Module 3 - Tension & Conflict

Question 1

Explain how, why and for whom this issue causes tension and conflict in society.

Answer 1

• In any society, there are issues that concerns individuals and communities/ For a variety of reasons, these issues may create divisions, tensions and conflict within society.
• How people participate and respond varies. The difference in responses varies in the differences of understandings and experiences.
• Religion, will also have concerns about issues in society. They are a matter of concern as it impacts upon the beliefs, teachings and lifestyle of a religion and its followers.
• A religion may respond to issues in society because it concerns the well-being of society and its followers.

Question 2

Explain how and why a religion responds to the current issue and the tension and conflict causes.

Answer 2

Catholicism responds to this issue based on Catholic core beliefs and teachings.

Question 3

Two Great Commandments of Jesus: Luke 10:27

Answer 3

• “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.”

Question 4

CST - human dignity

Answer 4

Human dignity. Refugees and migrants matter because they are human beings, each of unique value and loved personally by God. The human dignity of migrants and people who seek protection must be respected. That entails access to adequate food, shelter, medical care, education, freedom of movement, expression and religion, and opportunity to shape life by work and participation in society. No human being may be used as a means to an end outside themselves. Respect for human dignity means that asylum seekers may not be badly treated in order to deter others.
- ‘If we are to share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves, we also have to realize that every person is worthy of our giving. God created that person in his image, and he or she reflects something of God’s glory. Every human being is the object of God’s infinite tenderness, and he himself is present in their lives.’
Pope Francis: Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel (paragraph 274), 2013
- ‘Respecting human dignity is important in any profession … because even behind the simple account of an event there are sentiments, emotions, and ultimately, people’s lives.’
Pope Francis, Audience with National Council Order of Journalists, 2016

Question 5

CST - solidarity

Answer 5

Human beings depend on one another and are responsible to each other for their flourishing. Governments are responsible for allowing each person to flourish in a way that serves the common good. Solidarity means that we are responsible to those who come to us for help, and that governments must discharge our common responsibility to asylum seekers.
- ‘If one member suffers, all suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.’
1 Corinthians 12:26
- ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
Mark 9:37

Question 6

CST - option for the poor

Answer 6

The test of any society and group is the care it has for the most needy and vulnerable. Because they are so vulnerable and resourceless, people who seek protection from persecution have a priority claim on our care.
- ‘The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty!’ Pope Francis, July 26, 2013
- Poor and vulnerable people have a special place in Catholic social teaching… Our tradition calls us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. As Christians, we are called to respond to the needs of all our sisters and brothers, but those with the greatest needs require the greatest response.’Cardinal Thomas Williams, We are Our Brother’s Keeper, 1991

Question 7

Church documents from Popes and Bishops

Answer 7

• Pacem et Terris Pope John XXIII, 1963: “Every Human being has the right to freedom of movement and of residence within the confines of his own state. When there are just reasons for it, he must be permitted to emigrate to other countries to take up residence there.”
• Centisimus Annus Saint Pope John Paul II 1991 (#58): Love for others, and in the first place, love for the poor, in whom the Church sees Christ himself, is made concrete in the promotion of justice.
  Evangelii Gaudium Pope Francis 2013: “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society.” (#186)

Question 8

How Catholicism responds to the issue through individual connection and assistance:

Answer 8

• Establish personal contact, friendship, understanding and acceptance
• Advocate in the defence of the rights of either individuals or groups
• Financial and other support for asylum seekers’ assistance centres
• Raise awareness of the reason a person is seeking asylum
• Advocacy of laws that will guarantee protection for refugees
• Inform others of the realities of world events and globalisation
• Education campaigns to target racism and hatred of foreigners
• Establish volunteer groups to raise emergency support funds
  Pastoral care