By Gary Topping–
A Catholic friend of ours at Our Lady of the Lake parish in Seattle sent the following document which the parish is circulating among its members and asking them to reflect upon each point in Catholic social teaching and to submit a short (500 word) essay on one of the points that they are particularly interesting in living. I thought it was a remarkably concise and challenging summary which readers of The Boy Monk might also find meaningful.
Our Lady of the Lake Statement of Commitment and Action to
Living Catholic Social Teaching
Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, Our Lady of the Lake Parish affirms its commitment to bring these principles into every aspect of parish life. We will respect the dignity of every human being, strive for justice and peace among all people, and seek and serve God in all persons and in creation.
1. We
will go deeper in faith.
We will
strive to read, study, and live the words and actions of Jesus. We seek courage
and humility to listen and respond to the promptings of the Spirit.
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)
2. We will listen and respect all voices.
We will strive to actively listen and acknowledge each other’s stories, fears, hopes, and beliefs, even when we might disagree. We will work to foster dialogue to promote diversity and pluralism in our communities and world.
“Hear me, all of you, and try to understand.” (Mark 7:14)
3. We will lift up truth.
We will strive to replace fear with facts when it comes to public and private
discussions about immigrants, refugees, ethnic and religious groups, racial
diversity, and other related issues.
“Anyone committed to the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37)
4. We will live our belief that all people are made in
God’s image.
We will live our belief that all people are made in God’s image, affirm
diversity as a gift, blessing, and opportunity for our nation, and reject
racist, xenophobic, homophobic and religious prejudice.
“Anyone who says, ‘My love is fixed on God,’ yet hates another, is a liar.” (1 John 4:20)
5. We will welcome the stranger.
We will advocate for immigrants, refugees and asyless and their families, reject mass deportations of immigrants in our communities, and seek a comprehensive and humane national immigration policy. We will work to bring those here out of the shadows of fear to places of sanctuary and safety.
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
6. We will exercise the preferential option for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized.
We will work to alleviate poverty, homelessness, and mass incarceration, and support and protect the marginalized and most vulnerable in life. We will foster a culture that supports and honors all life, God’s greatest gift to us, from conception to natural death.
“Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours.” (Luke 6:20)
7. We will value and honor women.
We will work to replace misogyny with mutual respect. We name sexual harassment and sexual assault a sin and a crime. We will pursue gender fairness and equality in our Church, homes, workplaces, schools, communities and political systems. We will promote positions of leadership for women in our Church.
“God who is mighty has done great things for me.” (Luke 1:49)
8. We will nurture family.
We will honor and support the family in all its forms and will strive to further policies that keep families intact, nurtured and valued in our country and in the world.
“Go home to your family and make it clear how much God in his mercy has done for you.” (Mark 5:19)
9. We will support workers.
We will support the right of productive work for all people, including a fair, safe, and inclusive workplace, a living wage, and the right to organize.
“Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me.” (Matthew 11:29
10. We will protect our environment.
As stewards of creation, we will work to preserve and protect the Earth from
climate change. We will advocate for the poor and marginalized who bear the
brunt of environmental devastation and injustice.
“Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow.” (Matthew 6:28)
11. We will work to realize God’s peace in the world.
Christ calls us to be peacemakers. We will reject war and all forms of physical, psychological, emotional, and cultural violence, abuse, and neglect. We will seek toreduce gun violence and disarm weapons of mass destruction and work towards merciful, fair, and effective solutions that preserve life and promote justice. When we protest in our streets, schools or workplaces, it will be with dignity, discipline, and non-violence.
“Peace is my farewell to you; my peace is my gift to you.” (John 14:27)
We make these commitments to you and with you, oh God, as a sign of our faith, hope and love. We ask you to give us strength, wisdom and the means to fulfill our commitments.
“Each of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it.” (Ephesians 4:7)
