I have attempted this morning to clarify some of the key concepts about poverty eradication and Catholic social teaching. I want to conclude with a few remarks about the way forward, both in our conference these days together and in what happens afterwards in the role of the church.
First, I urge that the church's social teaching should be the lens through which we examine the other topics of this conference: the structures of debt, the campaign for debt cancellation, the value of civil society, the role of the church. This is not a conference sponsored by the World Bank or the Ugandan government. It is a conference sponsored by the Catholic church and therefore its deliberations must be guided by the scriptural principles that find clear articulation and cogent demand in the social teaching of the church. Let us at each step of discussion reflect the emphases on human dignity and rights, on subsidiarity, on the common good and the option for the poor, on solidarity. I believe that our principles have political power - let us use them accordingly!
Second, I urge that all of us here commit ourselves to a better personal understanding and wider public education about the church's social teaching. For too long it has been "our best kept secret"! I have not sprinkled my presentation this morning with quotes from Popes or footnotes from documents. I've tried to give something of the overall framework of CST in hopes of stimulating among you either new interest or renewed interest in this very relevant body of social wisdom. Let us take steps to be sure that this teaching is in our schools and seminaries, our homilies and handouts, our small Christian communities and diocesan offices.
Remember the suggestion that I began my paper with, that we put before our heads and hearts a person who is poor. I now ask you to pause for a moment to recall that person, very specifically and concretely. And then remember the burning words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: "Whatever you do for the least of my sisters and brothers, you do for me." That is the focus for our reflections on Catholic social teaching and poverty eradication. That is our invitation, our challenge, our grace.
Thank you very much!
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