The Cry of the Vulnerable within African Communities: Criticality of Solidarity in Catholic Social Teaching
Author : Chingozha MP, Chingozha Y, Nhembo G, Zhou A and Matwaya Y
Abstract :
Solidarity has become a central concept in Christian ethics. It entails fundamental unity as one human family obligating humanity to common good, acts of justice and standing with the marginalized at all times. It is deep seated in the shared humanity and God’s love, requiring concrete efforts to combat poverty, inequality and injustice. The basis of this facet is the principle of being a brother’s keeper which embraces the values that the vulnerable ought to be remembered and assisted to have a decent life. Although solidarity can be found in other Christian traditions, the Catholic tradition has developed the concept to portray a robust and useful understanding of individual communities, institutions and nations.
The mandate of the church as derived from the teaching of Christ is that it has to be a serious contender or actor in peace building, promoting justice and sustainable development. The church should never close its doors to the vulnerable within communities particularly the children. It is thus this approach that is undeniably rightly placed to preach peace, love, reconciliation and repentance. Which are tenets that every society cherishes. Without these tenets societies cannot be stable and neither can they progress. This can best be illustrated through the challenges of the Industrial Revolution in Europe that promoted the writing of the encyclical themed Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII. This writing articulated the Catholic notion on peaceful coexistence for humanity grounded on scriptures and human rights.
Keywords :
Vulnerable, African community, Catholic Social Teaching.
