From Ozanam to John Paul II : Poverty and the need for Social Justice (May 2009)

On a Vincentian website I came across a number of statements attributed to Blessed Frederic Ozanam; among them was the following:-

"Social Structures and the Role of Youth"

"The problem which divides people today is not a political problem; it is a social one. It is a matter of knowing which will get the upper hand, the spirit of selfishness or the spirit of sacrifice; whether society will go for ever-increasing enjoyment and profit, or for everyone devoting themselves to the common good....

Many people have too much and still want more. Others do not have enough, or do not have anything at all, and they want to take by force what is not being given to them. A war is threatening between these two groups.

Fr Perry Gildea - Vincentian Fathers

Cliftonville Road, Belfast 15

On one side, the power of wealth, on the other the force of desperation. We must get in between these two groups, at least to reduce the impact if we cannot stop it. Because we are young; because we are not wealthy, we can more easily fill the role of mediators" - <click here for more>

This language is similar to that of our recent Popes as they addressed themselves to the social problems in need of serious solutions either globally or locally. Thus in his Encyclical on Social Justice Pope John Paul II writes:-

"Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and preserving determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.

This determination is based on the solid conviction that what is hindering full development is the desire for profit and that thirst for power already mentioned. These attitudes and 'structures of sin' are only conquered - presupposing the help of devine grace - by a diametrically opposed attitude; a commitment to the good of one's neighbour with the readiness, in the gospel sense, to 'lose oneself' for the sake of the other instead of exploiting him, and to 'serve him' instead of oppressing him for one's own advantage." (cf. Mt 10:40-42; 20:25; Mk 10:42-45; Lk 22:25-27).

The exercise of solidarity within each society is valid when its members recognise one another as persons. Those who are more influential, because they have a greater share of goods and common services, should feel responsible for the weaker and be ready to share with them all they possess.

Those who are weaker, for their part, in the same spirit of solidarity, should not adopt a purely passive attitude or one that is destructive of the social fabric, but, while claiming the legitimate rights, should do what they can for the good of all.

Archived Reflections....click here

The intermediate groups, in their turn, should not selfishly insist on their particular interests, but respect the interests of others.

Positive signs in the contemporary world are the growing awareness of the solidarity of the poor among themselves, their efforts to support one another, and their public demonstrations on the social scene, which, without recourse to violence, present their own needs and rights in the face of the inefficiency or corruption of the public authorities.

By virtue of her own evangelical duty the Church feels called to take her stand beside the poor, to discern the justice of their requests, and to help satisfy them, without losing sight of the good of groups in the context of the common good. ('Solicitudo Rei Socialis' paragraphs 38 & 39)

Fr Perry (May 2009)

Pope John Paul II