Alaska Proposal 2: Pure Social Justice

Non-Alaskan readers, this post is for you as well, so don't be scared off by the title. I use it simply as a means with which to illustrate my point.

What does it mean?

Social Justice. What in the world does it mean? If you asked 5 people you would get 6 definitions. Sure they would all more than likely be correct, but you wouldn't really have a solid answer... you would have a bunch of, well, opinions.

The term has become a hot topic in most modern parishes. The modernist Catholic front has used it as a battle cry. They use it in a way that hearkens to the action of Jesus, and His purpose here on earth. (I don't want to dive into the theological implications of that statement, but I think it is fair to explain it in those terms.) They make it hard to argue with their programs and projects, and although my purpose is not to deconstruct their causes in a theological way, I do want to point out an inconsistency. The problem isn't really with what they are doing, but more with what they aren't.

The Silent Scream

How many of you readers know of things at your parish that are done under the umbrella of Social Justice? Prison Ministry, "Option for the Poor", Environmental Ministry, etc... we see them all the time. All of them are completely valid ministries that the Church should be participating in, but not at the expense of other ministries. What exactly do I mean? I mean the Pro-Life ministry. I mean Child Catechism ministry. I mean Teen, Young Adult, and Family Ministries. We cannot be good stewards of the One True Church to others, if we are not first good stewards of ourselves.

The Archdiocese of Anchorage for example, has a good webpage that discusses these ministries on their web page dedicated to Catholic Social Teaching. The modern trend is unfortunately not so inclined to include the Pro-life battle as a ministry under the umbrella of Social Justice. I can't put my finger on exactly why that is the case. I will concede that in some parishes the Pro-Life ministry is so large and so strong, that it does take on a life of its own. This should be seen as a positive thing. At the other end of the spectrum are parishes that don't have a large Pro-Life ministry and don't include it in their Social Justice ministry either. This is what is perplexing and heart-wrenching.

Pro-Life as Social Justice...

Why isn't the Pro-Life battle seen as the penultimate Social Justice cause? This isn't to say that it is the most important in some hierarchical (read: funding priority) sense, but in a philosophical sense. When we see our parish from afar, what do we want to see? What are the big sparkling gems to we want to project to the world? Again, this is not to say that the ministries which Catholic Parishes participate aren't worthy. They are. In fact, they are crucial to a broad and authentic parish evangelism. Yet, included in that vision must be an active and vibrant Pro-Life ministry.

When we think of Social Justice we think of doing the work of Jesus in societal areas where the most defenseless and vulnerable of people exist. Where is that more prevalent than in the unborn child & mother relationship? I would argue that the unborn child & mother relationship is the most sacred social issue of our times. Therefore, it should be the focus and philosophical battle cry of the Catholic Social Justice movement.

The Link

The idea of Pro-Life work being Social Justice Ministry might seem a little tenuous to some, but I assure there is a link. You see, when we as Catholics decide to undertake some action in the name of ministry, we are saying something about our faith. Our action is part of a two-fold call to holiness. Ora et Labora ~ Work and Pray. Why then would we not include in our Social Justice ministry that are which is so symbolic and central to the anti-Christian secular world? Why does the Social Justice "worker" not champion the Pro-Life cause? (NB: I do not mean to say that all who work in the aim of Social Justice ignore the Pro-Life movement. I know I am using a very broad brush. My point, and I think a fair one, is that many (most?) parish Social Justice ministries do not engulf the Pro-Life cause under their banner.)

So the link, what is it? Well, my argument is that it isn't (a link), but that it should be. Let me explain that awkward sentence. The Link that should exist between all Social Justice causes in the ministry of Social Justice should be the Pro-Life battle. Why? Well, because at a very simple, but not overstated, level - life is the genesis of all other necessity. Therefore, every cause that falls under the banner of Social Justice ultimately has a Pro-Life component to it. The philosophy upon which the principles and teachings of the Faith rest in regards to Pro-Life ideas is ultimately the same set of philosophical precepts which guide other Catholic Social Justice. Pro-Life philosophy is the Why behind all the other causes championed by the Church.

We must demand that the Social Justice movement not ignore the important heart of Catholic Social Teaching. As parishioners in the Catholic Church we must require of our spiritual leaders, both lay and clergy, their desire and commitment to the Pro-Life battle. For true Social Justice we must include those in our society that are given no voice, no choice, and no justice. We must be consistent and philosophically sound in our desire for peace and justice. We must stand for innocent life... we must protect the unborn. Otherwise... what do we really stand for? What are we really trying to protect?

Alaska Proposal 2

In Alaska we will exhibit our belief in our commitment to this idea of Social Justice. Proposal 2, which is a parental notification measure, will be decided upon on August 24th, 2010. This issue should ring through the sanctuaries and bulletins of every single Catholic Church in Alaska over the next 7 days. Every priest, deacon, and lay leader should have YES ON 2 on the tip of their tongue. Ballot initiatives like this one are at the forefront of the Social Justice movement and should be treated as such. Rarely can a collective group more readily affect worldly change than through the ballot box. Unfortunately, we rarely see Social Justice issues on ballots. They usually are relegated to the courts and the editorial columns.

Here though, Alaskan Catholic Parishes have an opportunity to make their commitment to Social Justice readily apparent. This is a golden opportunity for all those that champion the causes of the meek, vulnerable, and disadvantaged to shine as advocates and warriors of the Catholic Faith. We must pray that those in positions of leadership and authority will rise to the occasion and show the world their commitment to Life and the dignity and sanctity of the teachings of Holy Mother Church.