“Solidarity is a matter of justice” (Pope Francis)
Years ago, Pope Benedict reminded us that “As society becomes ever more globalised, it makes us neighbours but does not make us brothers and sisters.” How true. The virtue of solidarity is a key social justice principle. Each of us does not journey through life alone. The Catholic Church teaches that “we are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. Learning to practise the virtue of solidarity means learning that ‘loving our neighbour’ has global dimensions in an interdependent world.”
The words of Pope St John Paul II helps us to understand the meaning of this virtue: “Solidarity is an authentic moral virtue, not a ‘feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. That is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”
On a day when I found myself comforting and strategising with a victim of domestic violence, Henry Saunders, chairman, Arima Rebranding Team, rang me asking if I would contribute to Arima Broadcasting Network’s (ABN) 2nd Independence Day Special Virtual Show on Tuesday, August 31, to mark T&T’s 59th Anniversary of Independence. Mr James Toussaint is the president of ABN, which is the communication voice of the Arima Rebranding Team (ART, a group of Professionals and Community Activists).
Of course I agreed. What an opportunity to share my thoughts on the theme: Solidarity to Build a Better T&T. I am sure they will live up to the statement in their press release — presenting a “star-studded field of guests,” which will also include Matthew Pierre, who leads the Santa Rosa/Malabar Cluster Ministry to Migrants and Refugees. He is also the Community Liaison Officer, working with me on the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants and Refugees. He will focus on the theme: The pragmatism of Justice, Peace and Hospitality. The show will truly be an Independence Day Treat. Tune in!
Independence is inextricably linked to interdependence. We must stand in solidarity with each other to address the many social ills that confront us, including those caused by the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic. T&T will only emerge triumphant from the pandemic and its far-reaching consequences, if we work together to build our nation.
Pope Francis rightly says: “The current pandemic has highlighted our interdependence: we are all connected to each other, for better or for worse. Therefore, to emerge from this crisis better than before, we have to do so together; together, not alone… in solidarity…It is essential to restore to this word “solidarity , viewed askance by the world of economics , as if it were a bad word , the social citizenship that it deserves. Solidarity is not an additional attitude, it is not a form of social alms-giving but, rather, a social value; and it asks us for its citizenship.”
He says solidarity involves creating a mindset which thinks “in terms of community and the priority of life of all over the appropriation of goods by a few.” More than that, he says solidarity “is a matter of justice...While modern society places more importance on one’s own interests regardless of or even to the detriment of others…[true Christians] ban individualism in order to encourage sharing and solidarity...The many situations of inequality, poverty and injustice, are signs not only of a profound lack of fraternity, but also of the absence of a culture of solidarity.”
Let’s reflect on the words of St Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one member suffers, all suffer together.” Solidarity calls us to play our part, for example, in reaching out to our brothers and sisters who are affected by recent floods in T&T and by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake which struck Haiti recently, causing widespread destruction. More than 2,000 people have died there. The Catholic Church joins with a number of other organisations in T&T in collecting funds and resources for the relief effort. Solidarity also includes prayers. Let us lift up in prayer also all those in Afghanistan, and those who have been displaced as a result of the recent events there.
Solidarity will help us to build fraternity and promote integral human development. Let’s build a culture of solidarity in T&T.