The Social Gospel Is Not a Choice

In Korea, as in other parts of the Catholic world, many find it difficult to reconcile the actions of the clergy and religious with the Gospel message. Why do the clergy and religious get involved in politics? An article in Bible & Life by a seminary moral professor returns to the issue for the readers.
 
The article begins with the Sewol ferry disaster that on April 16, 2014, heading for Jejudo capsized, killing more than 300 people, mostly students. It was one of the worst Korean maritime disasters. The tragedy sparked a public outcry that continues even today blaming the government in large part for poor safety standards and the resulting rescue work.
 
Since many priests and religious were on the side of the victims and wanted answers, this was seen as getting involved in politics by some of the citizens. A yellow ribbon was the symbol of the Sewol tragedy and for many years after the tragedy, a tiny yellow ribbon was seen on clothing and many other articles. A sign of solidarity with the families of those suffering and in remembrance of the dead.
 
The ribbon is also a sign of division as much as unity. A division between the 'right' and 'left', seen also within the church community. The professor mentions one of the Catholics, seeing the actions of the church in regards to the Sewol Disaster, wanted the funds he gave for the formation of priests returned to him. Did the person feel priests and religious were to leave these problems to others and concentrate on prayer and the Gospel?
 
This issue is one that has to do with the very life of the church. The  Second Vatican Council stressed we are the people of God, all of us are called to follow the Gospel message. We are all members of society and when society is not directed to the common good— faced with injustice, corruption, it's necessary to sound the alarm. This is the social gospel which with the doctrine of faith are not to be separated. They do not depend on our taste nor is it a matter of choice but to know and do.
 
Teachings on our social life was always recognized but in 1891 Pope Leo 13th in his encyclical Rerum Novarum (Of New Things), the teaching took on a different aspect with the rights of laborers and their problems—considered by many as the labor charter.
 
This teaching has a firm foundation within the church, giving us four basic principles of the social gospel. Human dignity: we are created in the image and likeness of God. The common good: is to desire the good of the other and to take steps to secure it. This is the good of all, made up of individuals, families who make up society. Subsidiarity: an organizing principle where matters ought to be handled by the smallest competent authority. Solidarity: all one family in the world, building communities that empower everyone to attain their full potential, through each respecting each other.
 
When the rights of others are not respected and injustices are rampant than we are going in the opposite direction in building up God's kingdom. When this is the case how can the church remain silent? This is not politics. "Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation." (Mark 16:15). This is the primary mission of the church.