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Christian Social Responsibility in a Post-Katrina City
Christian Social Responsibility in a Post-Katrina City
Edward B. Arroyo, S.J.Based largely on the thought of the late Richard McCormick, S.J.
Edward B. Arroyo, S.J.Based largely on the thought of the late Richard McCormick, S.J.
A City on the Banks of a RiverA City on the Banks of a River
At first all was well Then
Physical ailments More and more sickness, among plants and
animals too Even the fish got sick It got so serious, it seemed nothing could help
At first all was well Then
Physical ailments More and more sickness, among plants and
animals too Even the fish got sick It got so serious, it seemed nothing could help
A City on the Banks of a RiverA City on the Banks of a RiverThe people met to discuss their options, and asked:
1. What steps would I personally think about taking?2. How far would I be willing to go toward discovering the
root(s) of the problem?3. How far would I be willing to go toward changing these root(s)
in order to alleviate the problem?4. What are some societal problems in our country or world that
are similar to the one portrayed in this story?5. What does our Christian faith tell us about these problems?6. Which of these societal problems could God be calling us to
address?
The people met to discuss their options, and asked: 1. What steps would I personally think about taking?2. How far would I be willing to go toward discovering the
root(s) of the problem?3. How far would I be willing to go toward changing these root(s)
in order to alleviate the problem?4. What are some societal problems in our country or world that
are similar to the one portrayed in this story?5. What does our Christian faith tell us about these problems?6. Which of these societal problems could God be calling us to
address?
A City on the Banks of a RiverA City on the Banks of a River
Tonight, my friends, we are those people in such a city!
We ask ourselves:
1. What is our Christian Social Responsibility?
2. What can I do?
3. What can we do?
Tonight, my friends, we are those people in such a city!
We ask ourselves:
1. What is our Christian Social Responsibility?
2. What can I do?
3. What can we do?
3000+ Years of Biblical Justice Teaching
3000+ Years of Biblical Justice Teaching
Social CovenantProphetic ChallengePoor, Widows, Orphans, Strangers
Social CovenantProphetic ChallengePoor, Widows, Orphans, Strangers
2000 Years of Christian Justice Teaching
2000 Years of Christian Justice Teaching
Good news to the poor Release of the captives Freedom for the oppressed What you do for the least…
Good news to the poor Release of the captives Freedom for the oppressed What you do for the least…
2000 years of Christians committed to social discipleship
2000 years of Christians committed to social discipleship
Saints in service of neighbor, such as Vincent de Paul Peter Claver
Others closer to home, such as Katherine Drexel Henriette de Lille
Saints in service of neighbor, such as Vincent de Paul Peter Claver
Others closer to home, such as Katherine Drexel Henriette de Lille
117 Years of more specific Catholic Social
Teaching
117 Years of more specific Catholic Social
Teaching
1891: Rerum Novarum2008?
1891: Rerum Novarum2008?
110+ years of Catholic Social Thought
110+ years of Catholic Social Thought
1891 Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII)-Workers 1931 Quadragesimo Anno (Pius XI)-Subsidiarity 1961 Mater et Magistra (John XXIII)-Socialization 1963 Pacem in Terris (John XXIII)-Rights 1965 CHURCH/MODERN WORLD (Vat II)
-Responsibility in this world 1967 Populorum Progressio (Paul VI)-Development 1971 Octogesima Adveniens (Paul VI)-Political Action
1891 Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII)-Workers 1931 Quadragesimo Anno (Pius XI)-Subsidiarity 1961 Mater et Magistra (John XXIII)-Socialization 1963 Pacem in Terris (John XXIII)-Rights 1965 CHURCH/MODERN WORLD (Vat II)
-Responsibility in this world 1967 Populorum Progressio (Paul VI)-Development 1971 Octogesima Adveniens (Paul VI)-Political Action
110+ years of Catholic Social Thought
110+ years of Catholic Social Thought
1971 JUSTICE IN THE WORLD (Synod II) -Justice and Love
1975 Evangelii Nuntiandi (Paul VI)-Liberation 1981 Laborem Exercens (John Paul II)-Work 1983 CHALLENGE OF PEACE (US)-Arms 1986 ECONOMIC JUSTICE (US)-Pref Option 1987 Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (John Paul II)
-Solidarity 1991 Centesimus Annus (John Paul II)-Market
1971 JUSTICE IN THE WORLD (Synod II) -Justice and Love
1975 Evangelii Nuntiandi (Paul VI)-Liberation 1981 Laborem Exercens (John Paul II)-Work 1983 CHALLENGE OF PEACE (US)-Arms 1986 ECONOMIC JUSTICE (US)-Pref Option 1987 Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (John Paul II)
-Solidarity 1991 Centesimus Annus (John Paul II)-Market
What’s missing?What more is needed?
What’s missing?What more is needed?
A Call to ActionPersonal ResponsibilityEffective Action
A Call to ActionPersonal ResponsibilityEffective Action
Why so ineffective?Why so ineffective?
