Our new Catholic Social Teaching theme for this half-term is: The Dignity of Work and Participation.
The Church is clear in its teaching on the dignity of work and the full humanity of the worker.
We work to live, not live to work.
Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.
Employers contribute to the common good through the services or products they provide and by creating jobs that uphold the dignity and rights of workers.
In their document ‘The Common Good,’ the bishops of England and Wales highlight the teaching of the Church, that:
“Work is more than a way of making a living: it is a vocation, a participation in God’s creative activity.”
“Work increases the common good. The creation of wealth by productive action is blessed by God and praised by the Church, as both a right and a duty.”
Work, the Church teaches, is something to be valued and enjoyed.
- What does Scripture say?
- Deuteronomy 14:28-29
The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others. - Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him who treats his workers unjustly. - Mark 6:3
Jesus worked as a carpenter.
- What does the Church say?
In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labour). He shone a light on the injustice and exploitation of workers by the rich during the Industrial Revolution. He advocated for workers to join forces and fight against inhuman conditions.
Since then, Church teaching has upheld the dignity of work and participation. The human person should always come before the pursuit of profit. Workers have the right to join trade unions, to a just wage, to spend time with their families and to rest. Work is an essential part of our human dignity and everyone has the right to participate.
- What does Pope Francis say?
“Those who work have dignity, a special dignity, a personal dignity.”
“Jesus of Nazareth, who spent most of his life working as a carpenter, invites us to follow in his footsteps through work…In this way, in the words of St Ambrose, every worker is the hand of Christ who continues to create and to do good.”
Lord God,
Grant that in our work we may deal fairly with one another.
Fairness is both of the giver and the receiver.
Give us the courage, as Jesus does, to challenge unjust practices, may we not walk by on the other side.
With the help of the Holy Spirit may we have the grace to respect all, whether in work, or seeking it.
We ask that all be given the opportunity to support themselves and their families by their efforts.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.