Psalm

• Solidarity


  A firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good
• Solidarity


  • Involves our will, choosing to act, and is not just a feeling
  • Grows as people see others as another self
  • The exercise of solidarity within each society is valid when its members recognize one another as persons
• God gave humans dominion over the earth's resources
• The goods of creation are intended for the common good of all human beings
• We are responsible for caring for the earth, using its resources for future generations
• We must respect the integrity of all creation
• Humans should treat animals with kindness


  Because they are God's creatures and their existence glorifies him
• Animals are entrusted to the stewardship of human beings


  It is morally permissible to domesticate them or use them for food and clothing
• It goes against human dignity to cause any animal to suffer or die needlessly
• We show respect for the Creator by caring for all of his creation
• Ways we care for creation

  • Treating animals humanely
  • Using the earth's resources wisely
  • Not wasting energy or natural resources
  • Reusing instead of throwing out
  • Not polluting the environment
  • Cleaning up existing pollution
• Solidarity


  • A personal commitment to build up the bonds of unity and love in social relations
  • We cannot treat certain individuals or social group as superior
  • We must practice solidarity on every level of society
• Solidarity


  Determination to commit oneself to the common good because we are all one family and we are responsible for each other
• Barriers to solidarity that must be overcome

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Gender
  • Nationality
  • Ethnicity
  • Economic status
• Solidarity prevents rich from being indifferent to the poverty and human rights violations experienced by people living in other nations
• Damage to the environment

  • Arisen due to the Industrial Revolution, modern economic order, and a lopsided notion of progress and development
• The modern world often seeks to improve life through material improvements and technological innovations
• The drive for progress often harms human dimensions of psychological and spiritual well-being
• A technocratic mentality can lead us to think that the solution to every human problem can be found in technology, while the real problem is a loss of respect for human dignity and rights
• Consumerism


  The belief that fulfillment is to be found in the acquisition of consumer goods
• When we place all our faith and confidence in humanity's ingenuity and industry, we make an idol out of technology and become prideful in our accomplishments
• Jesus teaches us to seek first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be given to us
• Moral principles the Church offers to guide efforts to address ecological challenges


  • Integral human development: focus societally on the development of the whole person—our body and soul, including our moral and cultural growth
  • Stewardship: the biblical notion of the human family as having responsibility to care for creation as God intended
  • Pro-Life Ethic: respect the integrity of creation and the sanctity of human life as the essential good of God's creation
• Ways we practice solidarity

  • Whenever we work for the common good
  • Whenever we work to overcome the barriers that prevent us from reaching out to others
• Treating people equally, regardless of their gender, race or national origin


  • For instance, if our employment practices discriminate unfairly against a group of people, we can practice solidarity by reforming the practices