Hotline Asia -- Social Concern Notes

Parish Social Concern Groups - Church's Social Teachings
~ Principle of Participation ~
Lesson 13

Question & Answer || Church Teaching || Thinking About Justice || Facilitators' Notes
 

Introduction

LUCKY SLEEPS

Elderly Mr. Wong collects used soda cans to earn a living. One day his dog, "Lucky", gets sick. Mr. Wong brings him to the veterinarian. The doctor knows that the cost of treatment would amount to HK$852 and that Mr. Wong would have to cut back on his own food and perhaps injure his health. So the doctor "puts Lucky to sleep." Later the doctor informs Mr. Wong.
 
Question & Answer
Question:  
  1. Can you think of any reasons why Mr. Wong might be angry at the doctor?
  2. What is the doctor's most fundamental error?
Answer:  
  1. _______________________________________
  2. _______________________________________
 

Social Teachings of the Church

"It is in full accord with human nature that juridical-political structures should, with ever better success and without any discrimination, afford all their citizens the chance to participate freely and actively in establishing the constitutional bases of a political community, governing the state, determining the scope and purpose of various institutions, and choosing leaders." Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Second Vatican Council, December 7, 1965, #75 in Joseph Gremillion, The Gospel of Peace and Justice, (Orbis Books, New York, 1976.) p. 310.
 

Thinking About Justice

  1. Why do you think the government hesitates to give us the power to totally elect the Legislative Council?
  2. Are you satisfied the way Hong Kong Catholics participate in those decisions that affect their religious life? Why? Why Not?
  3. Are you satisfied by the way in which Cheung Chau residents participate in those decisions that affect their lives on this island? Why? Why not?
  4. Are you satisfied by the way we Hong Kong Catholics participate in those decisions that affect our life of Faith? Why? Why not?
  5. How might we increase the level of participation in one of these areas?
 
Facilitators' Notes

In these series, we have been singling out "Words" which must be understood if we are to appreciate the social teachings of the Church. We already have presented the "Words": Human Person, Human Life, Right of Association, Solidarity, Stewardship, Common Good. These concepts have existed for centuries, but in the past 150 years, the following words have taken on vigorous and inspiring connotations in the Church's social teachings.

One such word is "Participation."

CHURCH TEACHING

"It is in full accord with human nature that
juridical-political structures
should, with ever better success and without any discrimination,
afford all their citizens the chance to participate freely and actively in
establishing the constitutional bases of a political community,
governing the state,
determining the scope and purpose of various institutions, and choosing leaders."

Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Second Vatican Council, December 7, 1965, #75 in Joseph Gremillion, The Gospel of Peace and Justice, (Orbis Books, New York, 1976.) p. 310. [Emphasis added.]

LUCKY SLEEPS

Mr. Wong should have "participated" in this decision. Perhaps Mr. Wong valued the friendship of "Lucky" greater than a healthy meal. Perhaps Mr. Wong would have preferred the companionship of Lucky to a few extra years of life. In other words, Mr. Wong knew his situation and the veterinarian should have let Mr. Wong "participate" in this decision. Perhaps there are other people who should have "participated" in this decision: Mr. Wong's his wife, his medical doctor, etc.

VETERNARIAN'S FUNDAMENTAL ERROR

Possible Responses:

  • Thought he knew what was good for Mr. Wong.

  • Thought he knew what Mr. Wong was thinking.

  • Thought Mr. Wong put all authority in his hands.

  • Did not give Mr. Wong an opportunity to participate in this decision.

THINKING ABOUT JUSTICE

This concept opens a whole arena of actors.

  1. When and how do parents responsibly enable children to participate in family decision making?

  2. How do people participate in the Faith life of their parish?

  3. What do leaders do when people "don't seem to care"?

  4. How do we deal of government paternalism?

  5. How do we deal of cultural paternalism?
 

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