Encyclical Letter

Justicia in Mundo
(Justice in the World) World Synod of Catholic Bishops 1971 November 30

OVERVIEW The 1971 Synod of Bishops, in their reflection on the mission of the People of God to further justice in the world, affirms the right to a culturally-sensitive, personalized development. The Bishops teach that Gospel principles mandate justice for the liberation of all humanity as an essential expression of Christian love. The Church must witness for justice through its own lifestyle, educational activities, and international action. Structural sin is discussed. Historical Note This document illustrates the powerful influence of native leadership of the Churches of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is the first major example of post-Vatican II episcopal collegiality and reflects a forceful, concrete, and realistic refinement of previous papal pronouncements. Historical Background Calling attention to the structural roots of injustice afflicting human relations, the Bishops declare that action in the pursuit of justice, and participation in the transformation of the world are constitutive elements in the Church's mission of preaching the Gospel. The representative bishops, gathered in synod, acknowledge that it is not their job to elaborate a profound analysis of the situation of the world (a. 3). The starting point of their treatment of justice and injustice is the tremendous paradox they see in the world: powerful forces are working to bring about a unified world society at the same time that forces of division and antagonism seem to be increasing in strength (a. 7-9). While the Church is bound to give witness to justice, she recognizes that everyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Hence we must undertake an examination of the modes of acting and of the possessions and lifestyle found within the Church itself. Key themes in Justice in the World Signs of the Times Economy Environment Education Socio-Cultural Political ISSUES Unequal distribution Discrimination (racial, religious and cultural/tribal) Unemployment (give rise to great numbers of marginal people. Economic injustice and lack of social participation keep people from attaining their basic human and civil rights Arms race is a threat to life (make poor people more miserable, powerful people richer) Media (bad influences to the society) Abortion and imposition of contraceptives (anti-life therefore unjust)

 Oppression

Goal Justice in the World - mission of the people of God to promote justice in the world. Introduction Structural injustices oppress humanity and stifle freedom to operate in the world (#3). The dynamism of the Gospel and the hopes of the people of today are together (#5). Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or in other words, of the Churchs mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation (#6). Justice and World Society A modern paradox: o forces for achieving human dignity seem strong (#7); o but so do forces of division (arms race, economic injustices, lack of participation) (#9). Affirms the right to development as a basic human right (#15). Calls for personalization and a culturally-sensitive modernization (#s 17-19). Many who suffer injustice are voiceless; the Church should speak on their behalf (#20). Injustices listed: those to migrants, refugees; religious persecution; human rights violations; torture; political prisoners; anti-life; war; dishonest media; anti-family activity (#s 21-26). Dialogue with the participation of all, especially youth, is needed to correct these injustices (#28). Gospel Message and Mission of Christ Scriptural Sources o People need to listen to the Word of God to respond effectively to injustices (#29). o Old Testament views God as a liberator of the oppressed and the defender of the poor (#30). o Jesus gave himself for the salvation and liberation of all and associated himself with the least (#31). o St. Paul: Christian life is the faith which sparks love and service of neighbors (#33). Justice and Love o Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be separated (#34). o Preaching the Gospel requires a dedication to the liberation of humanity in this world (#35). Role of the Church o The Gospel message gives the Church the right and duty to proclaim justice on all levels and to denounce instances of injustice (#36). o The role of the hierarchical Church is not to offer concrete solutions to specific problems, but to promote the dignity and rights of each human being (#37). Practice of Justice Witness of the Church o Anyone who ventures to preach justice should be perceived as being just (#40). o Rights within the Church must be respected for all, especially women and lay people (#43). o Rights include: decent wage, security, promotion, freedom of thought and expression, proper judicial procedures, participation in decision-making process (#s 45-46).

o The lifestyle of the institutional Church and all its members must allow it to preach the good news to the poor (#48). Education to Justice o In developing countries, the aim is to awaken awareness of the concrete situation and strategies and alternatives for change (#51). o Family is the principal agent for this education, a continuing one (#54). o Catholic social teaching, the basic principles of the Gospels applied, is the major source for justice education (#56). o Liturgy and the sacraments can serve justice education (#58). Cooperation between Churches in Rich and Poor Nations Is Essential for Economic and Spiritual Progress (#59). Ecumenical Collaboration for Justice Is Strongly Supported (#61). International Action o Call for the UN Declaration of Human Rights to be ratified by all nations (#64). o Support UN efforts to halt arms race, weapons trade, and reach peaceful conflict resolution o (#65). o Foster aims of the Second Development Decade, including fair prices for raw materials, opening of markets, taxation on worldwide basis (#66). o Concentration of power should be changed; more participation is needed (#67). o Emphasizes the importance of UN specialized agencies in promoting justice (#68). o Calls for funding for responsible development (#69). o Wealthy nations need to be less materialistic and consume less (#70). o Right to development and respectful cooperation with wealthy nations are urged (#71).

A Word of Hope Christians will find the Kingdom as the fruit of their nature and efforts; God is now preparing the Kingdom (#75).

