A blessed Labor Day to everyone in the United States!
[M]y venerable predecessor Pope John Paul II issued an appeal for “a global coalition in favor of ‘decent work.” … What is meant by the word “decent” in regard to work? It means work that expresses the essential dignity of every man and woman in the context of their particular society: work that is freely chosen, effectively associating workers, both men and women, with the development of their community; work that enables the worker to be respected and free from any form of discrimination; work that makes it possible for families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children, without the children themselves being forced into labor; work that permits the workers to organize themselves freely, and to make their voices heard; work that leaves enough room for rediscovering one’s roots at a personal, familial and spiritual level; work that guarantees those who have retired a decent standard of living.
- Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate no. 63, “The Cooperation of the Human Family”
#1 by Chris McConnell on September 6, 2010 - 10:28 am
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What about those of us in Canada?
Of course, we don’t celebrate Labor Day. We have Labour Day …
#2 by Kevin Keil on September 6, 2010 - 2:28 pm
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It’s interesting how many of Pope Benedict XVI comments in the quote are missing from Church employment. Catholic school teachers are not allowed to organize and make their voices heard. Neither are church musicians or any other church employees that I am aware of. It is rare that a full time church employee can support a family on his or her salary alone. And even if a Diocese has a retirement plan, the amount is so small that it would be impossible to retire on it alone.
#3 by Jack Rakosky on September 6, 2010 - 3:05 pm
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Father McBrien makes a similar point over at NCR:
“I keep hoping that one of these years the U.S. Catholic Bishops will issue a Labor Day statement that focuses on the church’s responsibility to practice what it preaches and teaches about social justice and human rights.”
http://ncronline.org/blogs/essays-theology/labor-day-church-should-embody-social-teachings