by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
“No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world … I would like to make an appeal to those in possession of greater resources, to public authorities and to all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity” – Pope Francis.
Today, Sunday, the world observes International Human Solidarity Day. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has said: “The United Nations believes that solidarity with people affected by poverty and an absence of human rights is vital. Based on equality, inclusion and social justice, solidarity implies a mutual obligation across the global community…”
“As the world shapes a new sustainable development agenda to succeed the Millennium Development Goals we must be firm in our commitment to champion solidarity and shared responsibility as part of the sustainable development agenda. These are fundamental values that must be upheld. Only through collective action can we address such far reaching issues as poverty and growing inequality, climate change, chronic poverty and major health challenges…
Let us act together as one to end poverty, achieve shared prosperity and peace, protect the planet and foster a life of dignity for all.” “Solidarity”, a key social justice principle, “is a direct demand of human and Christian brotherhood and sisterhood” (CCC 1939). Although we are one human family, sadly, as Pope Emeritus Benedict said: “As society becomes ever more globalised, it makes us neighbours but does not make us brothers and sisters.”
St John Paul II said in his encyclical, On Social Concern,solidarity “is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all… Interdependence must be transformed into solidarity, based upon the principle that the goods of creation are meant for all.”
As Catholics we are called, particularly during this Year of Mercy, to promote respect for the dignity of each human person and for all God’s creation. Solidarity with God’s creation will inevitably enhance the well-being of all of humanity.
Just as human beings are interdependent, so too there is ecological interdependence between humans and our environment – that is why Pope Francis highlights the issue of “integral ecology” in his encyclical, Laudato Si.
On Friday we will celebrate the birth of the Christchild. We are the Body of Christ in the world; individually and collectively, we are Christ’s instruments and are called to stand in solidarity with others to promote justice, peace, truth, love, freedom and forgiveness in our homes, our communities, in T&T and in the world.
Love of God and of neighbour has global dimensions. So, while we enjoy Parang, fruit cake, sorrel etc., let us ask God to be merciful to the 59.5 million displaced people across the world who are forced to flee their homes because of war, conflict or persecution; and to the nearly 36 million people worldwide who live in modern day slavery and who, according to the Global Slavery Index, are subject to forced labour, debt bondage, trafficking, sexual exploitation for money and forced or servile marriage. The Walk Free Foundation said it found evidence of slavery in all of the 167 countries it surveyed in 2014.
Let’s promote solidarity within our families also. Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si that “Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice.”
How many of our elderly are placed in homes or abandoned by their children in hospitals without any concern for their continued welfare? Catholics are called to swim against the tide of what Pope Francis calls our “throwaway culture” and the “globalization of indifference.” Our Church tells us that we must help people move from less human to more human conditions of life.
I urge you to read Archbishop Harris’ Pastoral Letter entitled: “Merciful like the Father”.
He asks us to consider: “How do I live the Eucharist? Do I live it acknowledging the many brothers and sisters who share the same table? We must assume our responsibility to speak out against attitudes and customs that dehumanise our people.” Let us do as he says and “move out of our apathy and assume more fully our duty as guardians of the good of our nation…” Wishing you all Christ’s peace and love at Christmas and always.
