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Dignity Of Human Labor-- for St. Vincent's Parish Bulletin by: Dennis Wells Following the principle of human dignity – we are all made in the image and likeness of our Creator – Catholic Social Teaching has heeded the scriptural words of this same Creator who said, "let them care for my world, tending my creatures", that we may all share in what has been graciously given to us. In Laborem Exercens John Paul II reinforces the Catholic social belief that human labor is an extension of the creating activity of God – There is dignity, therefore, in our work. In the years following the Industrial Revolution, the Western world struggled with a new economic system that allowed a single worker to do a single task on behalf of thousands, freeing each one of those thousands to perform some other task. One difficulty came in the fact that the technology that made this possible cost a lot of money. The few who had the money for the technology exploited the more common laborer as merely one of many commodities; a commodity no different than cotton, steel, or tobacco. Just like the old medieval Feudal system, Capitalism demands that those with the capital are 'entitled' to the fruits of the labor of others – except that the modern feudal princes are called CEO’s. However, in a perverse turn, unlike in the Feudal system, modern princes (CEO’s) have NO obligation to protect their vassals from ill and harm -- there is no social contract; and often, not even a legal contract. In all too many places, human labor is viewed as a “resource” in the economic equation rather than as an activity of dignity -- a dignity derived from the very life of God, our Creator. The reason that we divide labor activities in the first place is so that each of us does not have to hunt and gather, as well as provide water and other amenities, for ourselves alone. If we divide the work, then we all share in the benefits. The contribution of each individual in the system earns the same basic well-being as the contribution of others in the system – the manager is free to manage because her/his water, electricity, paper supply, dinner, housing, etc., is provided by the contribution of the labor of others. The system should be reciprocal. Catholic social teaching has always insisted that personal generosity is necessary but is not enough to ensure that all are provided for; the system itself must be equitable. In Divini Redemptoris, Pius XI states, “Let no one attempt with small gifts of charity to exempt himself (sic) from the great duties imposed by justice” (par. 49). In Economic Justice for All, one of the issues that the U.S. Bishops address is that of employment. They note that unemployment (or underemployment) is demoralizing and it erodes human dignity. They even claim that, “Full employment is the foundation of a just society” (par. 136). When people cannot fully exercise their fundamental right to make a decent living, then society has committed an offense against their dignity. When human dignity is under attack, how can we expect to live in peace? ** John Paul II goes so far as to refer to the State as an "indirect employer" in the equation of human labor relationships. One reaction to the consolidation of property into the hands of a few was Socialism – No one can hold property, all goods are at the disposal of all people. History has taught us a practical lesson – that property, and thus power, will always be hoarded and that socialism can only exist in an unattainable (and thus a 'false') altruistic State. Beyond this practical concern is the moral stance that Rerum Novarum stood upon: namely, that every human is entitled to the fruits of her/his labor.
____________________________________________________________________________________ Index, Catholic Social Teaching: Overview; 1)Human life & dignity, 2)Call to family, community/ participation, 3)Rights/Responsibilities, 4)Option for the poor/vulnerable, 5)Dignity of human labor, 6)Solidarity, 7)Stewardship of Creation; Summary: Catholic Social Teaching Look here for more links on Catholic Social Teaching |
Parish Mission Statement We, the people of St. Vincent's Parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, are committed to following Christ, evangelizer of the poor. We do this through: |