What Has the Church to Say about Justice Within the Church?

By Gerry Hefferan
Association of Catholic Priests
April 14, 2012

www.associationofcatholicpriests.ie/2012/04/40th-anniversary-of-1971-synod-on-justice/

How did the 40th anniversary of the 1971 Synod on Justice in the World, relate to the current debates in the Church? If you go to the Holy See site and click on Synods, it gives the document inPortuguese which doesn't help me. It was such an important document as it tacked, to some degree, the area of practicing justice in the church.

Some quotes are below:

40.While the Church is bound to give witness to justice, she recognizes that anyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Hence we must undertake an examination of the modes of acting andof the possessions and life style found within the Church herself.

41.Within the Church rights must be preserved. No one should be deprived of his ordinary rights because he is associated with the Church in one way or another. Those who serve the Church by their labor, including priests and religious, should receive a sufficient livelihood and enjoy that social security which is customary in their region. Lay people should be given fair wages and a system for promotion. We reiterate the recommendations that lay people should exercisemore important functions with regard to Church property and should share in its administration.

42.We also urge that women should have their own share of responsibility and participation in the community life of society and likewise of the Church.

43.We propose that this matter be subjected to a serious study employing adequate means: for instance, a mixed commission of men and women, religious and laypeople, of differing situations and competence.

44.The Church recognizes everyone's right to suitable freedom of expression and thought. This includes the right of everyone to be heard in a spirit ofdialogue which preserves a legitimate diversity within the Church.

45.The form of judicial procedure should give the accused the right to know hisaccusers and also the right to a proper defense. To be complete, justice shouldinclude speed in its procedure. This is especially necessary in marriage cases.

46.Finally, the members of the Church should have some share in the drawing up of decisions, in accordance with the rules given by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and the Holy See, for instance with regard to the setting up of councils at all levels.