutions. It noted that the people needed to listen to the word of God in order for them to know the proper response when Injustice has been committed against them. The God of the Old Testament was the liberator of the oppressed and the defender of the poor; and Jesus gave himself of salvation and liberation of all whilst associating himself with the “least ones”. The preaching of the Gospel requires liberation of humanity in this world and that it is the Church’s duty to proclaim justice on all levels and promote dignity and rights of each human being. The Practice of Justice, according to the document, is called upon by the Church to many Christians that they may give authentic witness on behalf of justice by various modes of the same, with action inspired by love in accordance with the grace the received from God. Not only that, the Church must also give witness to justice as anyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Rights within the Church must be respected for all, especially women and the lay people, and these rights include a decent wage, security, promotion and freedom of thought and expression, judicial procedures, etc. In order for the Practice of Justice to come into fruition, there must be education in justice for all. Developing countries must aim to aim is to awaken awareness of the concrete situation and strategies and alternatives for change, and families must be the principal agent of this education. There must be an emphasis in the cooperation between churches in rich and poor nations is essential for economic and spiritual progress. The United Nations too, is called upon in order for Justice in the World to happen, and the document emphasized on the ratification on the Declaration of Human Rights. It also expressed the Church’s in the UN’s efforts to halt arms race, weapons trade, and reach peaceful conflict resolution. The other International Actions includes the Church’s call for the more participation in the concentration of power, the funding of reasonable document, the demand the wealthy nations be less materialistic, and that they cooperate with the developing ones. Finally, the Word of Hope speaks that Christians will find the Kingdom as the fruit of their nature and efforts; God is now preparing the Kingdom.

References: Justicia in Mundo, Justice in the World, World Synod of Catholic Bishops 1971. Accessed: https://www.cctwincities.org/wp-content/s/2015/10/Justicia-inMundo.pdf . 05 September 2016  https://educationforjustice.org/system/files/justiciainmundo.pdf .Accessed 05 September 2016