Solidarity In Truth, Truth In Charity
One of the seven key principles of Catholic social teaching is Solidarity. A 2005 publication by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provided the following description of this particular principle:
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic,
economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’
keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions
in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of
justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for
justice.” The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters
and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by
violence and conflict. [USCCB Publication No. 5-315]
Thus, the principle of solidarity is rooted in the notion of all humanity being united as one human family. It necessarily follows that there is no place for prejudice, bias, hate crimes, so-called ethnic cleansing or genocide. There is more that unites than divides us as human beings. Fundamental to Catholic social teaching, each and every human person is created in the image of God. As such, the dignity and life of every human being from the moment of conception to natural death is sacred. The sacredness and dignity of a person are not dependent upon his/her religious beliefs, political agenda, sexual orientation, productivity, popularity, social status, demeanor or any aspect of human merit.
Pope Francis has spoken and written extensively on the need for greater dialogue, mutual respect, accompaniment, missionary discipleship, healing wounds, care for creation and going out to the margins and peripheries of society. In essence, these are all attributes of solidarity. Authentic solidarity, however, is rooted in truth. Apart from truth, any attempt at solidarity becomes merely false justification, wreckless abandonment, patronizing, misleading and disingenuous. Knowing where and how to discover authentic truth is especially important. Truth must be based on actual facts rather than a mere sense of fairness, feelings or even majority opinion. In order to embrace solidarity as a virtue in pursuit of actual justice and peace, we must be able to discern, accept and proclaim the truth. This must be so even when the truth is considered to be unpopular, politically incorrect or antiquated. Regardless of how it is perceived or received, truth must always be proclaimed in charity. At times, solidarity demands that individuals be willing to sacrifice for the sake of the common good.
As we enter into Holy Week, we do well to consider how Jesus Christ maintained a sense of solidarity with the Father’s will as well as with all humanity while any attempts of solidarity among those around him were undone by fear, jealousy and self-righteousness. People who consider themselves spiritual and/or religious, like any other human beings, are prone to letting emotions get the best of faith and reason. Persevering in the mission of His passion, death and resurrection, Jesus Christ restored the dignity of humanity and its ability to embrace truth in charity toward authentic solidarity.
To proclaim truth in charity, it is essential to keep in mind that tone is as important as content when speaking or acting in the name of truth. The Catholic Church is in the business of saving souls, not shaming and writing off sinners. As central to the call of New Evangelization, we must seek to attract persons to personal encounter with Jesus Christ. For Christians, solidarity rooted in personal and communal relationship with Jesus Christ is the surest way to realizing true justice and peace. Such solidarity, based on truth in charity, seeks not to exclude, but to include believers and non-believers alike. Regardless of any differences—national, racial, ethnic, economic or ideological—we must be keepers of our brothers and sisters. That’s what family does!
