Solidarity shouldn’t be missing

"Before the crisis, solidarity": this is the title of the Statement on the ongoing social and economic situation, approved by Spanish bishops during the CCXXV meeting of the permanent Commission of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference (CEE), held a few days ago in Madrid. For the common good. With this document, the bishops want to express, once again, the feeling of the Church in Spain over "the serious situation we are facing, and lend her voice to exhortation and clarity, as she has done since 2008 to encourage acts of charity, as extraordinary donations to Caritas and documents such as the Declaration caused by the moral and economic crisis of 2009". Even in the CEE pastoral plan approved this year, there is an invitation to "continue the reflection and to thank and encourage effective charity, passing from words to deeds". Now, with the new statement, the bishops refer to the current situation: "We fear that the crisis, or at least its consequences, have yet to unfold completely". The bishops recognize the great effort that many people are doing in the midst of difficulties and urge the authorities to "ensure that the costs of the crisis do not fall on the weaker brackets". "It is known – they say – that social unrest is growing and that some policy proposals have added elements of concern in already difficult times. In this situation, we believe it is our duty to address in particular the Catholics, but also to all those who wish to listen to us, words wishing to convey light and encouragement in the effort that is particularly necessary for the attainment of the common good". The bishops do so with a threefold invitation: to faith, charity and hope.Not to take advantage of discomfort. "First of all, our invitation is to faith – the bishops point out – because when the horizon of faith, to the true knowledge and love of God is closed, the heart of man shrinks. It will not be possible to pursue what is good and overcome the crisis permanently without upright men, unless we convert our hearts to God. "We also call to charity", says the text, citing the Pope’s encyclical letter "Porta Fidei" because "faith without charity bears no fruit and charity without faith would be a sentiment always at the mercy of the doubtful". The bishops point out that love is expressed in many ways than the next because it covers all dimensions of life: personal, family, social and political, and underline that one of the most painful and disturbing elements of the current situation is the way in which young people are suffering more intensely the effects of the crisis and are affected by the lack of jobs in percentages difficult to bear. The bishops referred to the charity that directly affects political relations: "the political and social unrest should be for everyone an occasion for a sincere quest for the common good, in order to build it together". This discomfort should not be fuelled as an excuse to promote particular political or economic interests, to the detriment of the general interest, trying to take advantage from the discontent and suffering of many”.The good of unity. Referring to the Pastoral Instruction "Moral Guidelines before the current situation in Spain", released in 2006, the bishops said: "by recognizing, in principle, the legitimacy of the nationalistic positions sincerely motivated by the common good, it should be remembered that the document equally appeals to the sense of responsibility for the common good of Spain. None of the peoples or regions of Spain could be in such good terms without the long history of cultural and political unity of this ancient nation that is Spain. Political proposals aimed at the unilateral disintegration of this unity are a cause of serious concern. On the contrary, we invite to dialogue all political and social interlocutors. The good of unity should be preserved along with the rich diversity of the Spanish peoples". Small gestures. "The crisis – they say – can also become an opportunity to improve our habits and assume more responsible lifestyle most responsible for the good of the family, neighbors and for the political community. The theological virtue of hope nurtures human hopes to improve, not to give in to discouragement". The community wants and needs to be a sign of hope". The bishops’ Declaration concludes by urging everyone to give "signs of hope to others, no matter how small". In particular, the bishops called for assistance to those families who can not afford to pay the rent and are evicted from their homes.