Makarova Olha

A2268224

Christian Humanism

Month 11, 2023

The Church's Historical Divine Mission and Its Relationship to Social Justice in the

Post-Vatican II Era

The Catholic Church has a long history of divine mission, rooted in the teachings of Jesus

Christ and the apostles. This mission, while spiritual in nature, also extends to the realm of

social justice, advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals. The Second Vatican

Council (Vatican II), held from 1962 to 1965, brought significant changes that not only

reshaped the Church’s teachings but also its actions, underscoring the integral role of social

justice in fulfilling the Church’s divine mission.

Throughout history, from a catholic perspective, the church's divine mission has always been

to proclaim the Word of God and build the Kingdom of God (para. 43). This mission involves

spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments, and exercising

charity. It also includes the Church’s role in guiding individuals towards salvation and

fostering a deep and personal relationship with God. Hence, in other words, the divine

mission of church is to spread the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and to serve humanity.

Additionally, it is important to note that although this mission has evolved in response to

changing social and historical contexts and theological conceptions, its main purpose remains

the same.

Another fundamental element of the church, although not in alignment with its mission, but at

the same time incorporating elements of it, is the concept of social justice. According to
Pedro Arrupe (1973), the development of the social justice counts as an integral element of

the church's mission (para. 7) In other words, social justice within the Church is an extension

of its divine mission. According to Belliard (2021), social justice reflects the prophetic

character of Jesus, the biblical message of hope to the oppressed, and the gospel imperative

of peacemaking. Moreover, the impact of justice on mission is evident in the Church's

commitment to charity, a form of justice that involves the self-sacrifice of the individual for

the sake of those they love (Chatterjee, 2011). This view emphasizes the self-value of the

individual, who, being unique, deserves God's love. Thus, the concern of Christians extends

beyond justice to encompass love. This dual focus on justice and love reflects the Church's

holistic approach to its divine mission and underscores the integral role of social justice

within the Church.

As mentioned earlier, Vatican II led to significant changes in the Church's comprehension of

its divine mission and its approach to social justice. The council was aimed to emphasize the

importance of the Church's engagement with the modern world and called for a more

inclusive and dialogical approach to its mission. Consequently, the Second Vatican Council

(Vatican II) amplified the interconnection between the Church’s divine mission and social

justice, which is particularly evident in three pivotal domains. First of all, according to the

Secretariat of State, the Church affirms the dignity and rights of every human person, created

in the image and likeness of God, and calls for the promotion of justice and peace in the

world (para. 81). Then, according to the document called «Compendium of The Social

Doctrine of The Church», the Church engages in dialogue and service with the world,

recognizing the signs of the times and the presence of God’s Spirit in different cultures and

religions. This approach encourages social justice by acknowledging and respecting cultural

diversity and promoting peaceful coexistence (para. 14). Finally, according to the «Social

Doctrine and Ecclesial Action», the church develops a social doctrine that serves as a
roadmap for promoting social justice in areas such as human rights, economic development,

globalization, ecology, war, and peace. [SOCIAL DOCTRINE AND ECCLESIAL ACTION

II. SOCIAL DOCTRINEAND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL]

In conclusion, the Church's divine mission and social justice are closely intertwined. Vatican

II marked a significant shift in the Church's understanding and practice of these concepts. It

emphasized the importance of engaging with the modern world, fostering dialogue and

service with different cultures and religions, and reaffirmed the Church's role as a sign and

instrument of God's love for humanity and creation.

References

1. The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church (vatican.va)

Synod of Bishops (2008). The word of God in the life and mission of the church:

Instrumentum laboris. Vatican. The Mission of the Church is to Proclaim the Word and Build

the Kingdom of God.

2. Arrupe, P. (1973). Men and women for others [Speech]. Valencia, Spain.

3. Belliard, Nico. (2021) "Does the Church Have a Role in Working for Social Justice?"

Spectrum Magazine, March 12, 2021. Retrieved from

https://spectrummagazine.org/views/2021/does-church-have-role-working-social-justice

4. Chatterjee, D. K. (Ed.). (2011). Encyclopedia of Global Justice: A-I (Vol. 2). Springer

Science & Business Media. p. 86-87