I

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Thsftole ofthe Church in [conomim

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GtgFltallsts fln:t lt yertr prof- mall

First Principle: \7ork rspr

not man for work. Man is
aJ-

on the digniry of work, citizeni lCain

sociery's

P
t$

Sfieltuelness, ln the Frocess are only man's allies drat make his tlfrourlng,so mqtrli worlrers work easier and less redious and cut"of;'$iet? IeE_ helps him make bemer and nobler
Howener, since mac,hineries arc.ost-ci$rcicnt morr prcducdve and profitable, they can throw worlrers out of jobs. And because machines can do sophisticated rhinp, r*'orkers left in rhe jobs are reduced ro mere sursrrlesons, limiced ro dull and prosaic chores (LE /9J. Technol-

ltut8lsta.brlng mschlnes to

rvays rhe pulpose

ofwork Machines

to cherish work, and to labor for UUorh becomes cm ocetEsl&r?

well being. When work is

to

&irgr.

done in common and its burdens and joys are shared together, work unites tfrfng fer the minds and heans ofpeople.'Work becomes an occasion to be widr others anC a commitrrcnt to do something for o*rers (CA, 3l). Work thcn is an insmrmenr

tse rf,rfth oeherc end et cenilnDatment te do sosme.

et*rs.

or tool cf the human person for happinas and prospcriry of each and every individual in sociery. All usefirl and neccssary
work is worthy of the hurnan person and is ro be esteemed apan from financid remuneration and more concrerely, independenr of the degree of physical labor involved.
Secnnd Principle: Piority afla&or oa* Capital labor here is understoad es rhe vast majority of people who do nor own the me:urs of producrion bur have only rheir hands to use

ory is ro be used as an instrument at rhe seryice ofworkers, so ir musr nor be allo'*'ed to enslave people or deprive rhern of the righr ro worlc If nor pur in thcir proper perspective, technolory can enslave man. They can also become man's enernies by killing his creadviry There are three spherts where man is developed as rhe subject of wo rl* pmonal" fdmily *nd soiay. ln rhepcronal ph*, the worker achieves fuIfillment as a human being in his worle. Virhour iq he achieves nor}ing. It is mainly through work rhat a person i5 c:llsd to exercise his/her role as rhe steward of creation, prorecting and ennobiing nature. Through ir, man exercises dorninion over creared mafter and becomes "lord of crearion" anci a crearor tPE 271. He gives fus imprint to whatever he produces and in rhe process acquires perseverance, skili and rJre spirir of inr-endon. ConsequendS work guarantees the worker
his independence and perscnal freedom.

ln rhe fanily sphere, work makis family, the firsi school of work, pcssibie. fu is essential, for it is through ir rhar hurnan beings provide lbr dre tamilies. It is veqy viral for the education of children for, by rhe examples of their work, parenrs educate their children. maliing them appreciate *re necessiqy and nobilirv of lrlcrk. Children cauld rhen become hardworking fa"nily men and \*'omen ol the firrure ln rhe sphere afsodery,,work is essendal ro the nation, for through the r*'ork of irs cirizens narions develop. The prosperiqy of a nation embodies rhe work of generadons. Thraugh work, narion educares its cirizens. By its policies on work, by irs laws
156

to parricipate in production. C-apital refers to the few influendal groups who own the means and instrumenm of irroducion. Amidst the problem of 'preference', rhe social reaching of rhe Church has consistenrly favored 'lebor'" John Faul Ii clearly stares rhar The rrorlter mugt neuer be 'the principle ofprioriry oflabor over trested Es a mere lnstru. capitai is a posruiare of rhe order of mcnt of predu8ticn, nor t! social moraliry. Ir is always a prirnary colrltr?od|tr te be sold snd efficienr cause, while capiral remains bo$Sht ln seecrdcnre HIth a mere instrurnental cause, a collcctfte lcw sf "supply trncf, de. ricn of things and has only rhe na- mssrd." nrre of rools." (LE, t2, t5; CS, 6Z) T[:e prioriry of tfre woEker over capiral places an obligaticn upon employers ro consider rhe welfare of rhe *,orkers before the incrEasc of profits. They are rnorallv obliged ro keep capita.l productive and drink, abour che common gc.od r+"henever invesrmrnm are made. Vork is nor supposed ro bc rrrared
'mere merchandise' eo be peddled like any orlrer marerial good in rhe marker (LE, 6). The basis of dererrnining rhe r.alue of human work mu-st not be rhe kind of work being done bur rhe
as

fact that thr an* uho is doing

it

is a person.

1*

rci*afi, cittrftan tucbl

::i-.:::t:*td

ut,dlrjilrfit

WW6,ttr,g,rd of worlr
one to
oearn

B. SplrltualltY
1.

an honesr living bv the work of rheir hdnds" (1

Scdptunl tuundadon

Thes.4: l0-12) and warned rhem abour any idleness. "If anyone will not work, ler him nor ear.' Work make ir possible ro exercise chariry and ro serve rhe need,v.

TheJewish people held physicai work in greater steem.

Thcy were a working people despite rhe existence of mitigated frr,ms of slavery. They served God in worh rest, and worship. Ih,spire of rhc high esteem of work, dheJewish peoplc were also airtn6'sf,rhc painfirl toil and hardships conne*ed with it. But to prorect the workers against scruFo' the EUrGess e$ hls werlr, pulous oppression, the Mosaic law nttglN, w:rs sen com- inroduced social legislation. The pSetlU dEn$etlt o:r God, hiredlaborer must be paid the same wlthsut hclp E:ls lo- day and must not be exploited. Even the rcst day of the wo*er on bor wanr In ralnthe Sabbath has tn be assured. Jusrice for workers and mercy towards rhe needy, who were usually workers* governed social and economic life. In the Ners Ttstdm#rr, Christ considers work as a natural, inregral part of human life. He illustrates his teachings by examples mken from theworld oflsbor: the farmer in the fields, the woman about her housework, dre fisherrnen and others. Chrisr chose to work with his ha$d.s as a carpenter. It was a lowly profession in the eyes of his ccuncrymen' so lowly drat rhey could not believe he was the Messiah because they said, ire

gg

Hh6e

r*es a carpenter.

However, rhe Gospels are also replete x'ith warnings

againsr too much preoccupation with and absorption in work and business. "Take heed and beuEor{(, Es lllustmted thrsugrr ware of all covetousness, for man's ttr*e pGirErbles, *eangmd lndus life does not consist in rhe abun-

hrildpefliln sf Oylsfs Pe#,mqwe Act '!7ork is practically laborious and r.trrerefore it implies effort and ro some exrenr is unplcasant- Only a unified vision of liE, which enables one ro direcr every activiry ro his uldmate end, makes it possiblc to work always wirh pleasure- For Chrisdans, work should make one closer ro God because ir is a participation in the creative po$/er of God through changing, developing, ennobling and beaudfying rhings on earh. Human wo:,.|r.rrflects the Cro-,s and Resurrecion ofChrist. He worked, and it came wirh roit, persecution and deaeh on rhe Cross. Lilce Christ, human beinp are expected ro srvear for the welfare of the people. Like Chrisr, human beings can expecr persecution from rhe powerful. Bur like Him, they can also expecr victory victory on *ris earth with rhe rule of jusdce and holiness, struggle against opprssors, srruggle for rhe vicrory of the people oiGod. Every Christian is called ro lovingly share in the work of Christ by endurins rhe roil of work He shorvs himself a true disciple of Chrisr L'v carning rhe cross in his turn every day in fie activiry rhat he is called Lrpon ro perform. "Chrisr undergoing dearh irself rells us bv example rhat rve roo musr shoulder rhat cross which rhe tr"orld and rhe flesh inflicr upon those who pursue peace and iusrice" (LE, 127-f 2$.
2. W$ile A

e. Christian obllgatton

to Work

try, rellablllty tlnd fi{ellty.

possessions" (Lk" 12:15)" Solicitude about the necessides of life must not prevail over rtre rnore important, spiritual concerns which are the opennes$ to God's word and the Kingdom c,f God and its iustice. (Mt.6: 25-34) ln St Paul's lctters" he required quiet and steady work from believers. He practiced a trade as a tent maker to provide fbr his living and not to burden an\,one. He admonished every-

dance

of his

but an obligation, a dury on the paft -_*.of man ro work. Every'one has a moral obiigation to work to maintain and deveiop his humaniq', according ro the Creator's
139

normal way ro selfrhar a prmon satisfies his marerial needs and rhe needs of cho.se enrrusred to him. Ir is, therefore, nor only a human riehr,
is a

Work

preservaricn.

k is by it

?hls n$turol obllgotlon t$ srsrk lncludes eyen thoss peop! whe FcEsess su$f& clent protrerty Clnd do nat

depend on thelr work ts

mslke o !f,wlng-

138

:'

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::ldlttititi:tl rt::rriffiiru4-gil*tilt*{

tuedmr$SafiffEf,ttttwlvefirilrt

*rtr0,t*fir3Itlll,t
plan and,for,the aid and support of his family, couqrr,, and the whole human family. All are obliged to work in one way or
anorher because every rnen is called ro serye his fellowmen and to,cooprare with God in the unfolding of his creadon.
ceive a jusr share in *re fruirc of their labors. *Alienation' pens when the worker is only used when profirable,

hap

necessary consequence

of rhe obligation ro work

is

the dury of the worker to pcrform entirely and conscienriously wharever work has been voluntarily and equirably agreed upon by hirn and his employer. This also mordly obliges anyonc who
has chosen a panicular profession ro prepare himself for it conscientiously. Negligence in the acquisition ofrhe ncccssaqysrcills which resulm in serious harm ro others, is a very grave irrespon-

when no longer reeded, or made .o *o.L with no consi&r_ ation for his inrellccual and moral perfecrion, with rhe workcr ending up dulled and srupefied through years of rhe same nronoronous wo rll.- Tllird,when differenr pcrsons and whole grsups are excluded frorn employmenr becausc of race, creed, ,.*, *"L Forrth, when work becomes a compulsion, often becar.lse of &e social rcndenqf ro judge pcrsons in rerms of rlork *rey do and their rconomic'success in compeddon" E. Wofl( and the li,orlr
TodaY

discarded

sibiliry. Prooft of one's proficiency and comperency musr bc acquired wit$ honesry and without fraudulence.

D. Contrary Effects 0f Utort(

As pointed our earlier, work aids hurnan beings towards the fi.rlfillment and perfecdon of humaniry. Ir also develops professionai awareness, a sense of dury and chariry ro one's neighbor" However, work can also have conuary eft?ca. Since ir prolises money, pleasure and influence, work can invite some to selfishness and others to revolr- Moreover, when

it

is rnore sci-

entific and bemer organized, there is a risk of dehumanizing rhose who perform ir, by making rhem irs servants. Another instance when work could be an insrrumenr
for dehumanizationis rhrough rhe avarice and greed of rhe capitalists. Capirdists make use ofworkers [o arnaqs wea]r]l for rhemselves, leaving the former wirh smrvarion wages. They usc work a: a tool to give misery and ruin to the workers. As a resulr, workers becorne alienated from rheir work and orperience boredom and sadness rarher than contenr and happiness in whac
rhey do.

se.'ed thar rhe siruation of most of rhe working class today is intolerable. More so, when there are roday,s ,r.nid*.lopr.o* affecring work, which were non-exisrenr in former timl. The church has observed that the workers of rhe rich indusrial ccuntries experience becermenr in life. They have improved eonomically and culrurally and fin<i reisure ro d.reiop currurar and intellecrud pursuirs. some e*en enjo1. infruerr." i, poridcs. On dhe other hand, rhe Church also noriced thar *rcse workers in dre Third World have become rvorse under all *s_ pects (QA 6l). The worker rodar. has become valueless, hungrl, atrd starving, living in inhuman d*.ellings. Work has been reduced ro a soft of merchandise, bo*ehr bv Lpiralisrs at rhe cheap_ esr price, and many rimes discarded, afrenvarr{s.

\fork, indced, is of grear value. Unfortunarelir ir is &

l
:

The Episcopal Commision on Christian Eduration enumerated siruarions where sin enters when work is abused and misundersrood: Firct, *'hen ir is accompanied by anxious worry regarding basii necessiries for sun-ivd; ar rimes, bur aiso orten concerning competirion f,or social srarus, fame and power. Srcond, when workers are alienared by exploirarion and do nor re_
140 141

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The inherent digniry of work shou menr ror arr ctui-s-rL

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them rhat rheir dignir,v is eirher upheld or violated

j1g;

RIgm fu Work or Emp,oyment

qrssweatol *.,1. n*r,,,""*jJj;,',:il,..1.; ]T uu' righr rhroush . Y.h

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human exisrence. fo.

Thc righr.ro employmenr follows from .hrorgh;;#;""",#: rhe ,rru..

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,

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-

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Labor Fryce Survey h Sre Fhillmlre Apfl 99 5 - 2 &0 txrc entage )
1

&CtS;fel

l!ffid

ValebEs

1995
67.6

'r996 591 891

1997 68.8

{9S
68"6

1999
69.6
EX'

20@
65.7
86.1

LaborFsrce Participatim Rate Emo&?Tent Pate Unrndo\rment PAe

87.9

895
;u..1

9A't
15.1
21

121

Under"l"@y*cnt
sd/ia

he

1'tB
22"7

13.9

m.3

ltl

?3.4

tM3 sa,i& @t

251

W tf, M ttu&.

: i , I : : , , , :

a person who fuces a day doing nothing when he could and is prepared ro do much. This siruadon would push somc Eo rescrt to violence, drug abuse and politicar extremisrn. Moreover, s+ciery bears rhe obligadon of helping rhose who are victimized

:To" parricularly rhe rich indus*iai narionr, which have much influence on the less deveroperl ono. n f* mppod ro herp and collaborate witl the poorcr ,r"tion" **rril;;#5 opTyfl y r.sarding .*pioy*i,r, l1l ror the cluzsns of tfrc various Hes nations. The probl.rn **o when rhe indirect ernployers,yrr.**.i;Ur ;,oil duaugh coordinarcd and sophisd**i-*""".r"oirrgs,*E; To rhis, John hul II warns thar a socieq. in which rhis dghc; *.; aricelly denied, in which ..nrro*i* policles do oi *Uoo,,**rfers ro reack setisfactory.levels of employment, cennor b. i*d_ 6.{ e_thical l"* an(CA,4S).point of vierv, io, * that society arain socid peace

;ff=nrr

;;;;

by unemplcyment. Thc weak and the disabred should be provided with professianar rra-ining and, if possibre, be placed i' protected' industries and enrerprises" Today, the righr to employment has become even more problemadc because of thc alliance of both seen and unseen
employers"

B. RlEht

a .,Lrst Wage

In

Laborem

&rccns,lohn paul II cites th*e nto

indire*. fi._ d;urt ,*pto,o

rlrll pesce. efirs. First arnong rhese indirect fsrces is rhe sraar" It is essencially rhe ' srare rhar formulates and impremenr rhc economic
policiis that eirher open or rimit cmpiormenr oppomrnities for drc people. Ir has rhe overar plan for rn. d.".lopment of job opporrunitics for irs cirizens and has rhe power ro coordinate ali iniriativcs towards *re crearion ofas muchlobs as possibre wirhour curailing rhe initiarive of individuals and groups of peopie rowards cconornic emancipadon. Then, eh".. ,r. also orhe.
148

net ile Iustlfled from on counry rhar resuks in eirher an inethlcql tralnt of vlew, nor crease or decreasc of empl*ymenr cgm thgt soelet1l ttttc*ln E6r, oppomrniries,rragesandsocid benlaws and

;, ,t, *# Hferk ls strstemattcelly capira.tist with whom rhe worker denled, ln whlch Gconomt personan;r makes rhe conrracr" The trolicieg do n6t :lltrow wortt rndtrco c-rnpioycr campnses ell r}ose ers to reoch sGtlsf6ctory fbrces rhar influcncc or make rj-re leuels of employmnent, c:trt- economic policies and acdviries cfa

,:;oc!etlr !n whleh the

rlEht

binds o{ employers: *te dirco and. rhe

*Fu ).,111_ly,worker prornores , pun..firl*r*latior,ship employ$ and and consequendv produ.o t*r*orry ntr'een people among thernseives.
1.

r/ery crucial in labor is rhe aspec of wages. The Church it as the main issue in rhe social quesdon *ba_ and a rhe jusrncss or injusrice of a given sociery (L.E, gg; :".T":T" 1f
considers

