A just society

The EU indicated 2010 as the “European year for combating poverty and social exclusion”. The decision was made because of the threat of almost 84 million European citizens on the poverty line. Due to job losses or other personal problems many of them are in a dire situation. Poverty, however, is not only lack in material goods but also absence of authentic human relations.In the last year, many businesses in Slovenia went bankrupt, and the number of unemployed rose by more than 10%. To make matters worse, the Country was struck by tragic floods which caused the death of four people and destroyed houses and crops.The main reasons for the current financial crisis and business bankruptcies are not determined by inability or bad management but rather by the race for easy profit, unregulated privatization of state-owned property, exploitation of workers, violating their dignity and lack of respect towards nature and its order. It is more an ethical crisis, that questions values such as honesty that led to the developed countries’ financial economic crisis”. The financial crisis” – Monsignor Anton Stres President of the Episcopal Conference of Slovenia commented- reaffirms the important and inalienable role of ethical principles such as honesty and justice, responsibility and prudence in economic matters and calls especially on the rich, since the current crisis reveals the negative consequences of speculations and irresponsible activities on international financial markets in the past years”. The current situation demands society and the Church to ponder on the possible ways to promptly and effectively help people in trouble. It must specifically focus on how to create new jobs in order to guarantee social security. Governments and institutions are responsible for finding a solution to this threat because they have the means and power necessary to do so. However, the first steps in guaranteeing a stable and lasting economy and acceptable quality of life are conscious consumption, saving and modesty. The Church is by its nature called to be the salt and leaven of the world: firstly by formulating the ethical principles, such as social justice, respect for values, testified through life, charity and solidarity to the needy. But before charity one must fulfill the needs for justice, as highlighted in the II Vatican Council: “That the demands of justice be satisfied lest the giving of what is due in justice be represented as the offering of a charitable gift”. (Apostolate of Laity, 8).On this topic and considering the current crisis, the Church in Slovenia for the “Charity and Christian Solidarity Year” 2010/2011 chose the motto: “Carry each other’s burden” (Gal 6,2)”. Slovenia’s first Eucharist Conference, which took place in June, asks Christians to grow in their faith in God as a community, to live in the world, where faith becomes flesh and blood. Difficult situations call for personal closeness that acknowledges the needs of others. In carrying out this project the political community and the Church must both service the same man”.