332. Social charity is the practical hallmark of a Christian.

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 332

Ave Maria series

How is the solidarity of Christians with other people expressed?

Christians are committed to just societal structures.  Part of this is universal access to the material, intellectual, and spiritual goods of this world.  Christians also make sure that the dignity of human work is respected, which includes a just wage.  Handing on the faith is also an act of solidarity with all mankind.  [1939-1942, 1948]

Baptism eradicates all sin, infuses us with the divine life and makes us adopted children of God. 

Solidarity is the practical hallmark of a Christian.  Practicing solidarity is not just a command of reason.  Jesus Christ, our Lord, identified completely with the poor and the lowly (Matthew 25:40).  To refuse solidarity with them would be to reject Christ.

Principles of Solidarity (from Latin solidus=thick, firm, strong): a principle of Catholic social teaching that aims at strengthening community and promoting a “civilization of love” (Pope John Paul II).

[1939-1942, 1948]

HUMAN SOLIDARITY

1939 The principle of solidarity, also articulated in terms of "friendship" or "social charity," is a direct demand of human and Christian brotherhood.(Compare John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 38-40; CA 10.)⁴⁵ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

An error, "today abundantly widespread, is disregard for the law of human solidarity and charity, dictated and imposed both by our common origin and by the equality in rational nature of all men, whatever nation they belong to. This law is sealed by the sacrifice of redemption offered by Jesus Christ on the altar of the Cross to his heavenly Father, on behalf of sinful humanity."(Pius XII, Summi pontificatus,October 20, 1939; Acta Apostolicae Sedis 31 (1939) 423 ff.)⁴⁶ –CCC

1940 Solidarity is manifested in the first place by the distribution of goods and remuneration for work. It also presupposes the effort for a more just social order where tensions are better able to be reduced and conflicts more readily settled by negotiation. –CCC

1941 Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves, between employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and peoples. International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace depends in part upon this. –CCC

1942 The virtue of solidarity goes beyond material goods. In spreading the spiritual goods of the faith, the Church has promoted, and often opened new paths for, the development of temporal goods as well. And so throughout the centuries has the Lord's saying been verified: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well"(Matthew 6:33.)⁴⁷ –CCC

For two thousand years this sentiment has lived and endured in the soul of the Church, impelling souls then and now to the heroic charity of monastic farmers, liberators of slaves, healers of the sick, and messengers of faith, civilization, and science to all generations and all peoples for the sake of creating the social conditions capable of offering to everyone possible a life worthy of man and of a Christian.(Pius XII, Discourse, June 1, 1941.)⁴⁸–CCC

IN BRIEF

1948 Solidarity is an eminently Christian virtue. It practices the sharing of spiritual goods even more than material ones. –CCC

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