Social Justice

and the Catechist

OVERVIEW

Action on behalf of justice is not an option for Christians but an essential aspect of the Gospel

message as well as a basis for morality in the Hebrew Scriptures. Social justice is rooted in the

dignity of the human person and the conditions necessary for maintaining that dignity. Charity

and justice are complementary dimensions of the Church's social ministry. Social analysis is an

important skill to be learned if we are to act for justice' sake. Catechists can build on children's

innate hunger for fairness to teach the concepts of justice and peace.

OBJECTIVES

1. To become familiar with the Church's basic principles of social teaching and their origins

in Scripture.

2. To recognize the distinction between justice and charity.

3. To develop the ability to analyze social

and cultural realities and develop responses to situations of injustice in the culture.

AIMS

1. The participants will be able to see life in today's culture with the eyes of the poor and marginal in society.

2. The participants will be able to discuss the basic principles of the Church's social teaching

and apply them to circumstances in today's society.

3. The participants will be able to infuse peace and justice principles into their lesson planning.

Working with the Catechism

The following explores justice as it relates to the

Catechism of the Catholic Church.

From the Catechism

"The entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the

'new commandment' of Jesus, to love one another as he has loved us" (#1970).

Read the Catechism

Read #1949-#2029.

Discuss the Catechism

1. What is the correlation between the "new

commandment" and justice as we experience it?

2. What needs to be modified?