This year is the 30th anniversary of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese. I feel very much honoured to be able to get involved in the preparation work to celebrate the group's anniversary. What a coincidence! I become 30 years old this year as well.
As a member of the publication group of the preparatory committee, I volunteered to write an article about the relationship between social service and social justice. Another member wrote an article about spirituality and social justice. We did that because we found that many people, especially conservative Church people, always regard social actions as trouble-making incidents and social activists as trouble-makers.
Our faith always reminds us of caring for the needy and the underprivileged, but it also reminds of upholding social justice. So, I find it strange for some conservative people to say that we should avoid politics and that we shouldn't take part in politics. It is important to note that taking part in politics is a basic human rights and it is not necessarily about winning any political elections. It is necessary for us to take actions to fight for the basic human rights of the marginalised and the oppressed when the government or those in power turn a blind eye to those people's suffering.
Therefore, I can't see any contradiction between faith and social justice. Rather, they are intertwined with each other. I would prefer to spending more time to help those in need to making any more excuses.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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