About Us
Social Justice
The Society in New Zealand claims justice for the poor and works to influence social and economic systems to bring about positive change. We use the voice and good name of the Society to speak out on issues of justice and social conditions and address these concerns to both political and social institutions to effect change. We work with national politicians, Ministry of Social Development and national and Catholic media to identify issues affecting the poor.
At the 2006 Annual General Meeting the National Council resolved to work alongside Caritas to combine practical grassroots experience together with analysis and research, to respond to Social Justice issues within New Zealand.
Submissions currently being worked on:
Housing affordability
Immigration
Poverty
Enviromental Disasters
The Rule (part 1, Section 7) of the Society of St Vincent de Paul includes the following articulation of the Vincentian vision on the subject of Social Justice.
7. RELATIONSHIP WITH CIVIL SOCIETY – WORK FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
7.1 The Society gives immediate help but also seeks mid-term and long term solutions The Society is concerned not only with alleviating need but also with identifying the unjust structures that cause it. It is, therefore, committed to identifying the root causes of poverty and to contributing to their elimination. In all its charitable actions there should be a search for justice; in its struggle for justice, the Society must keep in mind the demands of charity.
Commentary.-The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and each of its Conferences, seeks the spiritual and material prosperity of each of the persons it helps. It seeks to prevent the extension of poverty in its various manifestations. It seeks to alleviate suffering. For this purpose, it uses as many means as possible to re-establish justice, always with Charity towards all men. "Peace is also the fruit of love, for love goes beyond what justice can achieve" (GS 78).
7.2 A vision of the civilization of love Affirming the dignity of each human being as created in God’s image, and Jesus’ particular identification with those who are excluded by society, Vincentians envision a more just society in which the rights, responsibilities and development of all people are promoted. As citizens of one world, Vincentians listen to the voice of the Church which demands their participation in creating a more equitable and compassionate social order, promoting the culture of life and the civilization of love. In this way, the Society shares the Church’s mission to evangelise the world through visible witness, in both actions and words.
Commentary.-It is not possible for Vincentians to remain solely interested in the effects of deprivation on individuals. We have to seek to remedy the causes as far as our modest possibilities allow. To evangelize, the inalienable mission of each Conference and each member means to proclaim the Good News and this includes the promotion of a civilisation of love. It is not possible to tell men that God loves them, without them seeing our determination to change the structures of society so they are founded on Love.
"As citizens of one world». Of course, Vincentians are loyal citizens of their country but their concern for the common good embraces the world and we have a loyalty to the poor everywhere. "culture of life": Vincentians are committed to promote the right to life from conception to the natural end of earthly life.
7.3 Vision of the future
The Society’s vision goes beyond the immediate future, looking towards sustainable development and protection of the environment for the benefit of future generations.
Commentary.-The Society’s Twinning projects foster "sustainable development." protection of the environment". It is essential to respect the environment, as a consequence of our faith in its creation by God for the benefit of human beings, who are the stewards of creation and must care for it and nurture it for future generations. The environmental crisis "is truly trans-national and intergenerational, the first of such kind ever to face humanity as a whole" (To the UN 11/91).
7.4 The practical Vincentian approach to social justice
The distinctive approach of Vincentians to issues of social justice is to see them from the perspective of those we visit who suffer from injustice.
Commentary.-There are no two ways about it. Our outlook is that of the poor, of the oppressed, of the persecuted, of the hungry, the exploited… Others may defend other views and other options. Ours is the viewpoint of the poor.
7.5 A voice for the voiceless
The Society helps the poor and disadvantaged speak for themselves. When they cannot, the Society must speak on behalf of those who are ignored.
Commentary.-Let us help them to tell their truth, to reveal their suffering, to explain their needs. Let them feel responsible for achieving their goals. When this is not really possible, only then, let us become the voice of the voiceless ones. Only then.
7.6 Facing the structures of sin
Where injustice, inequality, poverty or exclusion are due to unjust economic, political or social structures or to inadequate or unjust legislation, the Society should speak out clearly against the situation, always with charity, with the aim of contributing to and demanding improvements.
Commentary.-"speak out clearly .. with charity". We cannot pretend that the structures of sin do not exist. They do exist. We should point them out, even with our modest resources, but with the full conviction and vigour that derives from a life shared with the poor. Charity towards everybody will help us to achieve this with the least possible offence to those responsible. To challenge what is wrong in society was seen by Ozanam as essential; "What evil is done in the world through the inconsistency and timidity of good people." But, he reminded us, "kindness will be the character of Christian controversy." "Whatever insults human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children; as well as disgraceful working conditions, where men are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society" (GS 27). "There exist also sinful inequalities that affect millions of people" (CCC1938)
7.7 Striving to change attitudes
Vincentians oppose discrimination of all kinds and work to change the attitudes of those who view the weak or those who are different with prejudice, fear or scorn, attitudes which gravely wound the dignity of others. The Society strives, with charity, to foster new attitudes of respect and empathy for the weak, so that all are able to understand, recognise and defend the right of each person to be responsible for his or her own life. The Society promotes understanding, cooperation and mutual love among people of different cultures, religions, ethnic origins and social groups, and so contributes to the peace and unity of all peoples.
Commentary.-The poor are our friends: regardless of their colour, of their medical condition, of their poverty, of their weakness, of their defects. Let us introduce them to the world as Children of God: as our brothers, as beloved friends. "opposes discrimination .. promotes understanding" To be misunderstood and discriminated against is a severe form of poverty because it humiliates, reduces self-esteem and reduces opportunities for work. Let us encourage sympathy and tolerance.
7.8 Political independence of the Society
The Society does not identify with any political party and always adopts a nonviolent approach. It is good that some members follow and fully participate in their political vocation in such a way that they bring Christian values to political matters. Those members who hold political offices will be asked, always with charity, not to hold any mission of representation in the Society during their term of political office.
Commentary.-From its foundation, the Society has taken extreme care not to identify itself with any political party or political option. It even advised that there should be a total absence of party-political conversations within each Conference. Of course, the Society understands and praises the members who wish to take the Christian message into active politics. But these dear members, in order to avoid misunderstandings of any kind, are begged to relinquish any representative service in the Society while they are in a period of direct political activity. This is a small sacrifice that will undoubtedly be welcome and understood by all of them. "The spirit of charity, together with Christian prudence, shall further induce us to banish party-political discussions for ever from both general meetings and ordinary meetings. (Rule 1835, PC)
7.9 Working with communities
The Society should work not only with individuals in need but also with families and communities. It can help an excluded or deprived local community to develop a sense of responsibility and solidarity which leads it to improve its economic, social or environmental well-being, always retaining the personal contact of members with those who suffer.
Commentary.-It frequently becomes necessary to go beyond simple personal help, as has been mentioned so often in this Rule and in its commentaries. We referred in 1.10 to the empowerment of individuals to help forge the destiny of their community. In this article, 7.9, it is envisaged that in a deprived community in which Vincentians already visit the poor, members may be able to help gather together people in the community who want to find ways to improve their lives. Vincentians could help them to discern their most pressing problems, to decide on the relative priorities and to develop a plan to raise public awareness and achieve change. Any action of the Society, to be fully justified from a Vincentian point of view, always has to arise from personal contact with the individuals who suffer. It is far from our intention to become simply pressure groups. The Society and each Conference must first live close to those who suffer, and only then build on this experience by helping them to overcome difficulties.