Notable quotations Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church's mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. (#6) Unless combated and overcome by social and political action, the influence of the new industrial and technological order favors the concentration of wealth, power and decision-making in the hands of a small public or private controlling group. Economic injustice and lack of social participation keep people from attaining their basic human act civil right (#9) Our relationship to our neighbor is bound up with our relationship to God; our response to the love of God, saving us through Christ, is shown to be effective in his love and service of people. Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be separated. For love implies an absolute demand for justice, namely a recognition of the dignity and rights of one's neighbor. Justice attains its inner fullness only in love. Because every person is truly a visible image of the invisible God and a sibling of Christ, the Christian finds in every person God himself and God's absolute demand for justice and love. (#34) Unless the Christian message of love and justice shows its effectiveness through action in the cause of justice in the world, it will only with difficulty gain credibility with the people of our times. (#35)

Listening to the cry of those who suffer violence and are oppressed by unjust systems and structures, and hearing the appeal of a world that by its perversity contradicts the plan of its Creator, we have shared our awareness of the Church's vocation to be present in the heart of the world by proclaiming the Good News to the poor, freedom to the oppressed, and joy to the afflicted. (#5) While the Church is bound to give witness to justice, she recognizes that anyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Hence we must undertake an examination of the modes of acting and of the possessions and life style found within the Church herself. (#40) The members of the Church, as members of society, have the same right and duty to promote the common good as do other citizens. Christians ought to fulfill their temporal obligations with fidelity and competence. They should act as a leaven in the world, in their family, professional, social, cultural and political life. (#38) Participation constitutes a right which is to be applied both in the economic and in the social and political field. (#18) The Church has received from Christ the mission of preaching the Gospel message, which contains a call to people to turn away from sin to the love of the Father, universal kinship and a consequent demand for justice in the world. This is the reason why the Church has the right, indeed the duty, to proclaim justice on the social, national and international level, and to denounce instances of injustice, when the fundamental rights of people and their very salvation demand it. (#36) At the same time as it proclaims the Gospel of the Lord, its Redeemer and Savior, the Church calls on all, especially the poor, the oppressed and the afflicted, to cooperate with God to bring about liberation from every sin and to build a world which will reach the fullness of creation only when it becomes the work of people for people. (#77) In the Old Testament God reveals himself to us as the liberator of the oppressed and the defender of the poor, demanding from people faith in him and justice towards one's neighbor. It is only in the observance of the duties of justice that God is truly recognized as the liberator of the oppressed. (#30) Within the Church rights must be preserved. No one should be deprived of his ordinary rights because he is associated with the Church in one way or another. Those who serve the Church by their labor, including priests and religious, should receive a sufficient livelihood and enjoy that social security which is customary in their region. Lay people should be given fair wages and a system for promotion. (#41) The Church, indeed, is not alone responsible for justice in the world; however, she has a proper and specific responsibility which is identified with her mission of giving witness before the world of the need for love and justice contained in the Gospel message, a witness to be carried out in Church institutions themselves and in the lives of Christians. (#36) Hope in the coming kingdom is already beginning to take root in the hearts of people. The radical transformation of the world in the Paschal Mystery of the Lord gives full meaning to the efforts of people, and in particular of the young, to lessen injustice, violence and hatred and to advance all together in justice, freedom, kinship and love. (#76) The world in which the Church lives and acts is held captive by a tremendous paradox. Never before have the forces working for bringing about a unified world society appeared so powerful and dynamic; they are rooted in the awareness of the full basic equality as well as of the human dignity of all. Since people are members of the same human family, they are indissolubly linked with one another in the one destiny of the whole world, in the responsibility for which they all share. (#7)

In order that the right to development may be fulfilled by action: (a) people should not be hindered from attaining development in accordance with their own culture; (b) through mutual cooperation, all peoples should be able to become the principal architects of their own economic and social development; (#71) Although in general it is difficult to draw a line between what is needed for right use and what is demanded by prophetic witness, we must certainly keep firmly to this principle: our faith demands of us a certain sparingness in use, and the Church is obliged to live and administer its own goods in such a way that the Gospel is proclaimed to the poor. If instead the Church appears to be among the rich and the powerful of this world its credibility is diminished. (#47) Our mission demands that we should courageously denounce injustice, with charity, prudence and firmness, in sincere dialogue with all parties concerned. We know that our denunciations can secure assent to the extent that they are an expression of our lives and are manifested in continuous action. (#57) Christians' specific contribution to justice is the day-to-day life of individual believers acting like the leaven of the Gospel in their family, their school, their work and their social and civic life. (#49) TEACHINGS Encourages non-violent actions The rights of the people must be preserved. No one should be deprived of his ordinary right. Priest and the Religious should receive a sufficient livelihood and enjoy social security which is customary in their region. The Lays should be given fare wages in a system for promotion Women should have their own share of responsibility and participation in society Mixed commission of men and women, religious and lay, of differing situation and competence. Freedom of expression and thought (includes the right of everyone to be heard in the spirit of dialogue which preserve a legitimate diversity within the church. Give the accused the right to know his accusers and also the right to a proper defense (Justice should include speed in its procedure especially marriage cases. Members of the church should have some share in making decisions. Commend collaboration with all believers in God in promoting social justice, peace and freedom.