Justice in the World
World Synod of Catholic Bishops, 1971
(This is an attempt to explain the document from the vantage point of a layman and apply it to the social, cultural, political, economic, and religious situations of the Filipino People - WN)
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Summary:In 1971, the Roman Synod of bishops gathered and came up with “Justice in the world”. Its main function is consultative. Bishops tackled global issues affecting the world which is important in the church’s involvement. The article has three main parts: Justice in the world society, Gospel Message and Mission of the church, and practice of Justice. Based on deliberation and judgment, action on behalf of justice is essential for the promotion of justice and preaching the gospel especially in the present world where domination and oppression and injustice stifle freedom and which keep the greater part of humanity from sharing in the building up and enjoyment of more just and loving world. In addition, sin is no longer personal but also social ; therefore there is great need to liberate the world from oppression.
Action for justices not optional nor is it incidental. The world in which the church lives recognizes that there is unity founded on equality and dignity but there are forces that divide the people. These forces include arms race, concentration of wealth and power determining their own destiny which is also at the heart of structural injustice in the world. Economic injustice and lack of social participation prohibit the people from attaining basic human and civil rights. And the reasons attributed to the failure of development are rural stagnation, lack of agrarian reform, and massive migration to the cities. The article present two ways to ensure development: economic growth and participation. In the social world, determined will asserts itself for forms of claiming one’s rights and self-expression. The victims of injustice include those who have no opportunity to participate and those have no opportunity to determine their own destiny. Although the article failed to specify the action we should do, determine will for progress by developing people will authentically manifest their personalization. |
Historical Note:
1. Late in 1971 the Synod of Bishops, having met in Rome, issued a document entitled “Justice in the World.” Though relatively brief, it is one of the most important statements on Social justice ever issued by Rome, not from the Pope but from the Bishops.
2. A few months after Pope Paul VI issued Octogesima Adveniens the question of social justice came to the fore once again in Rome. The occasion was the Synod of Bishops that took place there in 1971. At the Synod, Church leaders from Latin America had the opportunity to engage in formal dialogue on the theme of justice with bishops from the Universal Church and with members of the Vatican Curia.
Preliminaries:
1. “Justice in the World” (JW) is perhaps the clearest and most forthright statement on justice ever to have come from Rome. It can be seen as a positive response to the stance taken by the Latin Americans at Medellin. The document contains a fundamental statement about the relationship between Christian faith and action for justice.
2. This document begins from the real situation in the world, in order to discern there “the signs of the times,” the specific ways in which God is speaking to today’s world and calling people to respond.
Introduction:
1. Every three years all the Catholic Bishops in the world meet in Rome in order to address a global and major social issue. This gathering is called the Roman Synod of Bishops.
2. JW has threefold significance, namely: Justice is essential to the Christian Faith, New Concept of Sin, and Social sin is not only local or national but also International.
3. JW has three Main Parts, namely: Justice and World Society, Gospel Message and the Mission of the Church, and Practice of Justice
2. A few months after Pope Paul VI issued Octogesima Adveniens the question of social justice came to the fore once again in Rome. The occasion was the Synod of Bishops that took place there in 1971. At the Synod, Church leaders from Latin America had the opportunity to engage in formal dialogue on the theme of justice with bishops from the Universal Church and with members of the Vatican Curia.
Preliminaries:
1. “Justice in the World” (JW) is perhaps the clearest and most forthright statement on justice ever to have come from Rome. It can be seen as a positive response to the stance taken by the Latin Americans at Medellin. The document contains a fundamental statement about the relationship between Christian faith and action for justice.
2. This document begins from the real situation in the world, in order to discern there “the signs of the times,” the specific ways in which God is speaking to today’s world and calling people to respond.
Introduction:
1. Every three years all the Catholic Bishops in the world meet in Rome in order to address a global and major social issue. This gathering is called the Roman Synod of Bishops.
2. JW has threefold significance, namely: Justice is essential to the Christian Faith, New Concept of Sin, and Social sin is not only local or national but also International.
3. JW has three Main Parts, namely: Justice and World Society, Gospel Message and the Mission of the Church, and Practice of Justice