Hotline Asia -- Social Concern Notes

Parish Social Concern Groups - Church's Social Teachings
~ I'm Drowning; Causes: Structural Analysis ~
Lesson 1

Question & Answer || Church Teaching || Reflection
 

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

"HELP! I'M DROWNING!" Mr. Kwok's home is next to a river and one day he saw a boy struggling in the river. As soon as he heard the cry for help, Mr. Kwok took off his shoes, jumped into the river and saved the boy. Everyone was happy and the neighbors praised his courage.

But the next day, Mr. Kwok again heard a cry for help. He again risked his life to save a little girl. From then on every day, one or two children would call for help and Mr. Kwok would save them. Then one day Mr. Kwok asked: "Who is throwing these children in the river?" Mr. Kwok then walked up the river to find out.

Lesson:   This story explains the difference between direct service and social justice.
 
Question & Answer
Question:   What is the difference between direct service and social justice?
Answer:   In "direct service", we attend to the urgent and immediate needs of those who suffer. In social justice, we not only give them immediate aid, we also seek to discover the causes of their suffering and remove the causes.
 

Social Teachings of the Church

"...the Parish Social Concern Group aims to directly serve those in need... and to promote social justice..." Diocesan Guidelines for Parish Social Concern Groups (1999) p. 13.
 
Reflection

Read today's newspaper about a group of people who are suffering. Ask: "What are the causes of this suffering? What is being done to remove the root causes? What can our community do?"
 

back to contents