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| Archbishop's address at the launch of CSCC | < Back to Main |
Today marks an important milestone in the life of the Church in Singapore.
As we celebrate the launch of the Catholic Social & Community Council (CSCC), I am happy
to see all of you here giving your support and commitment to the furtherance of the social
mission of the Church in Singapore.
On this occasion, I would like to say a few words about the role and mission of the Church
in the context of the society that we live in. What is this mission that was entrusted to us
2000 years ago?
Allow me to quote to you an extract from the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the
Church, a document commissioned by the late Pope John Paul II, which provides a concise
but complete overview of the social teachings of the Church. Under the chapter on
"Economic Life", the Compendium states:
| "Through the gift of his Spirit and the conversion of hearts, Jesus comes to establish the "Kingdom of God", so that a new manner of social life is made possible, in justice, brotherhood, solidarity and sharing. ...In this, man is called to render justice to the poor, releasing the oppressed, consoling the afflicted, actively seeking a new social order in which adequate solutions to material poverty are offered and in which the forces thwarting the attempts of the weakest to free themselves from conditions of misery and slavery are more effectively controlled. When this happens, the Kingdom of God is already present on this earth, although it is not of the earth…" (Article 325, Chapter 7, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church) |
I know that it is a long quote, but the message from the Church is clear: we are to help the
poor, the disadvantaged and those marginalised in our society. But more than that, we are
to work towards the creation of a new social order where there is justice, brotherhood,
solidarity and sharing.
This is the work that we are asked to do as a Church. It is not an easy task, in the face of
the world we live in today; where the forces representing money, materialism,
consumerism and power thrive.
Currently, each of your organisations is operating largely on your own. While I commend
you for the work you have done, there is a need for us to work together and co-ordinate
our efforts better. This is why CSCC has been formed. It is meant to be an umbrella council
that provides co-ordination, direction and leadership to all catholic organisations and groups
doing work for the poor and the community. It is not our intention to impinge on the charism
and autonomy of the various organisations. However, it is important that each organisation
is able to look beyond its immediate objectives and functions, and consider how we can act
together as one unified body. Only in this way can we increase our reach, impact and
effectiveness on society as a Church.
As St. Paul tells us, we are parts of one body. Let us learn to function together as one. With
the formation of the CSCC, I am confident that we will be better able to "render justice to
the poor", "release the oppressed", "console the afflicted" and work towards the building of
the Kingdom of God on earth.
May God Bless you.
Archbishop Nicholas Chia
| < Back to Main |