We have socially dormant consciences A Big Gap between
Articulated Christianity -- What we say
Lived Christianity -- What we do
We have socially dormant consciences A Big Gap between
Articulated Christianity -- What we say
Lived Christianity -- What we do
Social ParalysisSocial Paralysis
We imagine this means challenging changes in our lives
We think: “I can’t do that.” We don’t feel free enough
We imagine this means challenging changes in our lives
We think: “I can’t do that.” We don’t feel free enough
The Dormant Social Conscience, based on:
The Dormant Social Conscience, based on:
Ignorance InadequacyApathy
Ignorance InadequacyApathy
Ignorance, rooted inIgnorance, rooted in
Dualistic Mentality: Discontinuities:
This world / Other worldPiety / Practice
Dualistic Mentality: Discontinuities:
This world / Other worldPiety / Practice
Ignorance, rooted inIgnorance, rooted in
Individualism Solely one on one relationships Charity, but not justice
Individualism Solely one on one relationships Charity, but not justice
Dualism+
Separatism+
Individualism=
Inadequacy &Hopelessness & Apathy
Dualism+
Separatism+
Individualism=
Inadequacy &Hopelessness & Apathy
Creating a Socially Sensitive Conscience:
Creating a Socially Sensitive Conscience:
Against Apathy Feeling Right
Against Ignorance Thinking Right
Against Inadequacy Acting Right
Against Apathy Feeling Right
Against Ignorance Thinking Right
Against Inadequacy Acting Right
Feeling RightFeeling Right
Sensitivity to other’s hurtWe need passion, not just
cerebral analysisPassion > Compassion
Sensitivity to other’s hurtWe need passion, not just
cerebral analysisPassion > Compassion
Feeling RightFeeling Right
Increasing challenge in modern, media-driven world
Mediated “news” chips away at our moral horror
Increasing challenge in modern, media-driven world
Mediated “news” chips away at our moral horror
Feeling RightFeeling Right
The feeling is vanishing from our culture Don’t want to get involved Not in my back yard
The feeling is vanishing from our culture Don’t want to get involved Not in my back yard
How to “Feel Right”How to “Feel Right”
Experience injustice, see itBeginning of Christian social
wisdom, compassion passion
Experience injustice, see itBeginning of Christian social
wisdom, compassion passion
What are some of your feelings about your recent post-Katrina
New Orleans experience?
What are some of your feelings about your recent post-Katrina
New Orleans experience?
Draw the circle as shown. Then write in the four main feelings you identify in yourself
right here-and-now. Then, outside the circle, write down the source of those feelings.
Feeling Feeling
Feeling Feeling
Why? Why?
Why?Why?
Once you have identified your feelings and their sources you can then bring this to
prayer or talk it over with someone.
Here-and-Now WheelHere-and-Now Wheel
What are some of the feelings surfaced in your groups?
What are some of the feelings surfaced in your groups?
What are some of the sources of these feelings surfaced in your
groups?
What are some of the sources of these feelings surfaced in your
groups?
Creating a Socially Sensitive Conscience:
Creating a Socially Sensitive Conscience:
Against Apathy Feeling Right
Against Ignorance Thinking Right
Against Inadequacy Acting Right
Against Apathy Feeling Right
Against Ignorance Thinking Right
Against Inadequacy Acting Right
Thinking RightThinking Right
Correcting separatism and individualism Liberation Theology can help Liberation already but not yet complete
Correcting separatism and individualism Liberation Theology can help Liberation already but not yet complete
Thinking Right1 about ChristThinking Right1 about Christ
Jesus Christ: our Supreme Liberator (Paul VI)Freedom from sin and deathLiberation into the fullness of humanity
Jesus Christ: our Supreme Liberator (Paul VI)Freedom from sin and deathLiberation into the fullness of humanity
Thinking Right2about moral evilThinking Right2about moral evil
Selfish bondage to personal sinBut also its effects
Institutions which oppress, alienate
Selfish bondage to personal sinBut also its effects
Institutions which oppress, alienate
Thinking Right3 about freedomThinking Right3 about freedom
Christian Freedom from selfish bondage to personal sin
But also freedom from the structures, institutional patterns which oppress, alienate
Freedom from AND freedom for.
Christian Freedom from selfish bondage to personal sin
But also freedom from the structures, institutional patterns which oppress, alienate
Freedom from AND freedom for.
Thinking Right4 about the Church, a sign of Liberation
today
Thinking Right4 about the Church, a sign of Liberation
today Church’s role in liberating from
enslavement,Personal Institutional
Church’s role in liberating from enslavement,Personal Institutional
Thinking Right5 theologicallyThinking Right5 theologically
About social sinAbout Christ the liberatorAbout social liberationAbout the church
About social sinAbout Christ the liberatorAbout social liberationAbout the church
Thinking Right: correcting exaggerated IndividualismThinking Right: correcting exaggerated Individualism
Beyond any individual’s “fault,’ social sources of enslavement:Structural Institutional
Beyond any individual’s “fault,’ social sources of enslavement:Structural Institutional
Thinking right about two types of enslaving or liberating structuresThinking right about two types of enslaving or liberating structures Operational = Concrete patterns
of behavior Ideological = Value systems
behind, underneath, guiding the operation
Operational = Concrete patterns of behavior
Ideological = Value systems behind, underneath, guiding the operation
Thinking Right about Operational StructuresThinking Right about Operational Structures
Political Economic Social Familial Religious
Political Economic Social Familial Religious
What institutions influenced the human disaster Katrina? How?What institutions influenced the human disaster Katrina? How?