I
I I
1

i;;;

U*_

IwbmtnanE af a tust wege

,

43 11

c.

s a 5 fr s

In rhe pasr, the sole dererminant ofwage was simply the conmacr or agreernenr enrered inro by the ennpl*ye" *a, *o employer with the'free consenr'oithl ar*"". Today, the So_ rejects ir because rl11,1..1r:ll"g rnough rhe consenr is an imp.nant bllt,ge Ig ffle rmgl; rs;ue in ftcor,overandabove ir,therryorker,s tlre sgctal quesffon. lt lf life-needs have ro be consiclered. A euen g6rBgldercd Gs a Btl_ wage musr be sufficient to c.,ver rhe fcl?rate; of ghe !E sgness ry worker's needs for a decenr exisrence. $nlusttrce es t, gluefi sotffirl}Page conrracrs or agreements are not always ju.sr. A rvorker b: forced ro agree ro a wage rhar is Srjn under subsisrence minimum because ,h.Jl no orher means of Iivelihood for him. In rhis situadon, ,fr" *"rf.* fras no rea.l freedom cf choice. Since it is the ,nly;.;;; ir Evelihood for rhe majoriry" rh* compensadon fnr work shou*l nor be ,h;A;;;
I l l

! ?::,.;-::,

i,

nrail, thicdenlfcht

fnolumt

srt

justice and equiry.

in terms of merchandise, bur rather according ro the

laws

of

pf,ra&We

Tt.e$lritcritcrionofdetermining ajusrwagc ., srhafanil7 wage' It is rhe salary given ro dre hid or,rt. h-,y,tJrrdeleatenough forrhe needs ofthe farnilywidrout rJre orh;;po; rakin8 a,tainful employment cuside of &e horne. I,,J;; ers ure dffafi ncds of a normai fzmily rfiar would inclldc a rronhy homc, sascienr food, norrnal iu*.io' and relaxadon. A consequencc of'this is rhe prorccrioa of the workert *"; aa7airc yrrycrtia. Wagc shculd gr". a worker * "l* professional "lloi*o to save.for securiry against nar,r.d rrri h"*rdr;; wase ev3. hirn securiry agairrst rhe a..nrualities of old age, sick_ ness, accidenrs, sroppage ofworlq and orhersTlte sccond criterioa is the contrihuion of the twr*cr in tle erynomy ffirt ^{hiscondidon i" ;" tice" Aworlcermusr ft
he renders

y"ld

for rhe"o,panrio.r'oiirrd*rri* lo * *.r,' rhe wholc f"j::i:.^9--**:p'i"* ", justice ma), mtougn a severe crisis, cocial firen d.**di mrr_ porary reduction ofwagcs and the ,.rrurr.i*.ioo of" 6r[;;ilf waga In ihir 63ss, unreasonable insistence

narional ^:- ;;;#ilT#d ld, Y.s* rion ofcapial

A
necessar,,

;:ffi?il::iffm;;"*r;;
on a fi.rll

B,siness mperiencing unjust

bc unjrrsr rcwaads rhe enteqprise or rhc nationar

erG;

*;

to higher remuneratio"-

;; f.;#,ffi: Hfrr#ff;*:xtr;
ro u. consideled
are r:he

h;

;*;;;;;

""*on Io.* profit because of bad **rg#*t is not a rsurn ro 1';r,

reouce s/ages.
be commcnsuratc tu the ofgoods. are_roo high for the workcr,s

to accsrnrnodate mre of the.unemployed. For the Lk" of *re good, rlrework_ ers haye ro sacrifice. But rhis should *rrl;.b. remporary How_ Moreover, in ncrmal conditions, worlcer,s wager must

"-. -"y

wage nnone rhan it can. Ia cases ofmassive agree ro lower w*ges in onder

brir* *;.

*[;;G;;

qomv-

unemploy*.rrr,*;t-

lork,.qlaaical erperience, drne and erpense spent fcr forma_ rion; skill and rcsponsibilides assigned. roork thar

r.rir*r.+

p*a

"i

Uft.n

and unrest

conributes

DAILY COST OF I.MITG FOR A FAffi.Y OF A; of January"1997- 2ff.

Sfr

,oo.'
Fhi,ipFines

1ee6ill*sizmoizoor
38i -r? 35239 392j2
465 57 418.39 501.40

533.8s
399.10

301 82 324.51

<rt f?
354 59

v?fi
56736

560.48
379.26

385 55

A0tr06*iftrt

405 55

"

i ,

*::::::- obiiged to raisc it (CA, l5) rr, rn ,Lisrtce, f;

2. nts Etnttnum Wage: A o$ty at

has to consider the exigencis beyond dru bouadaries of one,s counry. Economic and polidcal evenff in one counffy, arcdue to a grear exrenr, ro the dicrares and pressures ofdre richer*;: ries" Ar rimes, one-sided *ade ,gr."*.rr* imposed by richer counrries afr'ect rhe finrrr.inlsate Jfsmaller econornies, rkeby affecring rlrl waSes of workers" f.f*er*-f.*, if dre minirnum wage should prove roo low because of a g*"rat dev.aluadon of "ytor"a in this.*;;h; indirec empbyer,

,lorg rh;m.rarher,,h* hrpfirress and pcaac Thefourth criterioni" rjru *irersi common goad,vage

,J.h, ,Ir*r* can only bc disaontent

*. pri".rkffi

morc ro the production or to rtc good of rhe business deeerves m$re pay rhan whar contributes ls" The third critcion is rJre national cowmon good: state af the ex*rprisc and country The condirion of any p"rii"rf* J*rines and of im owner musr also comc inro qrorio., in s.rdirrg wetes- trr is unj,st on rhe part of rJre workcrs ,o a.**a t ff, weges rhat an employer Gulnor pay wirhou, *i; ;;';";:._ qucru rlistress among the workers rhemselves

fie

Sfrte

{eA,

ZZ),

lor rhe mainienance of the worl<er,and lr" a*iy. mfr;;ff a legislared rninirnam *og.. lr-i;,he leasr amount of salary an employer rs oblig*d ,* gi"l, U*i"*which lr..r.,rr*g; wirhout vioiadne rh. Ia.J" N. iry'gir.*o., bo. never less. The purpos" of th;, is to guaranree rhe worker of,, at leasr, a

S*ugh

168

Ef,:..

fr,Ftt or&t,l/,

wd

fr,lrr,rtfrwt

,$h emFtgm mltulm$m wag; -

trhT

nrtery rolrowrn-JilLif ;; rew, but he -ly_p_. s,otns'

1h" *"--I

ifi"ii= l* ntorally too t;; ;; ;;;;.

I*

*,*;tr ;tr;:;W; '*f*;;il;:;ftenocdsor

.ft *i*.":J

minimum s.andardofliving. Wirhouc thislaw, ernPlo),ers oftcn abusc rhc workers br-P"v'ns the lowest

qdraofffii
normal cieveiopmenr shauid nor be tlrrparred. Uhrlciren T. :or to be incorporared into thc woriring prxccess ar all before rhey have suffcienriy marud i"

T\.r#Se!#i

ed squl.* -

*ry

aIIy rco

in the econom)r are frst, it resr oa the . authoritim m adiw.r!e midmum wage acconding;,ilp*_ vailing st ndard of iiving ,nd sor * L. dicrarcs of t}* L*lrving capitalisa who only ser rncre inyesemeno and profits. sorne ethicisa and social sciendsa are of drE posirion ;h* i;reased utaga afthc mascs a* bcarftciat a tht economtrt, Increased wages hasen industrializad*n and as e aonsequ.i* ,rJoJ' eroducrivicy. It is low wages drar hamper industriarizarion- For if rhe people haye no moncy to b,ry ri.inp, facories qurnor m.uldply and many indusuics wil have nJbusiness. I, i.;J, when rhe masss have sufficient moncy rhat they are ablr. b;; products, and as a consequence, nnainain industry. '

against the moral law. Since changcs

.i-c$ it caa bc unju*ly and irnmorlow If rhis happens, an emplopr pnng ,L *irri*o* ir definidy fo,llowing dre civil t *, Lut hI *"y U. eoing

* ;;rr. somc-

*:IBg

V*"

&

bedi,,

;;

i
I

havi rhe righr u" condidons in accoldancc

inompadble wirh sex-and

,, Irr

asmuctraspossiblebeadjtrsted torhe tftlr rlre personal nceds of women workers Emd @&afFU.considering rheir age and occupaticn as wives and rnorhers. No work is ro bc
age, nnuch

widr rheir duties a.s wives and moth- for gnrn End m;ut Elo n o;f es-Thepracesofproducdondrourd uarlue or tluem thfrn whCIt

rfioll to ess inen rrg thlns!$

wcrth !* ;;;;;
is
i

l*, *-r"*i;;rl;:'

demandd which

r-

ts

^*T_**@ social crlsn:pted and

ofshifts preyen*,
lar participation in

-T.frr*
religic*

probLirr" Family life becomes difficult. The staeseriJ

of work add more

is sharaefi.rl a-qd rrrhu*aoio trear thc worlcers ,r* what thcy can grye in muscle and enerry (RN, 3I).

It

and odrer periodicai gatherings. Iorg hours of work bryond rhe endurance of hurnan strength and insufficient sa-&ry rneasues rnust always
b"

J*ii,

going ro

*o"ring, of o*g*nir*riirr*

,igh,;*;, ;ff;;:

_*;J

*o..

ahn ,

Alrorhl

aspefi is

ehe

Rlght

tr Humantzlng c0ndlfi0ns

0f w0rt(

Rapid indusrrializadon has rendered work roo srechaimpersonal. $forkers are finding ir difficulr to iden_ rify themseh'cs with rheir *'ork wirh prideldl.y, th"."bylou-

i:"{ *d

*hlehanlErtlon,

pits*red lo&.',
150

from tlre trrGduct ef kts labor. ?hlg gfyr tttfle EppCIrtumltf f$r pr{*$e sn6 rsy ln ern trecoB?}.
E orE(er

clste the

trcnBnd s$onnBtlon

spcc[gllrc]

dlss*

ing rheir individud significance as human persons. Indeed, rhere are many conditions rhar *re worker should be conscious about in order
ro malse his working environment as human as possible. Thiwcrking en_ vironrnenr must be such that jlrys;_ cal hcaltlt is not endangercd on* *ur_
als are sdftguarded {LE,

Pensate

sufiicienr resr and rJ:e leisure ra culdtere their culrural, social and religious lift. Workers have ro be periods of frci *rnc to artead n *r;r rrtigi* ?H11 :Ogate oohgdt ons- I hey rnust be given time for resr ald leisure ,o i*_

{id3.and :h"{.d.fu :"roy fam;t;al,

process of productian should be adjusted in such * *ny *.o provide rhe workers t&e opparrunides to develop ,h.i, ;;;: personaJidcs *rhin theworkserting

righ* o-rrr, and rccrratioz. The

irself, They

Fr Td

regain, energy consurned by roil.

is

anothercnndidon fora hurnane work-

:ri:::':::""'
&rqYg g fadt "f hir ""m.\pf t n"Th. op"r*o involved in car.c, especially inrhl case of accidcnrc ar work, demand lr.h
that rnedica, assistance shoulcl bc a*ailable ro workers, and
as

lg).

Ii&g;,la.rrir:q.,,,,-l-:-,,,,,,r4-,,,r',-rr"i::t]itr,rir{:i:-!\iJirr:::r:i:i:.iiii:.i':.;i.:::,

t*ad dtrttwt

soEet

fiwtuefi,efit

fr
'

as possible

. , '

!*r\yeworkcr m*IG,o ' f";;;' , *1g rheworlcers rhcmsclves- Workcrs should begircn infor: fftiolabo.al yhe igrrifrcancc oftkir ask in thc enti-w murp*a j ThZ $9uld be given * ,rrri.oorrding of orher r.t r.a *ort j *d of rhc meaning and relarance oFrieir worlc Any qr*;; I (MM, 83;nllraogmze this aspecr is always considercd unjust. *i: t'1es PP 28,34). ' ,, Authorities are, rhereforc, moraily obliged, as much as , possible, ro set up rlse humanizing conditiorr-, of *ork- TIri,
forms of dehumanrzarion.
t,-^

through pension an insurance. fuother viral factor in rhe humanizing worlcing cnvironmenr is dre worlrers pqnricioadon in phnniig

it should be inexpensive or even frce of

Srarf e*k
crrarge
1.

lmp$&lnce 0f yotkfs esslctadans.

I

thclmlation

ir * a rnachine or a facror in producrion. There is a need sonal relationships berween matlagcment and workcrs and

refers not only to *re manual labor,-but also to the orher kinds such as intelle$ual and ardsticwork, which aresubjec*o

o*.,

The governance of a union is generally to ensure rhar the individual members secure an inciease in prosperiry. ' Thc l *T* and promotes the inrerest ,rot orrly of th. *rk"o I i .u-"T buralso the good of the grearer communiry. Uriooirrn u*"; I workers is encouraged for rhe foilowing rea$ons: i Fint, itscracs as a aedpon ofsetfdefnuc against injus*a 'l ,f ypby*. k is only in unionism th* u,,orLrrrL dr"r, ) d:fen{ rheirdghx. Unlessworlcers unire and oryanizzrn;'_ selves into solid and srong labor unions, theywilin**r;; | i the power of an oppressive imptoyer. Second labor unions scrue dsyTh?ough GsncGrte6 effsrt instntmcnxoftd*rctionformembcn, they Ieqnt to be brutue rrnlt To form the mind and character of GGUIA98OBS to flg,ht f0r members is one of the imporrant thett rfghts e,en l' thc tasks of unions. Through mietinp, mrdgt gs hcr*s*tment
serninars, teach-ins, erc., workers are made aware of the laws of the land,

(
I

D. Right

to unlonism

Man neds dre s_rppon ofod.s rrrcn !o find firlfillrnent and achieve"perkiorl l-ie has a naruar righr ro orhers

cnnons. This righr is-firrcrenTin man

i.

dl**d

,o

*L

araray.

Thc

--gmless"they ate bound

'slsrkers cannot :rchlere -*tre derlr**-.rtrtr.sr rn rrsa,

caeolc chu*h has rnainained &er xorfters. associariors are nreaqy in our

ffi "","" i".rrd"rgefiar.

loin

and form asso_

by

ffiffiffi';
en@uragod m growandbeacdrae.They

"
'.

:'
15?

rr..i.rdfo*r*il*

means, beca,se

eey

a,gr*rU*re

firtfi*

r,r"

Pa,. Itorc firlly and honarably in dlc lif. of dre nadon rmrards deveiopmenr. 'workers cenno. achieirc rhe desired upliftmenr in life,

**ff#Jmffi ffi1

C-nncomianr wiu\ dre righrofmernbenhip in a union, is the pa*icip}e ir, *hrr**, posi*r.e acdviry of rhe organization widrour ri-re fear of neptive .p"r.,*io.u.
righr of rhe members ro

what they are supposed ro do, 416. ,ghts, duties and privileges. In union, workers learn to debare, discuss, analfze siruations, and to decide rhrough baltrots. They Iearn about social problems, rheir causes, prrperrarers, as weii as r1le means ro their soiutions. Through concerted effom they learn ro be brave and courageo* r, fiih. for theirukh;;: even in rhe midst of harassmenr and persecurions, in rheir strule for jusdce. They atso gain invaluable experience in thc arl ofgovernmenr, panicularly rn running unio.,i thrcugh diffi_ culties and opposirions in the process cfichier*ing ohUI*ar. Third unions promok u,orker,s in*rcsts Ui*ilp;rg t*ng abo*t_bewr wages and proJit tharing. Excessive concenrradon of wealth in rhe hands of a few o.rr U" avoided if wages are suffi_ cient and r-l're profirs are shared and diffiise<t ,o ,ior" peopie" These are possible only if workers are unirecl in a union. Foumlt, the conrenrnent broughr abour b,** greater share in industryi benefirs untars htQ dr"rb; ii ilrc *orho". *rl"gt^ a $_ns af layaby ta and idcatity with tbc enterprise"The resulr of such an identification is more efficiency in rire perFcrmancc of

pcilEecutlOns t'! EI Fo?iusfiee,.

thetr,gtn

en6

gF

t;1'

roei*rrsaa, tor*.;;

r::

r;:rr::

iri':'ir!r'

,WAaf ,,ffigs

: &Edn=;h"6m , ffirficn a, seise ;; il;;;;; B nna ftlerttty wlth the *Ger*se ri

'-L:'r

: ,, ' :

Ioophones and trse Iegal and exrra_legal

theirjobs and eventually,grearerproductivitv and profic. Fifih' unions hclp the ;Tllril"tation of hbor a;ndln social' t:ws. l he presence of unions helps __ rn currailing illegal practices and abuses. by cep&arist emproyers. oftentimes, serf-interests drive ra evade laws that hurt rheir pockets. imploryers They look for

norwjrhour dangers.Ilniorc haae to guard ab*ing tbcir swngth in aa arploiLtiut rnanwrTh"y"rrr*, be on guard frorn using for.. ,o irnpose, pardculady by srrikes, conditions which are roo burdenrcme for rhe o"**l;.;;; and for che enrire sociery. Union ecriviries allow rnembers ro enrer rhe Seld af politics, understood as concern for the common good. r$firh
against

sequendy, ,rhis power is

.t

thecomptricatedinter-relarionshipa
of differenr social strucrures

ro prevnt rhe irnplen"rentadon of certain laws.

