UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION OF A PARISH
COMMUNITY IN PROMOTING A JUST SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION
Parishes are uniquely equipped to foster a more just and caring society. In this lesson, we hope that our Social Concerns group will deepen its appreciation of its potential for political, economic and social change in its parish community.

QUESTION

1. Give an example of the behavior of a "bad parish".
   Sample Responses:
   Open a center for Aids patients
   Train workers in organizational skills.
   Protest corruption
   
2. Do you think the Mayor would consider your parish a
   "bad parish?" Why/why not?
   In what areas does your parish cooperate and support the local government officials? In what areas does your parish and the local government seem to be working at cross purposes? What has your parish community been doing to create a more just society in accord with gospel principles and the social teachings of the Church? Do you belong to a "good parish?"

SOCIAL TEACHING OF THE CHURCH
"Christ, to be sure, gave His Church no proper mission in the political, economic, or social order. The purpose which He set before her is a religious one. But out of this religious mission itself come a function, a light, and an energy which can serve to structure and consolidate the human community according to the divine law. As a matter of fact when circumstances of time and place create the need, she can and indeed should initiate activities on behalf of all men." Church in Modern World, Walter M. Abbott, (Editor), Documents of Vatican II (New York: Guild Press, 1966) #42 p. 241. [Emphasis added]

This Church teaching reminds those of us who are members of a vibrant parish community, that we similarly have a unique "function". We share in the "light and "energy" which can serve to structure and consolidate the human community-at least our little township--according to the divine law." An active member of such a parish has a network of support and contacts that most members of the public lack. (Cf. below for "Unique Contribution of a Parish Community in Promoting a Just Society.") Suggested Reading: David Hollenbach, The Common Good, Christian Ethics, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002) Chapter Four: Religion in Public pp. 87-112.

“THOU SHALT THINK”
Name three special features of a Christian parish that enable its members to engage effectively in political, economic and social issues.
Sample Responses: