The ministry of social responsibility of the Church is a dimension of Christian holiness. While holiness is often linked to the life of the individual, the holiness of the Scriptures is more than personal. Individual attitudes and actions are closely linked to social relationships and responsibilities. The Gospel calls for the transformation of individuals and of society. There is no sanctity but “social holiness”.


The ministry of social responsibility of the Church is a dimension of Christian holiness. While holiness is often linked to the life of the individual, the holiness of the Scriptures is more than personal. Individual attitudes and actions are closely linked to social relationships and responsibilities. The Gospel calls for the transformation of individuals and of society. There is no sanctity but “social holiness”. Christian virtues, including the “fruit of the spirit” (Galatians 5: 22-23), are often understood as referring to individuals, but grace, love, joy, peace, patience, Goodness, etc. Consequently, global Christian social responsibility involves not only critical or “negative” or “prophetic” statements (although a “negative” assessment may in fact be an essential part of a very positive approach), but also a demonstration way of life. The elimination of war, injustice and inequality is an essential element of our social responsibility, but their absence is not the same as peace, justice or equality in biblical and plenary meaning Which involves the presence of God and the life and values ​​of the Kingdom.

By criticizing social attitudes, behaviors and policies that are contrary to the gospel, defending and supporting values ​​and actions that are compatible with it, there is no intention to impose on society, Force The adoption of all Christian values ​​or seek the control of the Church. Social or government offices. Nevertheless, the Church offers the Gospel and its values ​​to society, promotes them and does everything they can to strive to see the Gospel lived in every way and to bring glory to God.



To do this, there are four dimensions of life and community that must continually be brought closer together.

First, there is the individual dimension of each person’s relationship with God in Jesus Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit: hearts receive the love of God (Romans 5: 5), lives are transformed. (Romans 12: (Gal. 5:25) Without this relationship with God in Christ, all attempts to develop Christian social responsibility are well intentioned but ultimately futile.

Second, true Christian social responsibility will involve “works of mercy”, that is, practical care for individuals and families, following the example of Jesus and the apostles (Matthew 25: 31-45; One of you said to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat as you please,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? “(James 2:15).

Third, Christian social responsibility does not only apply to specific situations as they arise, but also to the social and structural causes of these problems. Removing the causes of human needs means seeking justice in the social, political and economic spheres. It may be a direct challenge to an unjust policy or law or, as the Apostle Paul did in his call to Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus, by an indirect call to life according to Christian principles (Philemon 4-16 ).

Finally, we must examine the ideological foundations that produce the structures, actions and attitudes of a society. Paul, for example, in his critique of Colossian society (eg Col 2: 6-23). This necessarily involves the church in a thorough process of self-examination because cultural influences and principles that are hostile to the gospel can be absorbed into the thought of the church. For example, in recent times, good words and concepts such as diversity, discrimination, compassion, inclusiveness and tolerance have been changed in meaning and emphasis in order to undermine the Church’s understanding of social responsibility. Committing to these four levels is not easy, but it is essential.

The principles of social responsibility are therefore not based on abstract reasoning, cultural presuppositions or perceptions of needs that operate in any way, independently of biblical testimony, because the life of the Church, including its understanding Of the social responsibility, Jesus Christ and “on the way Christ nourishes the Church with the word and the sacraments”. Moreover, the Church “has the gift of the Spirit not to lose the way”. In this way the basis of the Union provides a solid basis for understanding the character of the church’s social responsibility “built on the Lord Jesus Christ alone”.
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