_irr,*.r,

iilegal means

.***J?;,ffi;',l*";*:l::,_,3#:tr:{;:;*;
, b,,e*:';;::;;": :# :::,{;;;?"::#J{';tru
aJ;;dff*rfluo*

*r.

Iaws need thar workers be ristened ro. They can herp lawmakers ---'

polcia for the goJ;rrh..labor sector.

fi:lds.as well, especially in rhe field of polidcs' for the comrncn good of

of uillon* muit also tnualwe modern sociery, unicns should in- thcr$rehtGs mrlth tlre ete* volve rhemselvesnor onryin maccrs nonclc, EoGlt$ t,nd poEruGcclt y*i" the enrerprises but in odher lews a$fecttng th*l;ilsociery. They rnust also

!!=

organizations, the sare is reft arone to do pracrically everphing for rhe nation. Unions help relieve ,h. b,rrdens' leaving it free to devore more energedcally ro the sraver problems of rhe nation.
{-.lbimately, unions are aimed ar, not only mairing work-

ix

ers have better benefirs

more digniJied human beings.

but arso make them

b*.o-"

bet*r and

andimpiementing rhe economii

unions is thar rheir condirion today are a$ecred, .o, orrty the 'direcr employrr', bur eren morflso by rhe .indirecr.*pl# ers'especially rhose who possess poiirical powe, by lnyiog jo*r,
!ao"s and policies

liticd aurhorities. The main reason for rhis .political participation,

involve thcmselves wirh rhe ecor:cmic, socialand p"fiUoi fr*" affecdng *re narion. In Solieirud o Rei Sorialis,S.U fr*rifl rrppors rhis idea of unions srriving against."r*1, and unjusr po-

of if

'

2. timtbtions 0f uflhnlsm

'

.
154

Unionism is not an absolute igbt. It is Iirnired by rhe higher *1T*". basic rights of religiJus, *oof, *a polidcal fieedom. Union leaders hiv-e rhe d,rfr to ;;;;;p"mrniries for rhe members r? trpress their wiu. porici^es of rh"-,l,iu, shourd nor become the affair ofan oligarchywithin ,h.,rnion. Unions shouid always Ieave to rheir mJmbers fu, freedom io roro*,h. dictares of rheir conscience in a furiy a.*o.r*;. *ri. w-orrrcrs, organizarions'exist,to help prorect and prornor. ,rr"i, werfare and serve as a mo.urbpiccefoithe srugg[efir *r;nt iori;o. Union_ ism is nor considered a weapon againsr others inrended rb erirninare the opposirion. . Solidariry arnong union mernbers creares power. Con-

legislarion.

try. If workers wanr ro har.e a bener rhro. of rhe of the narion, rheir voice musr bre heard in rhe area "oealth of polirics
and

of rhe coun_

E. Union's lueans

of

Affd-)

1. Cattffive Ba{gainlfig

The normal wayofa iabar union's dealing wirh rhe em_ qloyer is rlxaugh.saltfritz"Aaryab4 Represenmrir"es from both the union and managemenr come togerher ro negoriare a compromise on issues of,wag;es and benrfiL. As a rule,l.rnions would wrnr ro ger as much ar possiblc from capiral, while capital tends ro lower rJre demands eif wo*ers .o ,ir. minimum. Collectivc bargainingagreement works on r_trre principle pur;ty ryrt**gti.

"f

155

rorefi ofist2fi Rdd tfiudyefieat

prre"sals muruthese circumsrances, unions reso;1 {f ro more forcefirl measures to settle thc issue.

spent in didogue, Iabor and managrnent do not come ro terrns. Dispures are unsemled, neither palry ,lri

orh"r. rrr*rJ, ,h.y should insread srive rowards mu nrar understandi;; ; cooperation. There are instances, however, ,rr", a.rpi,";;" and effo*

Horvever, rhis equaliry in smength does not mean that both parries shourd be at odds wirh.e-ach

EWiAdwB
done by the workers alone or

with

the public by inducing them

ro stop patranizing rJle ernploycr's producm.

3. ffioral$$ of tfrtkes.

rgr.oble. In

nr*

Since a strike resulcs in in* conveniences ro the industry, r+'orkers and somerimes, rhc public, ir

Sfitke es a

*terns of

pnfrrt

Strihcis the refrrsal towork on the pan ofdre organized workers to pressure the employe, ,"

,.*irri* *.i,

demands

"workefts*ltouldreassureu catholic social teaching does nor the rlglrt to strlke wlthoui ty: on this righr as IJng as ir is belngl sUbleeted tO per. withinjustm.*r.Work rsmustbe Eomtl pen;;t SOnctIOnS a;yed fOr subjectedof rhis right wirirout being taklng pq3rt !n G St?lke-,, . ro personal penal sanctionl
rvr L4rrB Pari tn a strurc.
a. Forms of Sfrtke

mustfollow conditions to noral$jus- cgse of SrcEve lnlusgce.dfi it. The following rnust be considered: lirra s*ikes musr be far ajust causc; cxa.rrples ofwhich are wage, CBA violations, unfair labor pracdce, unjusdfiablc discharge, erc. lWbrkers musr remernber rhar a srike can only be jusrified if the orhcr Femner dces nor follow the colrecdve agrcement in force. None&eiecr, alternacive methocis f<rr a just setdernent should be tried" kcond" the c*ndtion necessirares that the gaod apc*cd from thc strihc sho*ld be greatcr than its
nrydtiue coruequcnct.Tltereshould be a good reason grear enough ro ourweigh rhe inconveniences of a srike. The loss of sdary of, w3r!ers, damage ro industry and somerirnes ro rhe communiry

OnlI De tUgtlflgbte In thf

trontg etlrg Of $?Bfit hamff tff the FUIIIC Oftler, thry UrOUlfl

-...ths rtrlkes Gf clyll aeF

, ;
156

pr.r"rr". ofworkers in the *orkirrg hours. W*rt ii*i,*, il-'eans the deribera.re ressening of the iate ofproducdon t;o* ehe minimum levels,et by.rhf managemen t. picbctingconsisrs c"!rjg{o,ups of ,,r,orkersmaiching_ro nrid fro before t}re business es-blishment,. generally Uth portraying ;.,";.,f rrr strike. Aside from *"kir,g fla.ards, * srike more efrective, pici<ering is a-fo used.togain symparhff.o* the public. Bryr;;;;;;r_ g'.;::ized refirsal to deal. wirh a particular business in order ro cun:pel it ro give in rc the d"**d, oiri. *o.t
.rs. This may be

ressadon ofproducrion, but with th. piace af wcrk during- normal

,,r'hich the workers primarily irrootrr"a is rhe source of rhe grievances of rhe *orlrrrr. O ;hat wh.ich is called in supporr of a direct strike in anather en_ i,erprise. This can he mcral but for much graveo roron, ,lru, jusrifr direct srrike ,. Wi* Snppagemeans 'u.'ruld rhe complere

Direct stike is one carried ou

ffiiffXffi:i; Sj*pn4l**

ofd:e inconveniences ir brings, srike should be considered as a remcdy cf lasr rcsort. It musr not be abused so as ro lead ro rJrc paralysis of fie whole socioeccnomic life r}-rar is conrrar). ro rhe cornrnon good. Hcwcve6 if the rnanagemenr acrs in bad faifi and has no inrention ro negotiate or uses the ccnciliation mlks as opporruniries ro breaJr a srrike, rhe srrike can be morally jusrified. Th-efourth, condi- .. tion sees ro it rhat therc shoulld be a rrasonabb hopc of success. To initiate somerhing d:ar ends up in sure disasrer is iriesponsible. A srrike rhat is nor won could mcan losses of union furrdr, oirries of workers, privileges and benefits, ousrer of workers, or even the dissclution *f dre union itself" Fifih, the means rmcause a

**rt=, c atrrkei remglng, ttt ;;;, e,il extreme met,nr. b-r' 3'.r reasonable period of negoriarion and - --'--r' -r' - '- 'dr1 mediadon should be ailc"*"ed. B.- _
t

of the srrikers, are nor ro br raken lighdy. The third condition say's that al! otlter rneant must batc bear. cx; hausted.b{ore ngaging in o smtu. A

157

*Fa;&:,:6Etil,i::,1r:r*::rat,;."
1

;:iiiss}rrE+&ieq${,#*x+irKr**S?&ja}tli-,i

1:

CtuiprER

Naturs of Politius

A.lnffoductlon

iiies enjoyment, is vimre- Sirhour ond llfe's snloyma vimre, our senses would not be fu Ylrtue. from che mere world of insdncts. 'We sce *ring: and rccognize their meaningp. Our human touch has a meaning or ir is nor human; our ulste leads us to judgments possible only to human being: or it is snimdb gagling Our passions are brutalized bq'cnd all human resemblance when they arc in command of our acions; in that false role, they destroy borh *re human being and rJre passion. The grounds for our.judgment o{acellenct are human grounds: capable ofdirection, masrery and responsibiliqr. Thus, to be vimrous is to be human.

Every human being is Godt gift to oneself and to humanity. As gift ro oneselt each is given the supcrnaru-ral habia or virnres that make divine living possible for him or her even on earth: fairh to sce things through the eyes of God, hope to share His strength and fideliry and all the moral virnres drat let fie fire of chariqy burn '.hroughout hisiher wholc life. His giftedness is God's gift to humaniqv. The norm of, orccllencc and excgl

?he norm of

This is rhe wonder of a human being that smpefies the cowards. Every human bcing is in control of himseld his acts are his own. He alone in the physical universc is free. His free-

""**"4
lwaflb dtrbbn S(gat tfitotrerant

essary implications of social

and smden$, masretrs and disciples. There would be polidcat oryanizadonsr govrrunnr and law. All such rhings ,h. rr".-

differ physicall5 morally, inrellecrually and pqfchologijl,r. Such yarieryis a pan afbeinghtlrnan; ,orr*qr"r,dy, ,o*J*.ojd hold hi,gh officcs, some low, sorne rlor ar all. There wouid bc reachers

dom is not an end in imelf but a means rowards rhe atrainmenr of the puqpose for which he is creared. He has ,h. ,piriruui ,ppedte connmensurere ro his spiriruar knowredge, his wiil m.asures up ro his inrellect" Each man, woman and child is unique" They would

r**a*w Polttles lg a sf ster$ glf andmeans.Albeitthebestsysrerns! lnfluemEG, of Fowgr, ef rhe people is rhe working ground. Cantrs!.
Thcy can either be rhc influenccd or the influentia.!, dre power or rhe de-powered, dre conrol or tJre c$nrolled. Thus we may ask, if a scrabble'pla;;;;;;: les wirhour a *W far his -e,- would polirics U.jik*ir* .r"it_ our rhe peeplei Tfhar happcns ,o .h. week
on coordinated facts and principlcs which can bc perceived as'borh end

lifr.

"r.

tonoddburdento$ndcoE ge dlsdcln !n the hotreless.

1'
h"',,:

'nd turtlce eheendof isrifewirhourhavingincun malte Cl poor m:!rt,s tIfG flueacedorhers,directlyorindirecdy. xleGmlngrul whtle ouf ongef In ehis sense, no orr. ir'* ond dlgtraught rcehauror one rives arone. No Iife is isrand. No purery individual. we can hyporhesize thar
mosr of rhe influerr.o

$ur l(t'ldneEs

Since a persont iife involves rhose of numerous men and women in che course ofhis riving and cause concrere resurc for good or for evii, n0 one ccmes r0

though i.i_ *. majoriry, if che srong rheugh few, holds &e rinf .fp;;; with disdaini lrt us consider.now rle Gospel and rJre Teachings of rhe Church, reflecr on rhem, dir.**,Ld draw eut from rhem our plan of action.
1.

I I I

WptutzlFounttatlur

, the ordering of she universe. Rarher, rhe resurrs *. ,.. are indi' rect effects on one anocher- Like rhe ringing ofdisunr beils, ou, , Iives can send echoes,,imparriaily *a l*itr.ui,r=" r,:e mosr ' secluded and armosr forgo*en hamrers of *..r. bur kindrr*e, justice.can make a !oo, **t life meaning&rl .*.hil" arr , *d r anger and disraughr behavior can add burden ,o"*a cause dis, dain in rhe hopeiess. ,
Polidcs is-precisely an organized work of human bcings that canncr bur asecr the lives nor orriy of rhe nearest neighbor but even rhose on dismnr shnres and rhose who are !-er ro come

ffi

i'

rhe rife

ofa

:H:fl::::oJ"};.'ff;;#;:

authoriqv, all power.o*., frorn God. GJ;; Everyone is invited ro share in this poo.r. O.r. ?^T-"tO:*:t" -entering" "* r1y jusrice, inro rhe Kingdorn of God and living the wap of God: peace, and cliariry.
dom of-God conribures

power is.

the New Tesrarnenrs of our Sacred Scriprures clearly indicate r}e referenee poinr ofwhat andwhere

Both rhc OId and

Ail

i
I

j
I I

I
I

in parricuiar, fie ,\lanhean presenradon about the Kins_

i j I

****ri"g

fo.

in ro rhis worid.
B. HatrirE

0f politics

The Sermon on rhe Mounr (Mr. S:T) can be con* sidercd rhe charrer oFrhe l.jngdom: t&e Beatitudes, rle firlfillnrenr of the [_aw, being rhe salt of th" *;; and rorlring acrs of chariry, choice bcRrreen l*T"g eod and monri rruc discipleship, decision-mak_ ing bcrwern rhe narrow gr. rhnr-lods to life and *re wide gare rhar leads ro perdidon. 1.2 The f{ission (Mr. t 0) speala of r-trre rvays liscou1s1 for rhe expansion of *re kingdom: rhe mission
rwelve apostles, the price"rhar missicnaries pay if rhey followJesus *d tir" reward rh"r r*rit t** if they fearlessl;, and openly proclaim the

l.l

"* ";;;;;;#t"

I
I

tie

of

Polirics is from the

a sysrem 176

wordpo*i*

ofinfluence, ofpower, oirontrol. A,

meaning ciry. politics is ir r*orks

",yrr"*

Good

.:i: :1.:::l.l!.,:i:

-i.

A ,!,"-C

f0n6

Ov&dan

sffit

nwvf,/,refit

fl?fir?of&ffi
News. Jesus, is presenred as the cause of dissension. Hc is rhe cause of division nor only benveen and among pcrsons bur more so.wirhin eaclr person prcciscly bccause drose who have encountcrcd him have nor yr fully been conyerrcd ro Hirn- (Hindi pa huo ang hob" Pabago-bago).'Whereas Jesus, is singlc hea$ed ia firlfilling His Fathcr's !7ill. (Buo ang loob rhe message: the Kingdom of God. In Fiiipino parlance it is: iLngpamanayni ngfuna, ang baod ng haloobad ni lhirto.- (The Earher's lUfill is Christ's as well.) His invitation fordl ro parmte

b*bal

sa loob

angpagulina

sa

Anu).

of that life indicate Jesus' deep under-standing of hurnan narure. It is meant for social ordcr or ir is rnanifcsed in harmony among pecple and nations based on justice. {Katiwasayn ng hahaban at kuganaan ngbahrhayan ng baurct taoe bana")b cial order also rneilns rcstoradon of the lwe relatiocship betwecn
and God. Ferfecrion of the social order happerx people live in accordance to rhe Will of God. hurnan

t.3 Thc Parable Discourse, (Mt 13) idendfics the narure oftle kingdom:The Kingdorn sfcod has been iikened to the damel, the mustxrd seed, yeast, rreasure, pearl and dragnet.

b.irp

if

1,4 The Community Discourse, (Mc lS) describes rhe internal s.rucnre or relationships prevailing in rhe kingdom: Questions on who should b* rhe grearesr, proper witnessing, rhe losr sheep, frarernal correc-

The secular world c.*ils it politics, faith and religion call Since all autJrority and all good .o-. from God, therefore, politics ought ro mrlre rhc kingdom of

it rhe Kingdom of God.

