(Charity in Truth)

Sister Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican

The new encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate" released from the Vatican on July 7^th calls us beyond our own personal issues and concerns to a global perspectives and concern about issues such as economics, politics and greater ecological awareness. The document reminds us to look beyond our own local concerns to the well-being of the millions that lack basic needs like food, water and shelter, and also calls us to social responsibility for the sake of generations yet to come.

Pope Benedict also declares in the Encyclical that "the whole church in all her being and acting – when she proclaims, when she celebrates, when she performs works of charity, is engaged in promoting integral human development, which concerns every dimension of the human person." We have many situations in this time that illustrate this, such as the economic crisis, the environmental destruction, mass migration, lack of food and water for millions and in the US, the need for health care for all and endless wars that only lead to more violence and take needed resources away from our responses to basic human needs.

When we listen to the news, we need to consider the ethical and moral implications of what we see and hear. It implies that economics at all levels must be governed by ethical principles since it affects so many lives. We cannot have charity without justice which is the basis of charity. This calls for fair trade, respect for workers, a more equitable distribution of wealth, concern for the human development of all people and concern for the common good. In addition, care for the earth and all our natural resources are also a requirement.

We are called to reexamine our consumerism and materialism as a way of life and, at a national and international level, the use militarism and violence as a way of solving problems The world’s richest nations are called to share more of their resources with the poorest around the world and empower them to access and use their resources for their own well-being. The encyclical condemns corruption in economics, the exploitation of workers and destruction of the environment. We also need to find peaceful ways of solving national and international problems and divert the money spent on militarism and violence toward human development for all people. When we talk of being pro-life, it means being pro-life for all people – at every age and stage. Health care for all in the US is a moral obligation, not a political game that people play to retain their own power and influence. The infant mortality rate among the uninsured is 25% higher than in the population that has access to health care. Human trafficking both nationally and globally is another example of the need for a consistent life ethic.

What can people of faith do to take the encyclical seriously and begin to implement it? Pick one or two of the following.

As the popular song goes: "Let us build the city of God" and begin today with courage and hope.