Catholic social teaching provides instruction for each of us as members of the human family with regard to our rights in this world and responsibilities toward one another.
It might be useful to go to the extreme to demonstrate this principle. Let us consider the AIDS orphan in Africa—she has done absolutely nothing to create this state of life for herself, created by the death of her parents to AIDS.
Who will now ensure that she gets an education, has clothing, a home, a future? The Church would tell us that it is our (the human family’s) responsibility to care for her needs.
In 2002, the U.S. bishops shared a pastoral reflection titled “A Place at the Table,” in which they seek to inspire each and every one of us to help ensure that all of humanity has a place at the table of the family of God. This table is not only an image as the place to eat food, but the place where voices are heard and policy decisions are made.
People of wealth, power and influence often have a very strong voice at the table, so we are called to help amplify the voice or, at times, “be” the voice of the poor and vulnerable. Who will be the voice of that young AIDS orphan?
As uncomfortable as it may be from time to time, this principle of Catholic social teaching requires us to look at our brother or sister—no matter their race, creed, language, way of life—and assist them when we see unmet needs.
As followers of Jesus, it is part of his Gospel mandate to do no less.
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