God presenr in the world.

2. fhe feachlfig of dw Owrch

tion, ccmmuniryprayer, and forgiveness of injuries.

1.5 The End Discourse ,

(Mt 24:25) presenr rhe con-

summarion of the kingdom: The things ro come, rhe second coming of the Son of God, proper disposirion and anirudes for the judgrnenr day. The G':speis aie nor mere srories, or rhe irorcis or teaching ofJesus Christ, but more irnponanrlp rhe communirv's experience oflesus. The evangetisrc repeatedly indicated rlar rhe life Jesus led trere on eanh wes one of compassi:n and senice especidly for r-he poor and rJ.re downuodden, 'he had compxsion for rhcm, because rhey were harassed and hclple*s, like sheep wirhour a shepherd" (fu{r 9:3d). To

The Coneiliar larhers in Geudit m crSperrecognize the capabiliry of dre human prson, whose dig"iry L *o,.d i, God, to set up political order. Thrywere likewise aware that more and rnore nations "establish pr:lidcat-juridicd order in nihich personal tighm ca1 gain better protecrion."z trn the sarne documerrr, rlr.y presented a paradigm for political life, to wir: .oru thatfostcrs an inrctr sense ofjwtice, beneuolcncc and seraiccfor tht common good
and s*engtltens basit belirs abo*t the tru nature of the polincal romrnunity,

pol:tlccll

lfi$e

!f c$ta!&!lshd

5.@16lOfdergtg'megns**tor.,tlon of th; i;;-;;. tlOnfhlp betrreen hUmgn belngs und GAgI. pertectlii of the soclrrl orrfee ho;;;;
tf

him autientic freedorn is in unin.

Likewise, unirv is thc exprer.ion rrf freedom'Thus, hcwentabout doing

peeptellrelnii.;;;;;;

g.:"d and prayed, 'F*ther, rnay d-irv all be one as )'ou and I are one" (f n 17.21-22). He paid rle price. He

ffi::#.ffixr$i::"il

of beu$E l$dlultluotg, Scrrnl. public a*hoity." ![es und grgups cf, Sndlul*lr] To explicare: true political alg eftG So3mtlleg cre t xl life is a relationship ber*."n and themselyes rmecrpgble of Torg rhe constituenrc and rhe au- aregtlilg el sutly trgmgrre thorities. fu a reladonship ir influ- Gondtffcnof IEfe. TheynEtt} ences eirher fior good or for evil. raBiy seek to crggrte er l8e Howwer, the end of political life is t6j1g to c larggr eg1il!fingnlt1r to bringabour the good and the true *iii* tltef mutrelgy s$crfie rn everyperson (ang habutihang lnob tftelr glSteCtmSSS ln FfflAr tG ng bawa't tao). Since the means i" ,t . gg[lgve the greg1er SOgc8abo*
the propr treffise

cnd limix

17!t

t!a/l8t r&t,l,

t hlndtwra
end must also be good, the use oF authoriry, the rccourse ro political system, must be such that rhe cornmon good of the con$tituents is properly protected and promoted. Thc means, by themselves, trccome both the limitation and pcrfecdon of the politicai aurhority. Polidcal life is established bccausc infiyiduals, families, and groups of irdividuals and families, are by thernsclvcs incapable of creating a fully humane condition of life- They namrally seck to crcate or to belong to a larger communiry wherc
they munrally share their giftedness in onder ro achieve dre grerer go<rd. Pope John )OflII in his Matcr l.{agistra, however, re-

:
firll justification and.meaning, from which i, tine and proper right."a
lswlsof

rrnrrardt

ir

Gayd;ym et Spes clearly enunciares, "polidcal conunu_ niry exisrs for that common good in which the comrnunity

d.ri"*; p.is-

finds

tuffflstMytfl$
oftranf

levds stared.h:. d: not strictly mean that narurc bur acdvides with political connot*tion ,

The

l. Non-partisan activities, the political

for just
rs the

minds us rhat there is no better way of mutual sharing rhan by safeguardfug the common good. Thus, the need is ro creare polidcal communities.

*.o,in defense nf f,,rri* 1.f* prornotion of constirudond rights. righsor

clearlyconcerns rhe society, ,u.h ," pan;.iirtion irr 6u

scope of whfte

/.-

C Scope of Polltlcs
Oaogaima Aducw'sns describes politia as rhe science and an ofdirecring rhe affain ofpublic interest, coruidering this driefiy

There are politicai activities that affect rhe poli*cal conceprualization of social life. The Mancist ia*try aad the Maoisr ideology for instance, huuegir.n ,ir.o pclitical actions.
The wiclesr level of all is where the "polidcal, affecm cial reality, rhe sate and public lifeAr this I**l

3.

from a temporal viewpoint. It includes all the aspefis of civil life in is various secors. k exercises over rhese, a power of coordinadon and subordinarion of particular aims to the uhimare general airn of the stata The term ptido is herc raken to refer ro a number of activities whose main inrerest is rhe erercise of power: obraining it or keeping iu In rhe suictsr sense, polidcs refers to all acrivirics that have as rJreir end, or effect, to in-0uence drc disuiburion of powcr.s Poliria is dirccd)t concemcd with thc govcrnance of a barangay a town, province, ciry or a counrry, while poEdcal acriviry is concerned with the political panies, their programs and pladorms whosc purposc is to obtain power or ro keep ir Pam' activities are r&sc aimed most direcdy at fic world of pox'er and
goYerrunenL

lring yd Everfhing

E.g. rhe EDSA revoludon, the weakening of, & Philippine peso againsr the dollar, U.,* prt;ri*t Lrplicncion ofabordon, massive poyerry, "*togiol degndadoo, wars, media as rool for polidcal _rrr.i.]rsir"tion, edtr* tion towards politicd manuiry, religiots vajues cminccc in the polidcal sphere, etc.

eveqFone belong to the sphere of thepctitijis political; wery acdon ias polidcal a dimcn_

e*rp

!9n.

f:.T:,

Parryactiviti1 * :_ power' These incrudedirectly orientedto gaining and keeg, rng

the foirowing: formuration
i

pol i ti cal m achi

ne

The polirical sphere e;cends ro wider seaors" It involves fie entirery of$are conccms, \rirh all ir public serviccs, rhe impacr of political condidors on rlc socio-economic, culrural, ecological and spiritual drvelopmenu, fie polirical repercusions ofsocio-rco-

".f,", Hj::Jogistics, *tlg-l u:oregies, etc. some potidcal y{Lrcs, :unong orhers, are LAKAS-NUCD, KA}dpI, t}re Lib , 13 P*q. rhJNationaiisl parry i, ,lr" pl,itippines; DEMG in rhe u.s.q", rndon l [H::^y:-u?t,?rysarfy (PKB), Peoplet Gorkan parry :. -; . t(,r(rnitrt 1livafienrng Pa,./ (irKB), peopie,s t

ries, wh ich

a.

r.iil;;';r, J#

*f or*

nomiq culrurel, ecological conditions

180

as

well

i ;ilTl?:1*yf:'i:s in l.,dJnesia;
E:ylJyPR) vrrrnar Lommunisrs

as

religious acdviries.

iCDtI) of Germany,.

consultati,cAsConsultadve As_ Sori* 6.-J.rars (SpD) and Eas

:. .. .

:irai"IBlil

f?adds

$t&tfr,

Wl

friuofiEt P,ttt

ff,af,dfrrc
of

D. Source and End

Polltlcs '

.'

Thc source of politics is the people. Since the people have human digniry polidcs emanate from that dignity. The
root of politics is human digniry. Hurnan dignir-r rhercforc should not bc sacrificed bur rnust find narural prorection and firlfillment in the political communiry, The political coryrmunitv exisa fur thc common gnod. Aristode declares that the common good is based on the consideration that since rhc hu.man being is part ofa family and of the sate" thcrefore that which can be good for him is that which is also good for all. Since arcry human being has dig"i,y the good thar is conunon to all is human digniry. Thus a viotadon of one person's dig"i.y is a violation of the digniry of orhers rco. l,eading a surhfirl and honest life is in away a high regard for others also. Promocion of dre common good does not however mean subverdng the individual good. On the contrary, it meens gving what is due to each one as unique individuals and as members of the human fr*ily. Though no hurnan being is I= exacdy the same as another, he belongs to the human famrlywhicl: has

authority rnust Exercise its fi.rll power not arbitrarily or whirnsiolly * but as primariiy as a moral force.6
Summary of the Crmmon Good The common good comes bdore the particrrlar need of rhe iodfuidual citizeff inasrauch as

i ':' .

l. the good ofthe whole is bettcr than *re good ofiu pans. 2" the common good excee& the necessities of the individual and thereforc is rhe grearer good dlan the geod which the individual."r, byhimself.
Thus,
f

it foliows that rhe common good

".hi"r.

. is not the good of any pa-rdcular individual, 2. is not rhe sum of rhe good of rhe individual cidzcns, tt ' 3, is distinct from che good of the indiyiduel citizcns, 4, is not subardinared to the good ofthe individual cidzens.
,!

p"Ilal"= th" t"rt "t humun dignlty.

Spes embraces

inherent good.This is also known

as

the common good. Comrnon good, as stated in Gaudium et *te sum oirhosc condidons ofsocial life by which individuals, families and groups can achieve their own fuifillment in a reladvely thorough and ready way.5 For instarrce,life as gueranteed by the Universal Declaradon af Human Rights (see list in

Hannony with thc Go$d of the Indii'idual * The colrunon good is the welfare r:f all" Ir, dterefcre implicitlp is the good of each individual. The individual Irakes his particular contribudon ro The commcn Eood the realization oftie commcn go.od, ufeEfs$e of, cll. which when achieved, benefits him in return by afiFording him a well-being which he cculd not atrain by himself.
{i ,

ls tha

eomnren good, ss stoted ln App""di* B) is a right af every perGoudlum et Spes ernts*eces son, which ought to be promoted the sum of thosB cendltlons and prorected nor only against aborof soclsl ltf tsy whleh lndts don bur also from death as punishvlduqi*, filmailes onel gtstps rncnt for a heinous crime comrniteun eichlere tlrelr own ftrlfi lts ted. To infringe on.one or rwo liv'es

3he Cornmon Good in Concrete The bonam commanc is ihe welfue of al!, or rhc well-being of all. Material go*ds arc instrumettwl to our well-being, which howevcr, do nor consist iq material prosperiry. &scrt;ltty our well-being is found in rhe .common good peaple live up to. Participation in the Ccmmon Good- One is endtled to benefit from the common good prop*onionare ra the ceinri'burion one has made'towards its iqlizarion. The rnininxm each one tnay expect is a sufficiency of rhosc goods (marcrial, culrural, Spiritual) which are necssary m live r lif.."rr*"ant wirh our human digniry for rhar is rhe very purpose why peoplc live in
185

rnent !n n retutlYely
.

thor

is to pur the enrire humaniry at rislc

ougtt and ready wCIr.

182

Since the common good is

rhe goal of political communiry and

::

: -.;-1

.l

,.

:,-., ,r.ljl

lffit8Osbtgrs'{flr?t,oknsrf sociery. Differentiation inasmuch

as

lHflotg&
the nccd to build up the international communiry which ought ro protecE the common good.to To wit:

in benefits is due to principles of distributive jusdce and for the sakc cf the coflrmon good i$e6
incentivcs are needed for drc promotion ofprogresc
Paccm

1.

Thc immed.iate elimination of the carxes of dissension;

Grgater cooperation of nadcns. Rich nations ought ro assist poor ones withour srings ettached;
I

in Ttris strcsscd that thc cortmon good considers the good of thc whole person, gives attcnrion to the lcss &$unere members of thc socicry rad promotes thc metcrial
and spirirual wd&sc of

2. 3.

all.-

Mttcr

ct Magisttu

further rycdficd thc dcmands for thc

International organizations ought to fostcr uniry, and uphold human.righr and firedorn. Thry ar. not ro ecr as supre posrers birt as coordinaring councils.

cotnmon goods

as folloq,s: G.

l. 2.

Provision ofcmploymcnt and wage. The person is given oppoffuniry to exercisc his orrn capaciry to direcr his own life and srxtain thc nccds ofhis &mily.
en

PollflcalAutn0firy and Pollflcal parfielpaflsn

1. CMI

Aufrtow
Oigin afAathoity
dre abstract, civil audhor-

Propcr care for the less privileged This includes thc sick and the wealc physically psychologically and inrclleccually. Sincc thcse peoplc have ao means to protect themselvcs, rhe punuit for thc cornmon good is achiened if thcy are nor lcft unattended Provision for rhe furure of individuals and families. They should be ailowed freedom of action, so far as this is possible, rvithour cndangering the common good and

l.l

-ln

ity originares from God,

inasmuch
as

God, creat-

ingman social in nanrre,

3.

irnplicidy willed societ)'

and the aurhoriry wirh-

?he cornmcn gcofl Bnd ttr gttglnment, ls honrwer" prl msrlly thg cGnern Bf the people urho3e gsod the GOBl?mOm gSeG ls.

out which sociery czurnor amain its purposc- Concretely, ar-rthority em4narp( from *re pcople, the -m& Tecrofauthoriry. Authoriry is posnrlared f,or rhe com-

without injuring ?r!!ne.e

Thus the fulfillmcnt of palidcs is achieved, if and when rhc cornmon good is protectcd and promcted. Good potridcs seet<s nor only riac **rich is good for rhe majority but thar which ernpcwers fie weaksr, eruichcs r}:c poorxt and nmes the pmud and rhe haughry. Selfuhncss and grced built in societal strucrura destroy the polidcal order and viol*rc human digrury. But jr"rstice Gcod trofffites Becks no't onilr tftrt uhlch ls gcscl fcr ilre and chariry are the fortress of thc

mon good and its anainment. The comrnon good

and its ariainmenr, (aleady d;scussed) are primarily the concern of the people whose go,od rhe co:rrmon good is.
1

.2

nncloslfi but thst wtrlcfr en* powerr the treolrost, en-

sociery.

ttlmes the Frosd snd ths

hrlughty.

rlrhes tha poorcst cnd

Thc common good has globai dimerxion, such*rat the justand proper disribution of goocis is donc
for rhe common good of narions and
the world- Gaudium a.Spas erpiicates

Tlse Prso n ir Autheiry* The person(s) in authoriry over the srate con$equcrtly has been invested wirh aur}ority by the people. Once conferd, autheriry cannot be taken back excepr under ccrain cnnditions and according go certain procedures. The comrnon good cannor be achievrd unicss thcrc is rhe mabiliry of authority.

necessary. Someone

To keep uniry amidst pluraliq/, palidcai aurhority is ought to ssnd as the rallying point of &e
185

184

lo*erfi {,r&.tfrtr

'
Sodat

:'nr"

r.:"_ '_

.:r.----.nald.${

lwffirei/jt

i3&rc,i'M,c'

peoplc. Again Gzudiurn er Spes indicared the foilowing with regards to the role politicai authoriry, to wir:
... must disposc rhe energies of rhe wholc citizenqy toward the cornmon goo4 not mcciranically and dcsporically bur primarily as a moral forcc which dcpends on frecdom and thc consciearioru dischery of thc bur-

2"

Non-violent active resisrance is licitwith respect ro laws *rat arc evidendy uniust.
Violent resistancc may
3"1
be

a-

licir in thc follorring situadons:

in

case

of usurpation of aurhoriqc the people and

T",*:derraken-u Nodcc thar the political authoriry is morally bound to perform the msk ofpursuing the common good. The arisrencc thcrcfore of civil autJrorities is based on its realization of the good of all. Authoriry is proper to a politicai socicry. Public authoriry and political cornmunity are based on human narure. As such they too belong to the divine order of things. Though rhe selecdon ofgovernmenr and rhe method ofchoicc ofleaders are left to the free wiil of the people {Rm 13:l-5) Thus, the funcdoning of public authoriry is considered good if it does not vida;a the \[rll of God. It also follornrs rhat the bound of civil authorities are rhe moral precepts, the common good and according ro a juridical order that enjoys legal status. When such is rhe case, the cirizens are morally bound ro obey (Rm 13;5). This is rherefore -.hc bxis of the responsibiliry dignity and imporrance of those who lead.
1.3 Resistance against Atthority It follows from rhc above that z usurper das nor hold authoriry legirimarely, nor is aut-horiry excrcised legirim*rely if some one in authoriqr abuses his power" Resistance cenbe p*siuc, through disobedience , ar dctiuc" Active resistance may use aiohnt means or non-vio-

dcns ofany officc which

dre legidmatc au$oriries havc thc righr ro resist rhc usurPer.

