By Alison Bradish, Archdiocese of Regina.
It was not uncommon for a person near and dear to me in my upbringing to honk and wave when we drove past a picket line, no matter the location. From a young age I felt I was versed in what a union was and how, at the end of the day, you shouldn’t judge those who cross the picket line. The message passed down to me was workers needed to be respected, people had the right of association and people had to feed their families.
Later, I would be exposed to a different take. The complexities of being the one in charge.
The dignity of work, economic realities and how we relate to each other in these spheres; what does the Catholic church have to say on this matter and why should we care?
Firstly, the Church categorizes much of her social doctrine on economic activity under the seventh commandment. You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15). The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) speaks to the universal destination of goods and in the same token the respect for the right to private property. The Church endorses no political philosophy or economic system. (Or at least she tries not to.) What the Church does proclaim is humanity is at the centre of all this drama of work, the right to work and a fair and just wage.
“Economic life brings into play different interests, often opposed to one another. This explains why the conflicts that characterize it arise. Efforts should be made to reduce these conflicts by negotiation that respects the rights and duties of each social partner: those responsible for business enterprises, representatives of wage-earners-for example, trade unions-and public authorities when appropriate.” (CCC 2430) Please note italicized words are the emphasis of the Catechism.
The Catechism says the Church proposes “principles for reflection”, “criteria for judgement” and “guidelines for action” when it comes to her social teaching.
Summarized one could say employers are supposed to be fair and so are employees. Don’t steal from each other. Employees do their duties and employers do the same. Neither should be holding back (the employee should not hold back their work and the employer should not hold back what is due to the employee, good working conditions, etc.).
Safety concerns, unjust labour conditions, these are straight forward offenses against the dignity of the person and require action. But how do we apply these principles and guidelines when the issues do not appear as clear cut as basic human rights? How do we show solidarity (a Catholic social teaching principle) in instances where we may be required to decide as an individual within an organization?
For guidance the Catechism offers up the following:
“Recourse to a strike is morally legitimate when it cannot be avoided, or at least when it is necessary to obtain a proportionate benefit. It becomes morally unacceptable when accompanied by violence, or when objectives are included that are not directly linked to working conditions or are contrary to the common good.” (CCC 2435)
Here is another aspect for reflection, “Those responsible for business enterprises are responsible to society for the economic and ecological effects of their operations. They have an obligation to consider the good of persons and not only the increase of profits. Profits are necessary, however. They make possible the investments that ensure the future of a business and they guarantee employment.” (CCC 2432)
When does the Church take a stand in a labour dispute? When is it necessary to do so?
“The Church makes a moral judgement about economic and social matters ‘when the fundamental rights of the person or the salvation of souls requires it’. In the moral order she bears a mission distinct from that of political authorities: the Church is concerned with the temporal aspects of the common good because they are ordered to the sovereign Good, our ultimate end. She strives to inspire right attitudes with respect to earthly goods and in socio-economic relationships.” (CCC 2420)
There is much for reflection, interpretation and maybe debate among what the Church proposes for resolving conflict in the fields of social and economic life.
In all honesty, it can be frustrating when we sense there is not clear-cut path ahead. I still cringe when I see people shop at places where people are out front picketing. I might not even personally understand what’s at play, but I do see something is up, and that makes me mindful of whether I am going to choose to open those doors and spend my money there. I teared up when I watched the Newsies. Does that make me a bleeding-heart socialist or just human? I also don’t think people should be demonized for not agreeing with the collective or for trying to cut through propaganda and get to the facts.
As a Catholic I am sometimes tempted to wish the Church would just tell me what to do when I think I don’t know. But all she does is point to Jesus, and frankly, I think He’s hard to hear in all the commotion, and most of the time He’s completely locked out of the conversation.
That’s why I am attracted to Catholic social teaching. At least there’s something solid to reflect on. Guidance free of being manipulated by corporations, unions, family ties and personal bias. The Church’s interest is the good of the human person. That’s something worth taking into consideration.
More about this topic can be found in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, published in 2004.
Alison Bradish lives in Moose Jaw with her husband and two children. They attend St. Joseph’s Parish. She earned Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of Regina. She is naturally curious about local and world events. She writes from her home where she strives to bloom where she is planted. She often feels pulled to the topics of religion, education and politics.
