Part III Our role in this society

"Society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation. Social justice is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority."(1928, CCCC 1994)

"Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the transcendent dignity of man..."(1929, CCCC 1994).

"Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature..." "If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subject..."(1930, CCCC 1994).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very specific in our role in society. We as Catholic Christians above all, must become a role model of people that respects human dignity.

As the Catechism states in paragraph 1994, Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that "everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as 'another self', above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity." (1931, CCCC 1994)

Thus, respecting the human dignity of a person does not only mean fulfilling our role in society, but it also means following the second great commandment of Christ, " to love our neighbor as we love ourselves."

We need not go faraway and even do miraculous things to stop abuses. We only need to look upon our own neighborhood, our own family, our own self, renew our vows in Baptism and start living as Christians as Christ Himself has commanded it to be.

For no changes can ever happen in this world, unless we first start from within ourselves.

Yours in Christ.