In a statement from the Vatican yesterday, Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary talked about the newest sins we must focus on in our world. None of these sins are new, and there are no new theological claims in them, but it is interesting to think about what the good Monsignor points us to in the realm of sin.
Social Injustice – The Vatican expressed concern for the growing gap, in our world, between the haves and the have nots. The economic disparity is sinful. For so few to have so much and so many to have so little is a terrible injustice.
Ethics – The also talked about the value of all human life and violations of basic human nature such as cloning and genetic testing. Justice is not just an issue for humans walking the earth, but for the nature of humanity, how we are created, how we seek advances, how we live and treat one another.
The Earth – The Vatican also reiterated concern for the condition of the earth. The stewardship of the earth and abuses there in are areas of great concern.
Looking over the list, it turns out the Vatican has gone liberal! At least I am sure some will say that, with a list of social concerns that crosses religious and political lines. I think that the Vatican is right on in this statement. This look at corporate sins is important. We are often so caught up in individual sin that we ignore our corporate responsibilities. If we participate in systems that oppress, allow widespread sinfulness and greed, violate the earth, or destroy life, and we do nothing about it, we are guilty of sin. Sometimes they are sins of commission and sometimes they are sins of omission, but we are guilty none the less.
During this season of Lent, as we near the joy of Easter, let us not merely contend with sins of self, but also sins of other. How are we supporting and participating in corporate sin? What are we not doing to battle this sin? What do we accept as “the way things are” without reorienting our vision to be that of God’s Kingdom?
Thanks Monsignor for the reminder that it isn’t all about us, and that the weight of suffering around this world is a cross that Christ has called us to bear.
March 12, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Shannon,
Great point about what the tension of what we are to do when there are no easy alternatives as consumers. With something like oil, the only things we can do are try to consume less, find ways to not consume, and try to voice our dissatisfaction as the system allows. What we can’t do is throw our hands up and say, oh well there is nothing we can do about it.
March 12, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Consuming less would require us all to be mindful of the large purchases that we make. To be more careful about how much oil we spend, would mean getting rid of the SUVs, and the trucks. For larger families or someone like myself that enjoys having a truck to haul a bunch of junk around when needed, we have to determine was is best and what is being good stewards with what we’ve been given.
There is no easy answer nor solution here, on this one, I believe.