JUSTICE AND SOLIDARITY
The mission of the Archdiocese of Moncton's Diocesan Justice and Solidarity Team is to promote social justice and solidarity in the community. Its role is to support efforts in the diocese to promote social justice for the poor, disadvantaged and victims of injustice. The Team is made up of Justice and Solidarity representatives from various pastoral units in the Diocese of Moncton.
The team seeks to ensure a presence among the underprivileged, disadvantaged or victims of injustice, to help them find solutions to their problems. We seek to inform parishioners and the public of the poverty and injustice suffered by those around us.
We want to work to alleviate this poverty by supporting self-help projects and initiatives, and by recognizing the work and achievements of those in need. We also seek to remind parish communities that they must concern themselves with issues of justice and poverty, and make efforts to ensure that everyone feels included. Let's remember Tobias' words: "Do not turn away your face from any poor person" (Tb 4, 7).
We realize, however, that solidarity must go beyond the boundaries of the parish or pastoral unit. We therefore support the actions proposed by Development and Peace-Caritas Canada and the Pontifical Societies of Canada.
The work we do is inseparable from our faith. That's precisely what sets us apart from protest groups. Our daily lives must be enlightened by Christ. The Church therefore invites us to know and communicate to others the seven fundamental principles of her social teaching that are essential to faith. The Church's preferential option for the poor stems from this. You may find a short explanation of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and its seven fundamental principles by clicking on the following link: Document on the Church's Social Doctrine
Love of neighbor is at the heart of the Church's social thinking, so therefore, two basic principles are essential and inseparable: respect for human life and the dignity of every human person.
Jesus himself loved the poor with a special love, and the principles of his teaching are rooted in God, for whom every human person is equal. In Him we find the right vision and the energy to persevere in the long term. By praying and trusting in Him, the Spirit will work through us and empower us.
The church in Moncton, as elsewhere, is always changing. It's becoming truer, and therefore richer. To take social justice and solidarity to heart is to demonstrate a Church that is a tangible and visible sign of God's goodness wherever men, women and children are. It means making known the love that Jesus taught us so well.