Neighborhoods? Families? Schools? Health care? Politics? Government The Economy? Churches?
Neighborhoods? Families? Schools? Health care? Politics? Government The Economy? Churches?
Thinking Right about Ideological Structures
Thinking Right about Ideological Structures
Inhuman value systems, “isms” for example: Materialism: things > persons Totalitarianism: power > participation Authoritarianism: control > service
Inhuman value systems, “isms” for example: Materialism: things > persons Totalitarianism: power > participation Authoritarianism: control > service
Other values become subordinateOther values become subordinate
Human life, dignity, rights? Family and Community? Dignity of work, rights of workers? Option for the poor? Care for God’s creation Solidarity and Common Good?
Human life, dignity, rights? Family and Community? Dignity of work, rights of workers? Option for the poor? Care for God’s creation Solidarity and Common Good?
Creating a Socially Sensitive Conscience:
Creating a Socially Sensitive Conscience:
Against Apathy Feeling Right
Against Ignorance Thinking Right
Against Inadequacy Acting Right
Against Apathy Feeling Right
Against Ignorance Thinking Right
Against Inadequacy Acting Right
Acting RightActing Right
Social responsibility involves getting to the sources of injustice, influencing institutions such as : Government Community Non Governmental Organizations Business Policy decision makers
Social responsibility involves getting to the sources of injustice, influencing institutions such as : Government Community Non Governmental Organizations Business Policy decision makers
Power important for acting rightPower important for acting right
Personal Power Collective Power Political Power Intermediate Organizational power
Personal Power Collective Power Political Power Intermediate Organizational power
No neat formulasNo neat formulas
Christianity doesn’t tell us what to do in the face of structural injustice, experience does.
Need Corporate effort.
Christianity doesn’t tell us what to do in the face of structural injustice, experience does.
Need Corporate effort.
QualitiesQualities
Participatory Willingness to enter a process Listening, experimental approach Patience
Participatory Willingness to enter a process Listening, experimental approach Patience
Changing structures:Changing structures:
Changing minds Changing hearts Changing beliefs and values Takes time Takes collaboration Takes patience, endurance
Changing minds Changing hearts Changing beliefs and values Takes time Takes collaboration Takes patience, endurance
No surer way for enslaving structures to thrive than for good people to make only
short term efforts
No surer way for enslaving structures to thrive than for good people to make only
short term efforts
People who hope against hopePeople who hope against hope
Christ urging us to Feel rightThink rightAct rightTo be socially responsible.
Christ urging us to Feel rightThink rightAct rightTo be socially responsible.
People who hope against hopePeople who hope against hope
Patterned on the life / death of Jesus It is Christ urging the coming of his
kingdom,
Patterned on the life / death of Jesus It is Christ urging the coming of his
kingdom,
We can now ask ourselves?We can now ask ourselves?
Do I have a dormant social conscience, or am I becoming more socially awake?
What can I/we do to Feel right? Think right? Act right?
Do I have a dormant social conscience, or am I becoming more socially awake?
What can I/we do to Feel right? Think right? Act right?
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
What are my FEELINGS about the experience of the poor? (Anger? Apathy? Guilt? Compassion? Hope? Boredom? Resistance? etc.) Are there any specific social issues behind people’s troubles which may trigger these feelings?
What are my FEELINGS about the experience of the poor? (Anger? Apathy? Guilt? Compassion? Hope? Boredom? Resistance? etc.) Are there any specific social issues behind people’s troubles which may trigger these feelings?
SOCIAL ANALYSIS SOCIAL ANALYSIS
What do I THINK about the experiences and feelings? Are my feelings appropriate? What do they tell me? What might be some of the root causes behind some of the troubles experienced by the poor? What social structures, institutions are involved? Are there any historical roots to their situation? Is there one issue among the many which I think is at the root?
What do I THINK about the experiences and feelings? Are my feelings appropriate? What do they tell me? What might be some of the root causes behind some of the troubles experienced by the poor? What social structures, institutions are involved? Are there any historical roots to their situation? Is there one issue among the many which I think is at the root?
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
How do my feelings and thinking relate to the values and biases of the Bible, Jesus, the Gospel, the Christian Tradition?
How do my feelings and thinking relate to the values and biases of the Bible, Jesus, the Gospel, the Christian Tradition?
ACTION PLANNINGACTION PLANNING
1. How can I ACT right on the bases of my experiences and reflection upon them?
2. What power do I have?
3. How can I build this up through collaboration with others?
4. What public policies might have a beneficial effect upon the issues and people’s troubles?
1. How can I ACT right on the bases of my experiences and reflection upon them?
2. What power do I have?
3. How can I build this up through collaboration with others?
4. What public policies might have a beneficial effect upon the issues and people’s troubles?