3.21* case of abusc of authorirp violent resisrancc liar only under dre followiog condidons:

is

3.2.1 rhe abuse is serious, certein and inmlerable because of rhe damage inflicred on rhe common good"
3.2.2 violenr res:.sance may be considered only
che Iast resorr.
as

3.2.3 success musr bc reasonably surc. 3.2.4 rhcre must bc proporrion berween dre good to be expecred and che means resomed to.

It is rhe polirical cornmuniqywhich holds the pourer ro regulare public aurhoriry Ir can counrercheck rhe systern used by rhe leaders in managing stare affairs. Fope John )CffII in Patcm in Tirris sresses rhar rhc Starc shouid afford dl rhe cidzens rhe chancc to pardcipare Fee!.,. arrd

ac*,ely in establishing

the consriturional bases ofa polirical communiqr goveming the staren deterrnining rhe scope and purpose ofwrious institurions and choosing leaders. Thu+ all cirizcns must be mindful of dreir

lenr means.

righr and dury ro vore freely in rhc interes.r of promoting rhe corrrmon good. Thy are rhe prirnar)'history rnakem. (Scc Af pndix A * Univcrsal Declaration of,Human rughn)
2. NghE and &jdel of {tvfi

The following principles apply:

krfiwnfg

l.

Passivc resisrance is licir wirh respect to laws rhat are evidentiy unjust. Resistance may be mandatorT if rhe unjusr law prescribes whar is prohibired by divine law or natural law.

Gdudium,et.$rs prscr.,rrs rhe Fellowing guidcline;

l.)

Aurhoricies musr assist and provide dre Famitrp social or culrurd gn}ups as qdl:s intermediare bodies and insri-

pramore righrs willingly

186

rurions, rheir own lewful and effrdve activities and *"d in en ordertry fashion.
18V

'i

tlH*

Olitdfl/t

Wrl

nyob?Itx,rt

,cer?nno&fr

2.)

Bccause of the incrcased cornplcxiry of modern circum-

2') christiaru

to intcrrrcne in social and economic affairs, by way of,bringing about rhe condidons more likelyto help cirizcns end groups &eely ettain whet is needed ro attain human fulfillmenc wieh grsrter efferrl' 3-) \Phcn righs
a.re temporarily cnftailed on behalf of the oommon good, it should bc rcstored as quickly as possible after rhc emergency passes" In any casc it harms hurnanirywhen goyemment dLes on toalitarian or dictarorial forms injurious ro rhe rigbrs ofpersons or social

stences, governrnent is required

wirness to their scnsc of dury and servicc ,",*oar?. adwnccment of rhe comnnon gpoA T"hel, ought m s}16lw

on theirpar have rheir personal and spccial vmation in rhe polidcal They ought * gr.

?p-*irl.
co

in practicehowaut$oriq.is

bchanxro"ir.a

tholc

diversiry.

dona, personal initietivc rvirh duc consi&redon for 6c socid body, and &c nccded unity wirh bcnfidel

*iA

mo-

3,) Cluistians ouglrr

gfi)uPs.

4.) Governments ought to allorr thc righa of all persons,

hmilies and associations, alongwi&,the exercise ofthose righm, be recognized, honored and fostered This is also called the Principle of Subsidiariry.

4J

to rccognizc rhat drere maytc conflicing vilurs in thc jusr pursuit of temporal ,ii*o bur hoTT dg"iry is the binding force of ,ho*" di$erenes. Differences can become oppomrnities for growth. Thus, they should respfi rleir feUow citizcm wheo rhcy promotc such vicws honorably, evcn drrough group acdons.

5.) Provide material

good requires.

and spirirual services that rJre common

5.) Polidcd parties should fosrer &c common good. Bur they should never prcfer their oor, ;, "dr"rr"rug* rJris gaod.

6.)

Polidcat aurhoriry must observs the standard for respect for *re difiFerences ofperspecdves and orpressio* oirh. consdtuenrs. This should rnan, respec for whar is inherently and legidmately due to each person.
Clfrzens

6.) Civic and political education is neccssary for the peryle ro&y, espeeidly youg peoplc- Such jucati." rt be painstakingly providcd so &at aII citizcns ",ii ; *rk their conuibution .o thc political communiry. Thme

:f:

3. PlgilE and Dufles af

&. 6q.:

Fc

f*. &r

Popc Pius XII advocares consciendaus ccaperation bc_ tween cidzens. For ir ro be achieved effectively and efficiently, a posirive sysrern of law is required. This enails an e*abiishrnent

t#
g

of a division of gavernmental roles and insdrutions and, ar rhe same rirne, of an effective and independenr syfiem for the protection of righru.

l.)

who are suited for ir or can bccorne so, prepare rhern_ selves for rhe difficulr bur rhc *or. horooble an of potridcs. They oughr ro.rcrcisc rhis arg s7i1i1o,r, ,t ough, ofpcrsonal convenience ,'d wit-hour bencfir of bri#rPrudendy and honcrably, let rtrem fighr again$ inj; tice and cppression, the arbitraay RULE oiorr. _*o, one parry, and rhc lack of toierancc. Lrr *rem devorc rhemselvs to rhe wd&re of ell sincerely and frnt; ded qdth end polidcai ccurage

Citizens should develop a generous a.nd lcyal devodon for rheir country, widrout being roo parochid. In orher words, r-hey must alwap look ar and efter to the welfuc of the wholc human family, wirhout prejr.ldice ro race, creed or culr.

"h*iqr

4.

frsBffirr SsrHer aM

ewg

ffiM

Iems, likc econornic shoruge, does nor merely besct one coun-

Nadons are now nnlnng rorv"errds rhc s+called "Slobnlizadon,'which has bccn *rr.*ir.d &om rhc f"o J"i'p;;

188

l'rE?rB3 {trlssB? $ed3j

{lrui}E"?Eii

:t
and is not esrra4ged from thc orher dimersions ofsocid life. Thus, we see fcr instance, thc ernergence European EconomicCorurcil and thc

All Stqtes .lre by",nplure q$.rl ln dlgnlty.

ry

Asia Pacific Economic C-oordination among others, for oounsics with zuch aprobiern. Weha,re intcrnadond to deal organizations likc the Unircd Nadons World Heelth Organiz:tian and others, that are supposed to assist coondinate and countries ilr their dwelopment projats and arc nor suPra-Pot#ers srcr any nation. Morc and more, human b.iop sce thc need ro link up with other nations in order to lcarn and share human, n^anrrel and technological resources

T1eguadianofdivinclife in dl human b"it gs, the C,adro lic Church, recognizrs rhis need She reminds us that dl the States arc by nature equd in dignity.taThis means that wery Sate has rhe right rc eiristcnce, to self-gavcrnment, self-denelcPrnent and to be primarily responsible for im deneloprnenE.rs Since the States are alsa subject to rights and duries, the relationship between States must be harmonizcd in truth, active solidariry and freedom, thereby eliminating the evils of racism, the selfish pursuit cf development *rrough oppression of the poor and weak States, and rhe degradation of human &ecdom rhrough strict ideological adherence. Thus, authendc pcace and prosperiry among narions is founded not on equaliq- of arms but on free and murual trust.t6
5. Nndlple and Faufidedon af
------:m

dElrlty, euertr Hr:uon SUBSIDIAFJTY. By thc principle of solidar- ls oBllg6d to eontH&E iqy, cveryhuman beingis obliged ro ttrssomm0ntreodof contribute to the common good of elett !n fill Sts !*llseHs. &e socicy in all its levels. Thercfore, individrrrli-<s1 is unwarrantcd in aII forms of hunan cndeavors. As a corollary, protracing and protcctiug rhc inrcgriry ofctrativcness ofewry individual cirb-n fu dle good rhar affrss not dl organizations in general Through dre principle of subsidiarirf, thc Sarc or any society is prohibited from usurping whar individuds or communitics can do for dremselves ar their own lwel- Thu.g ccllectivism is contradicory to this virnre As corolla"rics rhe farmers may organize their cooperatives *irhaut fea"r cf being herassed
goYernmenr agency; sehools may be fourded by private individuals or groups widrour unduc inrcrfcrence &om any outside auchoriry by

digniry, ?rr. rhe principle SOUDARITY and the principle

hqm*

of of

8y th prlsrcEple oS s$ll-

&!re tB trE trlG*

*y

or r?n by the gor,emmenE. Reli-

tultfral ltfe

The supreme cornmandof lovc lcads to &e firll rccogrncnt among mutlcns 13 nirion of, ehe dignity cf each indi So$rlded met on eqt clEltf of vidual, creared in acccrdarce to arn s hut on free Srnd tmu- Godt image" From rhis digniqy protri{ll trust. ceed the narural righu and durics. Freedom, nor hcdonism or ana.rchp is rhe essential prcrogadve of rhe human being. [r is nnanifested if persons arc acdve and responsible subjects of social [ife.t7 Indntarcly lint{cd to t}re foundadon of sociel fifc, or

Autglcntlc pesrse ond pres.

gious beliefs and freedoms of individuals that are nor detrimenal co the common good should be rcspecred. A tcacher is good if she is ablc ro impart new, dynamic and chdJenging perspectives tc her studenr in a morally sound wav'. Bur she is berter, iFshe inspires. The learning primaril;r belonp ro drc srudents, rhe teacher c:rnnot lcarn for rhem.
6.

ats the prlnclpla of subsldEarltlr, the 3fttee o? lrlIlr soe[fu ls prohE&t8ecl For irgurslstg whllt lmcllvlclsre& Gf &SSmtnE nltlgs ce!r! dCI Fffi themselve3 6t thelr auflil lexel.

perlty

$f3rte tuludgtng
'd*,el

$traffins, ffimsan#S)stEflrs

One of rl=. p-Ut"*s rhar perpcruarc evil in soeiery is undcrstand"ing of rhe masures ro judge a siruadan or srflrcnrre or s:srcm. I.{,:re often, people Fenictrlar wuuld conrenr rhemsclves wiri'rh; oppressive siruarion by a faalisdc ardrude and worse, by acceprirg it as God's tesr of {&eir Saith. Thus, rhey would rar}rs remain vicrirns of injus-

rie lack of propcr

.. -i

lbt,/flrt otrrw.,

wl

tdrf,ruf[

firar!of ffidtr

tice.Theworst is, injusrice is perceived as the predcstinadon of

a powerless lrcrson'

to equip ourselves towards a more responsivc and expcdient socid maasformadon, it is imperative that we do not only knorw the "whats" but also the criteria for judging thc situ-

'

Th;,

Sincc it is true that eyerywhere in thcworl4 *mcn:resesablished For dre gCIod of thc pcoplc:rrc

.ations,.strucarres and

qrctems."'

Social iwatiotts,' econotnic andpolitical lifc aruby thcmsclva neccwry Hornnwer, if the organi'ations become mcchanical and architectoniq thcyparalpc bttmanfrrefuw groutth and htdapmcat Since the organizations are basicallyof, and cnliv-

sscreeT. by thcinsclves incapable of sccuring hclrmh ef the and promotin$ thec good, it is impoftrnt that Sc citizcns elect into leadership officc rnen and women of moral it.cgriq'- Moral inregnty is a neccssarycondition for the heal& of dre sccicry. Sin is at dre root of every uniust situadon. It is inryimbly cxperienccd in all stmcnrrs and systcms where hurnan bcingr are. Thus, we speak o{ social in ar.d stn$fi.w of sinTo work simultancoushr for the conversion of hears and changes in the strucnrres, here and now, is an imperetive for the sociery to be transformed into the Kingdorn of God.re and We also know of siEuarions whereby ideologies given priority. Ideologies, more often, a-re ud are not people by th" ideologucs m manipulate public opinion and pecplc"s will. Thus, to support thern, or to remain passive about them, make us petpetrators of thet et/il. Indeed, rhe work ofhuman libcradon and deyclcprnent implies a clear undcrstanding of priorities that are in consonance with d:e hicrarchy of values, persond and cornrnune.l conversion and aking up concrete acdons.
8. Gutdellnf5

!. cr neces' sory condltlon Sor the

;60rcl Int8g,fit?

6y, hurnan bcinp, drey are held responsible forwhatn'er "ned the outcome, lnstitudons and laws'are respecdtrl of hurnan freedom if and uthm tbey arc in conformity with thc ad*ml ha' and arc gearcd awards the prcmotionoftbc nmmon good" Thercfore, wl tnnot speak of sinfirl strucues' as PopcJohn Paul emphasizcd inltn Ccntirsimus Annus, but smlcturs that arc marked by sin' As corollaries: the presencc of graft and corruption in tlre act of paylng uxes may make the Bureau of Intemal Rsvcnlre (BIR) a pe{peuator of the sin of dishonesty and stealing. Albciq thc

office of the govcrnmenl Ccnscquendy, people are rendered powerless when they are used by some scherning individuals and/or pardes for selfish inrerests'

btn ir a necessarr

7. PdnacY

of

Petsans

0vet Sfucures

ftrffin

or rt !s Ehe tgwflll for pressed to tcke uctlon througth nrorsl mesns to seeure struturas und lnst!' tutlons where ttrelr rlghts
rcspected.

The priority given to structures and teehnical organizadon over the person and the reguirements of his digniry is rh* orpression of a materialistic anthropology and is conrary to t}e canstruction of a just socid order.rs On the o*rer hand, thc reognized prioriqrof fuedom and of conthG version of hcans secs rhe need to change suncturcs ard sptrns of injustice. Theref,orc, it is larful for thc cion Smugh nloral oppresscd m
means to scurestrucrurcs end institutiors wherc rhcir righcs are rsPected
"ekc

8.1 The principlc and foundation ere themsclves the critcria for judgmcnt, are Lhe bascs of the guiddinc$ for acdon. Since rhc common good of human socicty is at rhe

of rhe pcople, thc means cf action must bc in canforrniry with human digri.y and rhat which facilitatc aurhentic undcrsranding and the use of frecdom. In a capsulc Thtrc tan bt no trae libtraion if tk;gha and frtcdoms' ofpcop lcs *rc flo t rspecrcd
scrvicc
|

8.2 As Chrisdans we qrn assist our sociery in artaining a polidol will rhe cthics ofwhich is oricnted towards rhc good of all thc peoplc and the Nfill of God. Thus, to be

Christian is to ralce the fundamenml opdons of jesus

195

l6p:3rs.$ *:,trf&ar?

