This document discusses the human and Christian visions of solidarity. It defines solidarity as being based on unity and fraternity among all people, grounded in equal human dignity and rights. Two popes are quoted emphasizing love and communion between all. The Christian vision is exemplified in several Bible passages about loving God and neighbor unconditionally. Effective solidarity requires addressing unjust structures and promoting human dignity, rights, justice and love for all. Concrete examples given are the work of Mother Teresa and empowerment centers. The Church has a right and duty to denounce injustices hampering human dignity. Witnessing through good works and proclaiming justice are emphasized as how the Church commits to solidarity, especially with the poor.

1. Human Vision of
Solidarity

2. Solidarity points out that
man by nature is a relational
being and he is called to
relate (friendship) and reach
out (social charity) to others

3. Blessed Pope John Paul II said:
“Man, God’s creature, was
created through and for love:
love is the fundamental and
innate vocation of every
human being. Man cannot
live without love”.

4. Blessed John XXIII said:
“Each person has the
right and duty to live in
communion with one
another”.

5. Therefore, what is the human vision of
solidarity? Solidarity must be based upon its
principle, i.e. unity and fraternity among
person and people which is being expressed
and articulated by equal dignity of all human
beings. Why? because one cannot attain
solidarity without the observance of human
dignity and human rights.

6. Christian Vision
of Solidarity

7. -Mark 12:29-31 (which points out the deep intensity
of the commandments of love of God and neighbor,
and their mutual unity)
-Matthew 5:43-47 (points to the unconditional
application of the commandments of love to all men
and women including the enemies. It also points out
the foundation of the commandments of love of
neighbor, namely, God as a generous and forgiving
Father.)
-Luke 4:18-19
-Mark 2:17

8. The Praxis of
Solidarity

9. -The praxis (practice) of solidarity is based on the
demands to change the structure that are unjust and
anti-solidarity in practice
-It is not merely reaching out to people like those
done in social action activities, but basically is an
activity that defends and promotes human dignity,
human rights, social justice, and love of all people
and nations.
-The Object of the Praxis of Solidarity: PERSON;
Why? His/her needs, aspirations, grief, worries,
sufferings, and anguish are of utmost concern for all
members of the Church.

10. How to effect it?
-Through work of mercy (habag)
-Concrete Example: Mother Teresa of Calcutta
-As members of the Church, we are called to
individually and collectively help the poorest
of the poor of our streets, country, and the
world; helpless, the abandoned and
maltreated women and men and children in
whom Christ is mysteriously present in them.

11. Solidarity in the midst of evil
-We have to denounced in many varied ways
these evils because they are contrary to the
Kingdom of God as they are hindrances to a just
and humane society
-We cannot just keep quiet and be unfaithful to
Gospel’s invitation. We have the prophetic role to
execute-to speak the word of God to societies and
nations which perpetuate the social evils;
proclaim justice and solidarity; and educate
people in justice, peace and love.

12. The Church’s
Commitment to
Solidarity

13. Her right to denounce injustices
-“The Church has the right to…denounce instances of
injustices when the fundamental rights of man and his
very salvation demand it (Synod of Bishops, Justice in
the World).”
-Is Church denunciation of injustice “political”? NO;
Why? In our Constitution it declares the separation of
the Church and the State. The Church as a community
in society is not and should not be political, but in
terms of instances of injustice whereby the dignity and
the fundamental rights of man are being hampered,
the Church has the right to intervene and denounce.

14. By Witnessing
-The most effective way of expressing and announcing
solidarity is by WITNESSING
-Witnessing believes more in what we see than in
what we hear in line when Christ began His mission
“by doing and preaching.”
-We Christians are obliged, as Vatican II said, to bring
forth fruits of charity for the salvation of the world.
-Concrete Example: The Saint Hannibal Empowerment
Center in Pasay and Baseco

15. Contextualizing
Solidarity in the
Philippine Church as the
Church of the Poor

16. By Witnessing
-The most effective way of expressing and announcing
solidarity is by WITNESSING
-Witnessing believes more in what we see than in
what we hear in line when Christ began His mission
“by doing and preaching.”
-We Christians are obliged, as Vatican II said, to bring
forth fruits of charity for the salvation of the world.
-Concrete Example: The Saint Hannibal Empowerment
Center in Pasay and Baseco

17. The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines
asserted that the Church of the Poor is one
whose members and leaders have special love
and preference for the poor.

18. The Church of the Poor is one who does not
deprived the poor for their right to receive in
abundance the help of the spiritual goods of the
Church, especially that of the Word of God and
the sacraments from the pastors

19. The Church of the Poor is one that in solidarity
with the poor and collaborates with the poor
and with others to lift up the poor from their
poverty.

20. It suggests that the poor are not only passive
receivers and dependent members of the Word,
but they too have something to share especially
in the work of evangelization.