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LIFE IN CHRIST

1941 Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves, between employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and peoples. International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace depends in part upon this. 1942 The virtue of solidarity goes beyond material goods. In i886 spreading the spiritual goods of the faith, the Church has pro moted, and often opened new paths for, the development of temporal goods as well. And so throughout the centuries has the

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Lord’s saying been verified: ‘Seek first his kingdom and his right

eousness, and all these things shall be yours as well’:47 For two thousand years this sentiment has lived and endured in the soul of the Church, impelling souls then and now to the heroic charity of monastic farmers, liberators of slaves, healers of the sick, and messengers of faith, civilization, and science to all generations and all peoples for the sake of creating the social conditions capable of offering to everyone possible a life worthy of man and of a Christian.~8


IN BRIEF

1943 Society ensures social justice by providing the conditions that allow associations and individuals to obtain their due.


1944 Respect for the human person considers the other ‘another self’. It presupposes respect for the fundamental rights that flow from the intrinsic dignity of the person.

‘945 The equality of men concerns their dignity as persons and the rights thatflowfrom it.

1946 The djfferences among persons belong to God’s plan, who wills that we should need one another. These djfferences should encourage charity.

1947 The equal dignity of human persons requires the effort to reduce excessive social and economic inequalities. It gives urgency to the elimination of sinful inequalities.

1948 Solidarity is an eminently Christian virtue. It practises the sharing of spiritual goods even more than material ones.