Hotline Asia -- Social Concern Notes

Question & Answer || Church Teaching || Thinking About Justice

Introduction

BEWARE OF FAILING ROCKS

There was a road that connected two villages. The road went through a rocky mountain pass. In one of the villages, there were many road accidents. Big rocks often fell from the mountain onto the road. Whenever an accident occurred and someone was hurt, the villagers would rush to the scene and carry the victims to the clinic. The kindness of the village was known throughout the region. People called it "Loving Charity Village." Every year the regional government awarded "Loving Charity Village" first prize in recognition of their great kindnesses to the victims of road accidents.

In the other village, there were no accidents. The villagers had organized themselves. They took turns removing the rocks from the road each day. They also encouraged the government officials to stop taking graft and use the money to hire a team of workers to regularly repair the slope. This villagers never won a prize.

Social Teachings of the Church

"Direct aid is an appropriate response to immediate, extraordinary needs caused by natural catastrophes, epidemics and the likedestitution or to. But it does not suffice to repair the grave damage resulting from provide a lasting solution to a country's needs." Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2440.

Thinking About Justice

1. What should be the immediate Christian response to hunger in Mongolia and the earthquake in India?
2. What kinds of Christian actions would promote a "lasting solution".
3. What is the relationship between India's military spending and the poor building construction?
4. What is something, albeit small, that we can do in Hong Kong to contribute to a lasting solution?

back to contents