.wr"i s,rxr,ryfy$r

To be chrlstlsn ltE to tatr(e thG funrtclment.ll optlGns

o,f Jesu! und to work llke }flrrr, lsthBr thsrn slmFly re

scot whtrt ile has

serle uElLrF the words h ltsed ot @lill exffiI:I Hls uetlons"

and to w'ork like Him, rather rhan simpiy repeac what He has said using rhe words he used or coPY exacdyHis actions. Heshows us awaY of being sons.and daughtcn of thc Father, who are ,I*")rt oPen to the vocadon that comes from Fiim, ai-

ways at prayar and alwaP Senerous and full of passion in giving ourschresa for rhe wark of &c Farhcr on bchalf of all peoplcsa

g" f0 be Chrlsdans ln

ffn ftH,ent Hffnetrt af our HtstotY

How can we do today what Jesus did in His drne, that is" hov can we enter profoundly into history and ransform it? To do enactly whatJesus did is to put ourcelves in the siruadon thar.was His, and not to betray drc movement of the lncarnation. Neither is it the question of taking His understanding of drc world to the lcner sioce Jesus, as a man of His dme, assumed rhe vision of rhe world and hisrory thar was the prcduct of a definite epoch and the &uit of a certain qfPe of socio-political analysis. we ought ro take up His single-mindedness in the work oith. Father, His sryle of doing rhing:, His fundamenal opdons and uanslatc thesc into our siruations' tiilhat does it mean today to announcc that God has a loving plan for people in our country and to show peopie tire signs of His saving actl The correct rcsPonse to this quesrion demands first an aurhenric analysis of sur siruation, using thc most appropriate means available, such as pclidcal science, ecanomics, arrthopolory, sociology, ctc. Thesc will help trs deecrmine who are the margindized, the oppressed and the scruc-

abie ro give concretc responses to dris fundamenral qucsda Truly searching for rhese responses is the process of socio'-poliical-ecanorriiciliscemment which everF communiry shurld cmy our, in union with rhe hierarchy of the Church, whoscrole isro aflnounce constandy the Word of God as a gift ro us ,t.l &n give final ronfirmation to our discernmenr but not m indi'-e aoflcrete solutions.2! The whole procss of gronth of a mamrc 6ie has *B effcct of crcating in us a funda"mennl atrirudc of mrth md f,re dom, so that we can look et reelir,r rdrhout preir.rdice :rod g dlow ourschcs to bc chellcng.d by rhe wond of thc [d, hvL ing us to take up His basic opdons and find fcrr roday, rhr Esponscs that give flesh to God's plan ofsalvadon m all FfspoSc. This is an invitation ro follow Chrisr the Redeerner, 6 d.mes be creativc like Him, to love truly like Him and to faceconffirr, perhaps er/en hilure and dearh, but always fiiled with bp" Iit Him, so as to be a so*-rce of new li[e, like Him. In the light of all we havc said, we can under*aredl &e words of thc Lord: *ckfnt thc Kngdom of God and I{s jesfu and all thxc thing uitl bc giucn anto !cu. Do we feel acomp& ling call to anncunce, in words and deeds, rhe K.ingdorn o$Cod and His justice to our people roday?
F.

Sumrnary

To be human is tcl be rauonal, to be rariond is to be moral, rherefore to be human is to be moral. Since

3s gsscl *r m fnr ce pratacts ffi8 ffisrrsteg It huEflon dlg*ltgr rmts rlghtc.

l*ol[tlcs

dre hasis ofpolirics is the human being e&d since ro be hunnaa be rnoraj, &ereforc polidcs musr be moral- It becomes immod

is*

wlxn the digr,y and rlre good of all rhe people

tures and/or systems drat slicnate people from one anor'lrer' lfhar we do rvill be quire differcnt from the drne ofJesus when people were generaiiy not awa"rt oFthe strusmral dimensions cf problerns and oppressions-

are disnspeffid" Folirics is gpod in so far as ir protecrs and promores hum*n dgnly and righrs"

Jesus

and our fundamentrl opriorx which are inspired by the ceamplc of or impressed it * by the Floly Spiric, then we should be

If wi bring togerlcr the analpes of our siruadon

All authcriry proceed &orn Gcd- His authoriry;s raar*ftsted in mission end scrvice. Since polirics is a share of, *e authoriqy of God, ir should alsb be orienred rowards tlrerealization of God's Kingdom here on EarrhThe transformarion of rhe worid happens whcn poli*

6,*!-+ij:i

.:

r,r-:i:-r_ijiii?:r:isr;;iii;+:!!fa_iirffi;frj;:i;i:i i \ -

i{r,arf-od/f'tr,,rsfffir]*f,frrfnf

9.) Ifyou will b a politician, what kind will you bc? Make a set ofworking principles on which you will base your pladorm. Ifycu arc a citizcn, what kind of cidzcn will you bcl What criteria will pu usc to choosc 1,our officials?

Cruprcn

t0")Makc an aaalpis of our polidcal siruation (local ang glob"l}. Identify the pr,oblems, thc root of the problems,
rhe supporting mechanism, the possible s<rlutions and your concrete plan ofacdon"

f;hunuh ilnd $tate Belati$m$

a lr{TR0oucnoil
'Whcn Church lay leaders, religious and clerry xpose the injustices or e-riis in a sociery, like grsft and comrpdon, xploiation of human and natural resource$, inequitable di$ributicn of weakh and serviccs, greed for power, etc., the mmmon reaction of many pcople can be captured in one word 'inrusion,' The Church is non-chalandy considered as intruder in rhe aftirs of sociery which means, thc Church docs nor know how to We sc, respefi the scparad,on ber*een herself pilnclples, economlcs and dre Smtc. Diametrically opposed out modenrlte luetlce to this pcrccprion, however, is a view IIfe

polltlcs wlthorrt wlfrGnd"

tiut

rrlthoutfulfh.

she, as an

Insdrurion is an dly to

tlre perpcrarors of injusticc in sociery by her sluggish response orrlrorsc by aprhy or non-involvement. Sorne Chureh leaders roo, difier in opinion about the rnarter. Some ars beholden ro rhe stricr and rigid separation of Church and Sate, at ali cost. That is, to saythc least, it is alright for thc Sure ro piunder the nation's wcalth and enslaye rhe poor children's future because the main concern of the Church anyway !s pffeh spirirual and religious. This kind of attirude is

cultic and pietistic. On d:e side of rhe State, there are rhose kedeEs who $eern ro inrerpret the so callcd separation of Church and Sute by anending Holy Mass on Sundap but live a life of

1S)

--- {
To,'auf'6r,5&|.$drficEurs

wirhout Fairh.
.We

grafr and corruprion on weekdays. Thus we see, polirics wirhour principlcs, cconomics wirhour moderare jusricc and, life

e!,,ds,{pe{rthn

ask thc following anerpirne wc are confronred by confirsion over rhe mrnen Is the Chuch suboridinarc ro rh* Srarc or vise versa? Whar propagared thc wrong nodons about rhc scperetion of Church and &erci In *tarircas *n), rlrt rr or eoncedc to one or &e o&cc shoutd it bc r.p.r.ion or chu,ch and scarc or good relations be*/een church'and stare? Up to this cybernetic age, rhc relarion bcrwcen rhc Church and che Sate has becn deemed a problem b), *;t catholics and non-Catholics alike. The ,ooio* ,f n'ur$ ir che oppositions encounre*d by dre c.athoric crrurch is rhar her teaching abour the reladonship berwecn Her and dre starc has nor becn properly understood, if not toally miscoostn-rcd. The miscoaception boils down to drc lack of some appropriarc orplanadon as ro what ir means and whar ir does ;; *;This chapter deals wirh *re basic undcrsanding of trrc rcladons berween rhe church and starq and rhe righ";"a J.dcs of each, nor only towards one anorJrer b,r. ,ior" i*p*r_ randy, tawards r}le pcople, who compose borh entiries.
B. HEAftISG OF CHURCH AT{D STATE RELf,NOHS
.,.

licly recognizcd. ffi"*:ff"?j:""rrne, During the mdi1al dmes, rhe Church and Stare b* on power. The altar and throne were;,d Darkfues rikewise incruded ,*r-

*.flr*:x3 :: l' r t" ;** :i*;;x:#ffi **rx::":: :1which arrowed-Ci;ffi;;"i"'Hftf *:,* r"* !;;#'*tr;ffiHff
"q;*oisJ.;;I**ff ;Jil.Iil. A;;*il ci**'i;& * u-x#""
;;
alb*
r
j f

I1":flS,rnded

by the Second person of rhe BlcssedTiini

*:j*fl*.",. *f,ro

ch*dan constitution af suarrii a nonn cn the rerarionship of the church:and rhesee'This enqycJical ates the basic principles regardi"*
object of the State and

';

&sts 0f $t w

wt#ifft $t chur$ eN

iae

l.*T*
rypL

had one sourc: Yahweh.

elrer of rhe Israelires, religion and polidcs werc closely linrced yahweh was believed ro be rac onc who anoinred dre lcadcrs and kinp of trsraei iike sauj, David and Solornon. Thc prophers lilsc Amos, Isaiah, and were rhe spokespersons of yahweh nor only ,o ,h" bur to rhc royalry as wcll. Thus, religton polirics

In ancienc rimes, parricularly

*d

o$ ffre Eelrr6;;l* *o*, [,:,:m.l1f..f**,,*poor *J] drntenslo8tg riu cr 4fi. ,,*rh endtie$ erist because . o,s lrse whffe $re ofGodicreativeantrsarvifre ;; itot* rs rnc*rryrge &,, ehe such thry are originaity **i f", iennpor11l uEetf,gre gg# all. harmony
tr

a, a,,rlruol, In an obvious struggle ro recwn to r-he origin of social order, dre Church thro,rgf,*h., f*JJr'.*plrasizcd rhat borh shc and the State have dre"primrrr.;;;., protect and prornorc diglir/ *Jl .,*u.n. rhe church rs the guardian ad,'n. of the spirirual ,"rra moral dimensions of life *tit. th* ?lqc eh$Fch Is trte

rhc same surprised the world with his Social Rcrum Notarum is a lroof d_rar rhe Ei*r".1, i. an a,rthor;ry i fairh anci morals in any hurnan ."ao"lor, be rr perscn"l - ' J', u! ir pcrsonar o, so_ or so cial, politicai, economic,

Towards the end of rhe tgrh cenrury,

"r."; J: *Irrc authority acd ir, ,.Lio*'r;;. Chunch.

n"*r:rii'n

;
i

*iir*il_"

popq

ol

Iy

il; Iijr

su@rllnr?

In rhe NcrrTcstarnenr, paul in his lcacr ro rhe Romans, qhorrs dre chrisrians to folrow cir"itr *urhcriry because ic iikewisc comcs from God. Tlsere is no a*hoiry xcrytfrom God ard dwc ttyt aist haat been insti*tcd by Gd. C-olonidism separatcd the rwo enrirjes. \phen rhc Roman ernpire took palestine, religion wes subordinared roo.
?00

i;;^d;*;'L"
.

g*ia el,.rt!g exlgt*wcuEe o;- ;; 6od's crassrse $,,Gr H:f"$;rt , sglyl$Ie act. As susgr they The basis rhe church and. stare ts proximatelv' sre srlsleally ms*r** fsr ,Ili".of
in rhe serviec ofa0 human the love or tie

ro these

anri uirimarclr., Gc.d.

?H::f"* "r,tities,h. p;;;;;;

66*monv !n t*e strske &r ell human be8rws qtr rr ffre of, the omnlgrerteme 6ne.

-".

L-:]

.A

r0fru/d6On&tbrrs&trflfieatsnt

axfirt,dffiftsfigir The af-orementioned is deduced from rhc foilowing

premises:

promotion of,the ell that Hc creared and,loves so dearly. It is rhisTrurh rhat ought to be their binding forcc as fiey servc not dcminare, care not ralrsgress, and lead not degrade.
2 Jutgtttcfron 0f
tfie

l)

(fiurct eut tfie S?,E However, rhe Church and Sate arc rwo distincr orgarrizations. As such thcy have rh& spocific aature, aims, areas of rcsponsibilides
and spheres.

Wlthout nscessa?lly d:lirg, the Church Is especlslly dsslEntlted bY the &$thof

The Church is a disdncr sovereign endry:ri& independent, spe<ific aims, wirh hicrarchical o$aaizsdon and v'isiblc membership found aII over t&c wodd end are initiates of both: a faith and a governmcar
The Smrc is nor thc only supreme orgarization in dre
worldTheStarc,is nor rhesou.rceand origin ofall dghr,t nor thc determinanr of right and wrong. The **reipry

tfrotornlzlal ttrs hurnor bc-

2)

\ilidrout

neccssarily

di-

mGtters th.It EfFect rlrtln splrltuolly :rnd nrorally, wlreress clull slutherlty
oug,lrt to suststn h$mcnfilf s

of Errthorltr to deE[ wlth

chotomizing the human being the Church is apecidlydcsignated by the Aurhor ofaur}oriry rc deal with matters that affect man spirimallv and rnorally, whereas civil aurhoriry ought
to sustain humaniry's temporal needs. Again Fope trrc XIIi maintains rhat:

of the State is not limited, but is circurnscribed wi&in irs orvn area, limired by its proper funcdons and rmhods of operations. k is like a housc is a hous bur not a home, and a perfrcr squlre is a square in ir Er^rr qual sides. To Popc tr*o XIItr, rhis is a complete revssa! of
the Theory of State Absolutism.

tempoFsl needs.

Now we

see

the distinct identity

ofsch.

Fach one

wi6in

uirltid uthich it is canuiacd Limit that are dcfwd b7 rhe ,za*rr and spcckl objcct of tk prwincc af cub, so *at iirc?c ;r, uE i?za! 5a1 afxtd arbit, within zabih ritc otrion
ofcach is brought into piay by

Thc Almighty has apportioncd thc charyc of thc human racc befiiteea ruo pouErt, thc ccclcsiastkal atd tk citil thc onc bcing sa oucr diyinc and thc otha oser h*rnan thingr. Each in ix kind * ttpftmc, catb hat ftxed limits

its own sphere is a perfe* scciery, exisdng not by vimre ofrhe goodne*s or need of,one or r:he orher. Bur aithough rhe Church like the Scarc, is a perfe<rsociety, neirher of them is an absolute sociery.2 The Statc is not coextensive with sociecy"r Besides the civil societla thcre b also a religious one, as well as a clornestic sociery In rnan, Iiktrryise, there are two distincdy separare spheres a iemporal sphcre
and a spiritual sphere. The State takes cognizance ofd:e fibrmer and the Church ofche laner. Neirherof rhem has cnrirecontrol over the whole man. Each musr respect *re orher's sphcre.

oaun

right.

The nno enrities ought to complement each orier and not be adversarial widr one anorher. Howarer, each is supreme in irs own field. Thus, the ecpenise of e.ch has ro be pmperiy dcfincd and delineated. Fo[owing rhe Saviort prescripdon- ftrzda n Qarar wh* belongs a Gasar and ta Gsd, u,h* belonp to God, ?*pc l",eo XIII idenrifics:
Wbat cuer lrumat in things is of samd ckra*rr, tiof *c cnd * whict it is ,*rrc{ p the sa/aation af sauls or p rhc twnhip of thc Clnae*- Whatcutt is u be rdnged an&r tbc cidl azu! po-

drr of its ouln nat.re or b7 rcason

lirical ordcr

* igbt$ suhject ro chtil

aathoriry-

The Church has no aurhoriry, dirccr or indirect, orvcr theSeld of purely remporal affairs, nor has she anr jurisdicdon or desire to interfere in all that perreins to civic rrelfere, sc long as it is not ir-r confliet with rcligion and moraliry, ofwhich slx is the guardian. in *re words of Fope Leo, the Cirurch ind declares rliat ail rhinp belonging ro the civil crdcr * *der the po$/er and supreme authoriry of *mporai nrlers. Pope Paul YI in Populorum Progressio ssres d:ar in &e present day, individual and group effort widrin r}re cauarics is no ionger enough. The world siruation requirs the concrcre
x!3

?02

,j :r :_:::::tlr!tiiii,;if

i_:irI.in5:#ryi*!:r

. ..

