Fr Liam Power: Celebrating Pentecost challenges us to respect the common good
Catholic Social Teaching attempts to balance individual rights against social rights, social capital as well as economic growth.
On Sunday next Christians celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on all creation.
It is the life-giving Spirit, the Spirit of renewal and hope for all people. It is the Spirit of Jesus who proclaimed a kingdom of life and justice for all and who wanted all people to flourish.
Christians believe that the Spirit of Jesus sides with the oppressed in their struggle for life. When people are ground down, this violates the way the Holy Spirit wants the world to be.
Christians believe that the mission or purpose of the Spirit is to bring healing, redemption and liberation from dehumanising suffering. It is an affirmation of the unique dignity of every person, made in the image and likeness of the Creator and the equality of all in the eyes of the loving God.
In so many ways, these fundamental tenets of Christianity are totally compatible with the ideals of Liberalism. That is the philosophical tradition centred on the dignity, freedom, and rights of the person and that all should be treated equally under the law regardless of class, religion, ethnicity, or background.
However, some expressions of Liberalism in its economic and social forms uphold the right of the person to pursue their own self-interest regardless of the consequences. A radical individualism is promoted without regard to consequences or unrestrained by consideration for the good of society.
I came across a book recently by an American Catholic political scientist, Patrick Dineen, titled “Why Liberalism Failed”. He argues that to make an absolute out of the pursuit of self-interest is ultimately self-defeating. He points out that a philosophy “that was launched to foster greater equality, defend pluralism… protect human dignity and expand liberty, in practice, enforces uniformity… fosters material and spiritual degradation and undermines freedom.”
Very strong words but there is a truth here. Pursuit of self-interest and neglect of the greater or common good cannot promote stability and harmony in society. This is so evident in the economic forum where extreme forms of capitalism are unregulated.
We have all experienced the devastating effects of industries moving their businesses to places with the cheapest labour and no worker protection.
Catholic Social Teaching, reflecting on the doctrine of the liberating Spirit of Jesus, claims that, whilst the pursuit of self-interest is good, and upholding the autonomy of each person is proper, my pursuit of self-interest, the pursuit of my desires, hopes, and dreams must be regulated by the idea of the common good.
The right of each person to freedom, well-being, and personal development is limited by the rights of other people.
In their recently published “Guide to a Fairer Irish Society”, Social Justice Ireland points out that we must recognise the fact that we live in a community with our neighbours, and that the person develops their potential in the context of society where the needs and rights of all members and groups are respected.
We have a vibrant economy at present. It is the duty of the Government to promote policies that foster the common good and well-being of every member of our society.
The high level of poverty in our country (over 600,000 people are at risk of poverty), the level of homelessness, and the housing shortage compel us to look beyond a sole focus on economic growth.
The energy price crisis has impacted severely on many vulnerable households. All indications are that we can expect a prolonged setback as fuel prices escalate.
Social Justice Ireland believes that a minimum weekly income of €370 per adult is required to keep people above the poverty line. It recommends that the Government must increase State investment in social housing and decentralise responsibility to local authorities and increase social housing stock to 20 per cent of total housing stock by 2040. This approach would support many households out of homelessness, ensure housing is built where it is most needed and would considerably reduce reliance on the private rental sector.
Catholic Social Teaching attempts to balance individual rights against social rights, social capital as well as economic growth. It is informed by the concept of the Common Good.
The corpus of doctrine is an attempt to ensure consistency between the Christian experience of God and our lives in society. This experience is condensed in a dramatic way in the Feast of Pentecost.
The celebration of Pentecost is a celebration of the God of life who does not want any person to suffer degradation. The sufferings of the poor and marginalised are contrary to the liberating message of the life-giving Spirit.
The Spirit of God journeys with the poor and excluded. We are all challenged to respond to that presence in faith and hope and to take responsibility to develop a more sustainable and equitable society in whatever way we can.
