social justice statement

 

 

 

The 2008 Social Justice Statement

 

 

 

 

by Bruce Duncan CSsR

 

 

 

Yet the bishops' statement drew on a rich Catholic tradition of social thought that has deeply opposed the neoliberal economic philosophy and practices that resulted in the current crisis. The pity is that Catholics have not been more vigorous in articulating how the values of justice and solidarity might help reshape our economic world to allow everyone access to a decent standard of living in a sustainable way.

 

In his introduction to the statement, the chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome, emphasised the key points of Catholic social teaching: concern for the most vulnerable and building the 'common good'. The document urges the Church 'to consider how we can be the Good News to the poor', in light of the contrast between affluence and disadvantage in Australia.

 

The statement points up the contrast between the rising expectations of many well-off people, with holiday homes, overseas trips, luxury homes and cars, though often at the price of over-work, increased debt and pressure on family relationships; and the fact that millions of Australians still lack basic necessities.

 

The bishops plead for greater equity in the distribution of resources. They note that the income of the top 20 per cent of households is 10 times that of the bottom 20 per cent. Over 4.5 million 'Australians live in households whose gross income is less than $400 per week'. More than 2.2 million people live below the standard poverty line, including an estimated 412,000 children (p. 5, 8).

 

Rising housing costs have added extra strains, forcing home buyers into excessive debt and expelling others from home ownership altogether, at a time of acute housing shortages and high rents. The statement says that there are up to 100,000 evictions from rented property each year. In addition, some 100,000 are homeless, including 10,000 children under age 12. 'Each night, 14,000 people are sleeping rough' (p. 12).

 

Homelessness particularly affects people with mental health issues, many of whom have suffered as a result of the 1980s' deinstitutionalisation without sufficient supports. Gaols and remand centres are overcrowded, and former prisoners find it very difficult to secure affordable rental housing.

 

The bishops have spoken on many occasions of continuing areas of distress: unemployment remains stubbornly persistent for disadvantaged groups, and is highly concentrated in particular areas. Gambling remains a source of great hardship and harms many families. Indigenous people are the most disadvantaged group of all on practically every measure, in health, education, life expectancy, employment and poverty. Many single parents are also struggling.

 

Many refugees and asylum seekers have suffered greatly as a result of harsh Australian policies against them, including mandatory detention, even of children, sometimes for years. Many 'have been denied social security payments and services or the right to seek work, leaving them reliant on assistance from welfare agencies and charities'. Church and community groups have for years supported these people, organising temporary housing, medical and dental care and even food and clothing.

 

The bishops' statement welcomes the improvements by the new Commonwealth government to our treatment of asylum seekers, and looks forward to people being restored permanent protection, 'with all the entitlements related to health, welfare, education, work and family reunion' (p. 11).

 

The bishops conclude by calling for a 'Social Inclusion Board' to coordinate government policy aimed at addressing poverty more comprehensively.

The sudden financial meltdown puts these issues in quite a different context. We can no longer presume continued affluence on such a wide scale. But the shock of events is also an opportunity. Many people must be thinking what a chimera the restless search for wealth is, distracting us from more important values of friendship and practical solidarity with others.

 

Given the economic turmoil, the Gospel message becomes even more urgent. The stern sayings of Jesus about wealth spring to mind. Jesus was most severe in his warnings not to turn our eyes away from those in hunger or distress. In Matthew's Last Judgment scene, people ask: 'when did we see you hungry'. And God replies whenever you met a poor person in distress, that was God you saw.

 

Drawing from Jesus' story about the beggar, Lazarus, the social justice statement adds that 'the rich man is not condemned because of evildoing, but because he just did not notice the plight of the destitute man at his gate'. The bishops ask what changes we need to make so that all Australians can have their basic needs met. They stress that this is integral to our religious belief. 'For in welcoming the poor, the outcast and the stranger in need, we welcome the living Christ, our God and our Creator into our hearts and lives' (p.14).

 

The bishops see critical implications: 'The challenge ... is to see the face of the poor and oppressed in our society and to stand with them giving voice to their plight and working for change' (p. 6). They quote St Basil: '... the money you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit'.

 

No one quite knows how the world will muddle through the current crisis, but one thing is very clear: we need stronger commitments to rework policies to enhance social justice and greater equity in sharing good and resources.

 

After the Great Depression, western countries determined to support Keynesian economics and more equitable social policies. We need a similar revolution to embrace the whole world, including especially the developing countries, in ways suggested by the UN Millennium Development Goals. It is crucial we do this in ways that address issues of global warming and climate change. Catholic social traditions have much to offer such a great new global conversation.