.,,".,,e19i1

la*ild'dr'sda,rWttfrotftitp/jt

ftrdlgSd?&ft
efforr of everyone, a thorough oraminadon of arery area of rhe problem:

?he Chulch, therefere, crs the Sllcrament of Jasus ehfiBt tros the dut!/ ac be tr?. volred wlth thG lntegl"r[t Irumcn llEerotlon ond dr ueloFnilcrrt.

social, politicd, economic; culrural

and spirirud.The Church,which has

Thus, thc State is duty bound to be responsible for che promotion of the socio-polidcal order,.economic sabiliry, rcliious &mdorn and ecological balanca Vetican Ccuncil II gives incs on how authoriry ought m bc grercised, bad frorn

long cxperience in human affairs and hes no desirc to bc involved in the

&cBiblied t*chtngr Wltocao amtd ieruant (Mt 20 :26) ; To wir:

be

gff*t

dt?tot tprr*

rn*t bt

political acriviries

af

any nation,

'secls bur onc goaJ: to carryfiramd thc wo* af Cbrist un&r thc bd of tbe bsiffiding SpiAt" CM* cntend thfu twrll * giac witness ta &e truti: io sayc, not judgr, to serl'c, not to bc sentcdq But rhis docs not mean rhar rhc church should be abrclutely indifferenr abcut rJre temporal affairs of the peoplc. vatican council II indicarcs her distin*ive role, to win .inrcc $e Cbarch docs dueil among men, she has thc daty ofscratinizing *e signs ofthc times and af im and intcrp*ing tbtm in tltc Eght of tt?c GoEcL, The Church, therefoie, as the sacrament ofJcsus chriss has rJre dury ro be involvcd in rhe integral human libcration and denelopmenr Trre Theological Advisoqy Cornmission of rhe Federation ofAsian Bishops, C.on-

*a

3.1 Exercise authority es e maner ofservice. Ir is mea' su.red irrorjlly in terrns of its divini origin, ic rea'' sonable natrub-end'its specific objet No one can ' ' cotrnmand anyrhing conrrary to hurnan dignirf and ' narurd law;

1.2Tbe

of authoriry is rneanr ro give oun+'ard to a just hicrarchy of 'ralucs in order to ,faciliqte the elrereise offrecdom and reqroasibilir.y
mrercise

enpression

by all;

'

3.3 Thosc in authoriry should prectice

disributive jus-

tice wisely, taking accou-rlr of the needs and conuibucion of each, with a nicw to harrnony and peace.

ferences srate rhac She (rf,e Church) cannor endorse the social and politi_

cal pracdces and parrcrns of rhe Sete unconditionallp They have to be eraluared aginsr "&e sundard cf r}.e social iarrerns demanded by the values of rle Kingdom of God and musr be supported or nor on riar basis-

3.4They should take care rhar the regulations and measures rhey adopr are nor a sourcc of rempadon by serting personal interest against r}ar of thc communiq,;
3.5 Polidcal aurhoriries are obliged ro respe{t the fundamental rights ofrhe hurnan person.Thcywill dispense jusrice humanely by rcspecting rlc righs of sveryone, espcciatly of rhe familics and thc disadvant*ged; 3.6 The polidcal righa arrached ro cirizcnship can and should be grantcd according ro the requiremen* cf

E W firfr$ of ,heffi Totraus

Thc Srute

6od

aislrfor the ute ef the good order, (Rm l3:4). Hcre St. Paul.alls rhc political Icaders'GCId,s seruanm" and rhe go,,err'nenr ofificials, 'God's nninisrers" {Rm t::O). Likerarise, hc considers rhose who n*rse to obey rhe aurhcriries as ufifairhful ro God. ln effecr Faul suggesr rhat if rhe regime is for the good ordcr, Chrisdans are bound by conscienc. ,Job*y rh.i, gove'.menE leaders- Ir is rheir sacred dury to elect r+'orthy leadels, to follow dre laws, ro pa), .il(es, rc pray for rhem and to counrerchecle r&em (l TtmZ:l-7).

the common good. They cannor bc suspend.d by public authoritics wirhour legidmare and propartionate reasons- Polidcal righ* are mernr ro be e<erciscd for rhc cornrrlsc good oidlc nation and rh* human communiry. (Scefupndix B)

ZU

206

ItrGtr,5auffirs,ddrr&r5f The Airs and Staruts of rhe Fourth Synod in rhe Archdioccse of Manila, in 1978 succincdy satcs rhe following: Thc Satc's PutPosc is ro prornotc the wdl-bcing and thc pcrkion of the social body acronding to the common good' Th. cooccpc of the cosunon good indudes not only the meterial fulfillment but also rnoral and spirinral wcll-bcin6 the ateinrnent and prscrration of rlc individual right to life, eo freeJ"*" m proprslr' to associadon, to rEPutetion, to prospcrity and rc social, moral a*d spirituel sccuriry. Polidcs, in e*ablishing iu&oriry, must considcr thc moral bcliefs of rhe citizen'r'

GxrE*HS,E&ae
much opposidon, rhe aforesuted mrth cxpresses rhe mission of rhe Church: Evangeiization, propagadon ofthe Fairh m thccnds ofthe Eanh.Thc Church hes

The Sete lcaders who cnact and lay dawn lanrs which are deuimenal to h"man dipaf and progress are not worthy of thc authority that God erruusts to thcm and the peoples trust and confidcnce. The same Syttod arplicatcs iuther that politics alone withotc religious values and arirudcs can only bring about what man ruly weJrts to avoid, since it arouscs and nourishes disputs, anger, *nd everFhing that excites rnan's baser instincts' Thcrefore, religion and its spirinral values rePresent the most solid guerantee ofpolidcal onder. Furthcr, it is transparentlyclear that th. conduct of sociery dcpends basically upon ia religious convicdons and that a dosc rcladonship enisrs bemreen politics and rcligion, Church and Srate.

This recognidon of rhe Sate should be upheld as ia faithfulness to its Originator. The Church oa her part, has a ioie to firlfill in thc State She has no political, cconomic qPcrt* bt t hers is the rnoral fiber to sund on. It is thus, in the iirlgllment of Her mission that shc suLnot but b* inrdvcd in ' matters that a-Scct moraliry*nd f&th. *Tbc Cbutth as thc g*ard' , 'iao and authsitativc in*rPru:ter of the moral hw has as mwb . igbt to profto*?rcc *pan thr morality ofpoliticat a*ioru and relations, as il?ofl thc mereliry af thc ac'
i.

a general and panicular influcnce upon thc State. Thcre are ldcrs of the Starcwhosc faidr hara infiucnced &eirxrary ofleadenhip. E'ren legisladons haw bcn orpressivc of thc Cluisdan &ith. TheAmcrican courts, for insancc have hdd with practical unanimiry that Cluisi*nity is a part ofdre common hw, ra $k qual;fudr*sc, tltat i8 div;w truth *dotigin az admitad$ Thc Preamblc of the Fhilippine Constiru* tion rccognhes toc, the will of thc Stete as seeldng harmonywi* theWill of God

4.lfifluet

of dt fitttdt ffi trleStetP

4.1 The Church is supcrior m the State in her origin, end and intcrcsts. Thc Church has a highcr origin, for hers is ofdircet divinc origin: founded and instrtutcd by the Rcdccrner, the Son of God. She has a nobler objecc ro lcad all human beings to eternal
happiness with

?her 8tre 8letl$E?a aS tht Stste whleh haue marg of thc ttnd/orrefllgtqlg:$stret$n* There are acrians . Statewhich have rnaral andy'or reli- The Getuteh belng t|r XfiEtt !!ous dimensions. The Church be- Fpeter of dlutne eind rer*re
tiow and rclatians ofprivate societics

ing the inrerpreccr af divine

and

ii

fu.Thc

goal of the State howsver,

is thc remporal end marcrid welfue of its constituents. Thus, in this rcsPcct, the Chureh is considered

to be superior to rhe Stare.

4"2 The Church as an insdrurion rherefore, has an indirec influence over the Sratc. Though rhis is mct with

thc State. To anallz* first, as has becn previously cbserved, the influcncc of the Church upon t{re State concern$ *nly thosc tnaficrs th*t have ethical and relit go* questions, like enactrnen$ on hu:ran tighrt, family life, bimh conuoi, jnsticc and pcacc" global soiidariry educadon and rcligiaus freedom. Scco*d, dc manner bywhich thc influcncc t,ls being exerted. Should enf Bovcrrlmenr enact a civil iaw or

moml law thcrefure has sornc kind Of CSe,endgiff glref of ascendancy $yr dresc acdons erf $etffg Of Sm stEte.

ES$Hreme3g6O1.ehCSSCme!&!

ffieg

;i i i;

206

zg,

d
t*,tbAr$Wt&tril0llg,wt
CE#S,xrr.SrE&Eb&

ffr" p*p*r EffihotllV

'' -

oF

Stets Is not denled, lts stp: [feofthepeoplathcChurchcenexpi**"og ln Ctnll E$flr;rs I* "oir.h.rpowerbydaladngthelarr or reeogntrGd- BUt whan lte *4ror its pcrformance as unjusther teslullttlt !E alfiBclonffir$ to i"ho*to' th"t"by' protecting tt* mo?|tl In*5, tfigr EfiB rBOt., peoplc from opplession.This P{nser ,r,, ,,:., L ,rot f*rm"lty.i"il orpolitical, but to !G oacre|I.ontyryirimalwithisrdirect"i"il.T-

the

*dopt an administrative action dhat ir riolrtir. of thc moral and spirinul

reaching of the Church. In a Synodal scetement, lxstirc i*t the W&r/A, rhe Bishops dcdere&

kr Bf t"

' '

A*iar or bcbafafficticc &dfft*i@ir&ry*, fonnation af $c w$filly 6pryw tu tt,E I m:arerafu dincnsion of tx pnac*ing of dx Cntryl *at e {e a;drtion ef tbe Cbawlz fw k ,cem?rislt- af #x @ rw

ll

*d i* libefidnnfiwn *'r7 off a;w tirrrd*rr.

ff

St*tc is nbt denicd' its olicadons. Thi pmper authority-of the is :ecogeryca' But'when ia rcgulal thtf at" aot to be obcycd' tions are conffarf to **'***t t*i' from the Philip A number of oternplcs can bdviewed Co1lrcncl of rhe rine speriences, like *'" i-'hoti" Bishops ffi#[I fori.f f."er on clean, honest,'and free elections snap election asrd the Church issued before the f.bruaryT, 1986 *"o,".iy* of the Chu,ch to no*"t l

ffi;;; ;;"tl'"tr"t*

;;J ;;;

Feople Porrycr Cn*r,", Change nowF-stra&tConccrde' issus' and rhe o-n several U as well as thc stron*'**tt' lemers Voting - are some of Parish Pastoral C.";[;;t Responsiblc Church' acts of shcpherd'iniof the Cathalic ,fr* *"*

P;pt.

1i"

Thus, the Church's &idrfulncss to she Gosprl wG bad social rcladonships, srruccures,';ssr!*sed @trffrls drat rnaybe lound in the polidcal arsna-7 The $@ieryccdvc of thc lsrie of God and love of neighbor obvi,oudf fu mm any limiadon or parnmeter as to wkr kind of rrighhor *Gdd bc loved, nor in whar stabli*meot he belongLTk re"mth* Gmpel rurh has to bproclaimd end b witnessd rffiifo ECioiralidcal, oconomic, illtural and cological aspmofl& The Church h*s ngrry s'rolvcd into beffi4 rerand more ev:rngelically visible, nor only in her docerines:sd lieryr but also in her socid involvcrnenL Her rolc in scLqy ca bc surnmed up into rwo rnain considcredons: en, as pcc*Eeer and propagator of rhe @, *rc is dre consciere of& fuce,
Her to

'

aftct

C I$NMATE BBilD

EETSIEEH TTtrE

CHURCH AfiD HUT{fiFI$NID

on tbc the Pestoral Thc pretace of-vorld.cleariy Canstitutian role of indicares the ch*oh';-o-t[, irarin intimata bond with the Church, that p'ot"'d' from her humankind, tn wir: ' firioy, and thc topq' t4grt6-aad *e o*u* !
the urat

and sccond, as such she necessarily becomes the cffecdve and cfficicnc changc-agcnr of sociery. I

SffitfrcGl,wr*fr

Gs

ffii lnss

1TlrE ffiuReH til IHE Srf;rE

:.

**iithis

africtcd'ihac orir;fr* of th' a fo ttot*n of C tritt

too

'tgc'

apechllL t*otc who.aft Pcor

arc thc joys axd
hoPes' th

*.'22

gnqt aig

i *os, whcRever*d..,rh"*r
Church is there.*o-ih*

;'"'p.' riber ffi;;;"' i"a'*iur own.folt'Y": *1 f: :ffif ;;;;;J :r

rhe.human bcing is, thc Church's mission of ev*ngeiizingall

Cod bdongs to a socir"ry. Hsying ben properly insrucrcd and ondnualiy ,,U"g forrnod &* Holy $iriu d:c tPoplc of God,as sudu ean $aF or { IEshaDe *re lift in rhe socierv inoo Sc

The Chuffih i* a srse is in 6c&ata The Chur& as *le ry& of s*m

ffiM&ffiawrffi, slrffi&I ffit$e wEffme*l t$f&ttuffieGEIesrffiffi

ftrGe*r EesB GrSGrt En HmEer dignttXr GttrE BeedortE, who sEfegrysr*s 8& trsmseerl-

Sffimw@tsffiffre#l}L
shercs H/idh

or G p#6e8*r syseem- sw B sllstlrBet ks ffit seFffir6*

;'J;;;"?;J

"'a

dimension Hi' people is the basis of thc

*- 9:i*

*'":f i *-ll
,.

lprgdorn o"rc,od Through this, rhe Church

dr*
Shc

xx

ddrc

the noblesr aspiratior.r of hurnrn

h*i"p-

assi$sdrzffi

,:

, !ril

2m

Ji:i:n:.:,iirr:irst!. ,:it:r. :,r.rii::qy,rB!Ai:#!:iltiir:.:i;;:riii*!:a.,

I- i .: r.-;i:---:1

:-:i.;;ia:;-dlii

hm,ltrOytgrrm,

f,rol|g,i,a,rt

Ok

drfidffi&ffi

ers

in rheir attainment of thesc aspirations by grving wimess to the MXntcry of thc Incarnation. " ft is rhis m)'stery t}at gives *re human bcing a global aad ransccndcnc perspectivc of what human lift uuly is and what human rc*litics ought to bc" . Sincc dre Church as an institution is an cxPert in humen digniry and frccdom, who mfeguards the transcendence of chc hurnan pcrson, shc should not bc confrrsed wieh the polirical communiry or a political s,'stem', Shc is distinct but noc sep{ete from or cuaide the sociery. : 1.fire C$urct, ts
tile Guefttafi 0f Hwna,t

?cdslr tftc Imur}lwernemt of thB ctltrreh In sucft r!fflllEs dence from the state in 'rhe rhinp of God,'drose duties rclated m &c ea eSElI rtghtrB ar*tl fsrelgn 'salrretion ofsouls. On the odrshan4 Folletr rlem*'Elds prrrdent dre satc is entidd to the Chud* lu$gmetta
srppon in'*re d:ings ofCcasar," that ;"'h bishcpc should rakc rhcii prcpcr cpis@pel pooirion advocering robadienc to just l*vrs and rcrlerenc for kgitimaely constfuutd iutf,oritia.' The Church scrves human sociery as a conscimce llt-s not Se policeman for rJ:c setc, blindly nforcing irs dicrs right or wrcng" No is it e public enmr4 daiming far an unwarranted competence in all public issues, whcrher itsclf spiti$al ar coporal. Today &e involveraenc of dre Churdr in a&irs as civil rights and forcign poficf qiernands pnrdent ;judgmeoe There is a moral6re to each of thesc problern+ but i** i*pt "rrenstion ress csscntially with rhe public *uthorities. TTh. Chulch is a conscience ofhuman socicr,".ro Jg;
5. Tfte fi?ufflt ls ail Efiew ta $w Huopn MnmunltT

issue. The Church rnust have fi.rll and pcrfccr freedom and indcpcn-

Dtgn$

Founded on the love ofthe Redcemer, t}e Church conributes to the world the application of iustice, Psrce ad chariry. Hcr Gospel preaching and witnessing givc light to all human acrivities" She encourages all to uphold human digniry and respcct human tightt, recognizes politi*t freedom; shc erhorts foic*.rcsponsibility among citizens and appeals to all to abide

by the Gospel values.

c}ildren ior the City of God by presenting a clear direction ro rhe earhly sociery i.e. towards a society where hurnan digniry is respected; freedom is responsiShe prepares her

the Church the mission to bccomc

Gaudium er Spes acknowledges rhar rhc Redeernergave *rc light ro rhe narions.
Chn$,

bilitp

It is her legitimate right ro preach the true faith with aufientic freedom, to teach her sacial doctrine and arcomplish her dudes without delay nor cornpromise. Hoiding Faidhfully to the gospel and excrcising her mission in the world, the Church consolidates (Lk 2:14) peace among men to God's glory. For it is her ask to uncoYer! cherish and cncbiee *li r}rat is true, good and bcautiful in the human
comrnuniry.
2" The

peace, .lusticc, prosperity and chariry are its meiu$'

be

sae*,

ga*c His

Clnftt,

no

yvpcr misiott

in tltc politita!, erunomic ar sociat otfu. Tk p*rpo* wbidr Hc sct bcftrc hr is a rcligioas onc. B* oat af tleis religiot

.'" ''' ir
{l::

mission ixeif is afwnctio* a lighr and cx errnry which can strw tt, strwt*re and rcwdidaa thc ltawaa cowm*diy *crarding ta tk divine hur. ,* d ,rrrrrrcx offacq wlten cir-

tht wd, sbe can anl actitiiio ddtign dfo, dre necdy sach as warfu af mcrcy anl sintib, u"deratilagr-it
crr?rran'ccs

ef tirac and platc cttate

indeed she*ld initiatc

$*rch

ls a Consclenff of S,d/etr

aJ The pcaceful EDSA revoludon in February 1986 and ' ihc No ,o.h*.r., change on,Septernber 2t, l9g8 NO to
f,onco.d. in Augusr Zi, lrsgg .**-ples whereby rhe Church in rhc Philippines rook "r. lead ro rally the Filipirhe as *gainsr any.rhing and anyone rhar violete hurnan digry and freedom.
217

In discharging their apostolic office, which concerns t}e salvation of souls, bishops in d-remselves cnjoy full and Pcrftct freedom and indipendence from any civil authority' A healthy balance is advocated in the solution cf t-he Church and Stare
?10

&fl*rnd.S&SM
}?0sutt

,, - ,. ?,tre premo$cn of unltV Be lbttgts tg tles Innsrmomt m* ture f t$c Chnrch-' , ,

shefrstto-fes It$W_WN&tt and AmoW

orrt

*r 508h, Euffi70f,.tt

tt

@dus
'"lr

'

:-

The'Prornotion

of-ipiry'u'Jongs to the Lr-

nirmost nature o[ thc

Church, since she is her' relationshiP with Chrtst, both a sacraJnesml sign and an instrumcnt qf intimatc union with God and of the uniry of a., mankind'"rz Enlry or all 'riarr*,u' -'- The EDSA - Pcople Powet - is God's omnipo The Pastoral vs-- ,."*;;f*;i its of Pope ]ohn Paul il, the celebration of the t]'re dedication of Janu\florld Yout]r Day every two ysats and indicarors ; i; Day of i*.t,'ht' social trechinF-are ciear soiidariqy' .fr*. ,fr" Church mrly works towards globai

"bY

Aristotle or Plato, it is because of - *re Churdrl Or that the Church ': sres *re 6rst instirudon rher dcii,.**A.a the presatation of wit,: nm aud proo& m convicr sosle i=.-o* of a crimc It is not much groop ther i: r , toti" cocamented to his fidlw l:". E;;- communists after rcading &r Enf ' qrclical, Rasn Ntt:arum, d-"r dtey ,, o"Sht ro learn from the Ch*rch ': . vrhat it means ro be conccmed for

-i the workers. -:::: We onl;, have tc obse;vc ,l what happens in the worid, in ,, ,hor. cultures that have not re-

fmr*cr Insrirusc of nd;Cion.ne$ nor USTk rcr, Fr.T;rn6{arc L:na, O.P, aspresidcr. A&cd
*rc Univcrsiry's dcsire

o bmmcorle wi&

&c pere*.

ceived the influeErce of Chrisrianity cr in which Christianity has been violently r*moved from the consciences o'f the people. Islann, for examplc, icads to reduce wotnen to a sec-

.
!m nnost o# I*essoeloE emeYeEI-

5. sne

58 tlle ?ece f$f $uffiafi

cnts Fssrtle$8srty !n SsE*el'

ttrdo Eel g@eielIEs cnd

@vetfiwe$t

The Church frorn rhc verY a[her ibut]darion has been EEmE s AIBlitrE, sIEe xheatg stll besinning Por:r.It-his is pred^xly rlch rtcrtlamsto help 6$md n*t , ih*.h-of thevery fuunder is P'oor" cxpiolt th Peer @rte$' She so bepuse her be a grmt mis:ake m it would c'$t!dclmm3 Ftlcl&t dlse#mtns- Thus, dts consider l:er a-s not cancerned wi& em!s"

.:

1'
ii

Did vou kn*w rhat che flust !9m1, Gomgurffi,g*tgm trd Slt*-' . trade unions were born cighr ccnruerltsm ftr tE?gse EGiB G$!6tr* ries ago under rhe proteccion of *re msrffitelrlgcffire@s3t' Ch.,r&ri Cr that ifYou can now read
2'17

tlG[!, orE?ls wc!r]$6re. whlte sluuerll, 6t Pltciilsm, s6ta3'

plighr of the pcxrr aad rhe appresse'J-

ond class pcrsons in socid life. Hinduism, with i* easte syttem, clearly goes against the equal-'-i..!.-E!ry iry of the human person. h{arx- Ef Ssdc8y s6& eetffi B$N 8f rffi" ism undermines hurnan digniry ro deglmEg llirrm rEgBttfi. s$ i.rrcredible Iimim. he.BEffimm PeEs63l, orGE# e$ the It is her lnanner of conccrn th@ eqErBeBr sn"ssmg hBthat has evolved. From giving aims 3rt!? belmg*, Bce *tRIe !g to the pocr, rhis time, the trfioveseeelarn ffiatd lm$Euemee mcnt is teira-arCs becoming poor" Though this rernainr a chailcnge, es tfte GtuElrc*$ Esi eEwtE s8dEHI Hmselnt &et eew en$ to many'. e lwlllzertEcet. trn Asia fcr instance, tbe vision of the Fcder*rion of Asian Eishops' Conferences is ro make the Church'in Asia rhe Church *f the Pooc nor bccause majoriqv of the people are poor bur because ]csus Christ, the Founde r of the Church lived a simple lile in complere dependence on the will cf rhe Father.

th*

the

ffi

:ts

213

f*afi

O*ttut

Wl

fsdE rErrt

Crrffil,ailfrbkErfr

it wirl grave ?he Clrs{silGn who Bre$le&B punishmenrc (Mk 7:lGl3 dso in hls termlloFet clutEes negts leatE hl6 slu$es tqrwctru trrls Mt23:3-23). Therefore, ier rhere ix no metglhhr.lgtd enrem God, @
Tixrament rhrearen

didJesus Christ Himself in the New

lvfitlcanium.' Comrcned byrhe OSe for Huraan

fuim

Etishopc C,onftrurccs at Rodanptorixs' Rcocat Housc,

Dod.p*-kderdon of klup Gry, Thai-

had (Fcbruary 7:14; 1999!; pafticipacd in

,

lar peoplc rd;giou$ derE; BislF

Fr

of*c Institutc of Rdigion. Hcre tle sodal rcachings was darioned.

6.
Sfie ls

Cendinah &om rhcVatican CitTandAsias couaaio. USTarc: Rarnondaro Mendcz, O.P, Roctor efl-ctran Calamba aod Frot Hc$elide Ond

scfiretlcfi . C':r#fl sils s&@&t part, and religious life on *c other. rIo!e t$c8t ttrey c*sn In rire exercise of all rheir eanhly exnmptGs sf, acdviri*s, they could thereby gather wlro wDr!(ed cs EB thcir husrane, domestic, profes- 6m!s$n. sional, social and technical enrrprises into one viml synrhesis with religi.us values under vrhose suprenle direction afi rhings are harmonized unto God,s glo{f
sional and sacid acrivicies on rle one

falsc opposition berween profes-

tEopsr$I:es hls eterntr

follou, the
chrlst,

rffir

{MM 255)"

rll

of PopJohn Peul II for

caterhcsh on

a Tead?er

Name the Councii (since fierc is no precedcnr ro rhis), orhorrs Christians, as citizcns of rno citics to strive to discharge r}reir earfily duties conscicndously and in response ro rhe gospel spirit. They are misnkcn \ryho, knowing rhat we havr no
abi<iing ciry but seek onc which is ro come (Heb l3:l4i rhink thar they may drcreforc shirk their earfily respansibilides. For tlzry are forgetring thar by fairh ircclf thqr are more then evcr obliged tG m&Nuce up to the duries, cach according ro his pro;:cr vocatio5r (Eph 4:28).

John Paul II recendy released rhe following sraternent on the issue of globalization: 'Cansidcring,he q,rJ*on of hu_ man promodon in Asia, the Sf"od Farhers recognized the im* porurnca of rhe process of economic globalizadon. While ac_ knowledging its many positir"e effects, he poinred out rhatglobalizarion has also worked to rhe detrimeni ofdrc poor, ,.rr&rrg to push poorer counrries to the margin of internatiorrd oJ ncrnic and palidcal reladons. Manyfuian nadons are unable to holdrheir ywl in a global rnarket econornv. And perhaps nrore significandy, there is also the aspecr of a ctburalilobrfi**orr,
made possibie by the modern communicarians media, which is quiclcly drawing Asian societies inro a grobar consumer cutrture drat is boch secularist and nnarerialisdc. The resulr is an ermion

Nor, on the conuary, are they any lcss wide offrhc mark who think rhar religion consisrs in acts of worship alone and in thc discharge of cerrain moral obligadons and who imaginc &sy could plunge chernselves inro eardrly concfirs in such e way as to imply thac these arc altogcther divorced from rhe reiigiots Iifc. This split bcrwccn rle faith which rnany profss and their dailv lives 'descrves co bc counted among the scrious erors of our age.r' l"ong since , rlc prophem of d:e OldTi:srarnen! foughr vehemendy againsr this scandd (Is 58:l-12) and even more so
?1il

of radidanal f**ily and social values r+'hich untir nnw had srstained peoples and sotieties. All of tiis ma]<es it clear that the *hiul and mara! dspctt af fuba1zatior need m be more di_ recrb" ad&essed by rhe leaders of narions and by organizations concerncd with hurnan promorion. The Church insisrs upon fic need for "globalizarion wirhous marginalizarion.'Wi*r the Synod Fathers] I call upon the panicular Chu-rches everywhere, and espeUally rhose in the '!?'esrern counrries, ro work to ensure thar the churcht sociar doctrine h*s irs due impacr upon the formuiarion of ethical and

215

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iuridicil norins for reguladng the worldls

free nrar.kets and for

F. I.AIW AS CHAIIIGE AGEFTTS:

the means of social communicadon. Catholic leaders and professionals should urge gorrcrrlrnenrs and financial and racle institutions rc recognize and respect such norms.'

l.

It is nccessary for people to know and live *re Gospel more faithfirlly. M".y dre Mother ofJesus, is most faithfirl to rhe Gospel. Her faithfulness howener, is not sherr nor narrowminded. [n herMagnificat, she, alaywornan, showed her full grasp of the human condirions, such as poverty, social injustices and the root sins ofthose, pride and arrogancc, which only God srn c:xt out.

E ROIE OF IHE I.SITY Ifl GUII SOfiEN More cLalk*giag horizons of,hunnan rcalities werc unby drcVrrieen Cruncil II without losing the **bility of aadition. It prcsents a paradigm of the Church as ruly Onc, Holy, Carholic and Apostolic. This means, the Church is fcr all, and all can fully and faithfully partake in her banquets. It is improper to consider the Church as hierarchical with passivc members. Rather, she is the Mystical Body of Christ, where all people are one in Christ. Since each part is unique, each has a role spccific to its naturc. Secular duties and acivities belong properly akhough not eirclusively, to the lairy. Therefore ecting as citizens of the world, wherher individually or soeially, they will observe the laws proper to each discipline and labor to equip thernsetves with a genuine expenise in their various fields. Thcy will glrdty workwith rnen seeking rhe same goals. Acknowledging the de-

loc[d

AWARENESS thus means' not merely an intellecnral knowledge of human situadons buc an rnterior knowledge of Jcsus and thus with faith that does iustice. k is through the light of t}re Gospel that thc evil in sociery can be eradicated"

mands

of faith and endowed with its force, they '*'iil

Authentic awareness leads the lay pessons to become co-responsible with the state. Since they have an actirrc role to play in the whole.life of the Church, they are not onlybound to penecrate theworldwith aChristian spirit They arc called to CONVERSION to Ch:isr, to become His witnesses, to think His rhoughts, and feel how he felt, do as He did. It means seeking only that which wiil lead them to t}e very hean ofJesus Christ" It mens 'W'trat ought I to do for to ask oneself every so often:
Christ? 'Sfhet does He want me m do. How would Christ

unhesitatingly- dcu"ise new enrerprises, whcre they are appropriate and put rham into acrian. t-ay people should also know that it is genera-ll;r rhe ftrncdon of their u'ell formed Christian eonscicnce to recognize rhet the divinc law is inscribed in rhe life of the eanhly ciry Though lay peoplc depenC on rhe heirarchy for spirirual and sacramcr* ml nourishmenq they (lay) have to discover their own resourcs

in seeking snludons for rhrir problerns. Enlighrencd by Chrtsdan wisdom and in fairhfulness co the teaching aurhoriw of &c Churchtr ler r}le lairy ralec on, each his own disdncr role rowards socieral rranstbrma rion.

Unless logr Festrle Estluely METANOIA or CON- tcke up6r! harclselues thGl! VERSION happens when shsrc oG the nesPoltclblllty 06 one experiences Gcd very eo l?Eske the lslngdom Ghurch l5 6od on etrrth, the deeply and personally. lnessectlwe In soclety. !t ls 3. Conversi'x is manif,ested tke lrltty who c*n Fnstrtre through MISSION. The the rerlr herfr qf the soclo'
heart thar is truly orien'ted tc God cennot but do His '$ilill This rneans
as

handle the situation (say, rampanr and sy'stematic violation of, human rights)?

his own.

culturEl dlmenslsns of
s6Eletg.
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pCI;ltlcat, economlc sgt*

the person's

will

is aligned

to

218

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God's. Thus, he

*.ill rn' nor do anyrhing

&utrl,*dSbftftkfrw rhar

will

lead

him away lrom God" He is so fully consumed by the love of God rhar orhers arouncl him can sce his ransformation. Thus roo" he wiil work more devotedly tov"ards dre fulfillmeni cf rhe lingdor: of God.

more rhe common good.

rhe comperenr ecclesiasrical aurhoriry this is required for the defense of the righrs of the Church o, ,o fro-

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people acriveiv rake upon themselves their share raponsibilir.v ro malie rire kingdom of God an eanh rca],
{J,ntess lay

the Church is ineffectivc in sociery

Ir is rhe lairy whc cen pen-

i" ir is rheobligation and inherent right of rhe Church

pel ro all peoples, using for rhis purpose eveft irs owil rneans of sociai ccmrnunicarion; for ir is ro the Church rhar Chrisr she i.ord enmusred che deposit of faitlr, so thar by the assisrancc of rhe Holy Spirit, ir mighr consciendously guard the revealed trurl, rnore iniimarely
independenr ofany hunran authorirf, to preach the gos_

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etrate rhe very hearr of rhe soci*-political, econornic and culrural dimensiorx of she scciery.rj The hierarchy now recognizes the indispensable role oitie lairy in dre transfcrrnadon oflociery.

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penerrare ir and fairhfully proclaim and expound ir.

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The Church has the fehr always and everywhere ro pro_ claim moral principles, even in respecr oirh. sooial. or_ der and ro make judgmenrs abour any human rnamer insofar as this is required by fundamenrrl hurrrr., ,;gh,, or salvadon of souls.

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Becoming channels oigrace ro o;'re ancrher rhru blessing each orher: Third Year Pharrnacy Srudenrs' rerrcai ir CJeruega, Nasu6br"l, B"rrrrgo.

Cod and the salvation of all.

Those who announce the word of God ro Christk fairh_ tul are firsr and foremosr ro ser our rhose rhings ii is necessary ro believe and practice fi_rr th."glo.y

*i;.f,
of

;
0. CAt'lON LAH: 0t{ !fi$V0wEMEFIT
PU B!.JC

CIF

C!"ER|CS tt{ p0UneS AtrtD

ABilI IfiIISTRANOil

Aftoft

explai* ro the fairhful &e teaching and trerdorn of ,ry human person, in uniry, srabiliri and dirries of the family: peoplet social obligarion a;d ;; *rdering *frernporal aifair.s according roihe plan estabr ilshed by God.
"l-he

T"hev are also to

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287

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1. Clerics are alx'ar.s

ro do rhrir urmosr ro fosrer afflong

peopie peace anci harrnonr"based on lustice"

2.
218

They are nor ro plar-an acrive roie in political parries or in direcring rrade union:. unless, in rhe judgrnent of

eny aggre-rsor, be

Church in the'philippin*s, in El Salvador, in Mexico af rhe examples where rhe Churcir had ro exercise her ::: rtrnetcnr nphi ro prorecr and promote human digniry againsr

to*.

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ffit

it rhe Srare.

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