just faith the argyll and the isles perspective marian pallister – 2014
TRANSCRIPT
Just FaithThe Argyll and the Isles PerspectiveMarian Pallister – 2014
The dove of peace…
The fight for justice
No monopoly on compassion
Of course the Catholic Church wants peace
Of course the Catholic Church wants justice
Of course the Catholic Church wants to aid those in need
BUT
So too do non government organisations of all faiths and none
Our USP?Matthew 25:
Jesus adds to the ‘weightier
matters’ of justice and mercy
the Church’s unique selling
point-
Good faith!
‘The Church’s charitable activity at all levels must avoid the risk of becoming just another form of organised social assistance’
‘The Church is not a shop, she is not a humanitarian agency, the Church is not an NGO. The Church is sent to bring Christ and his Gospel to all.’
Catholic Social Teaching‘The Church’s best-kept secret’?
Just Faith
Not just three ‘NGOs’ coming together
Three organisations whose humanitarian work is inspired by and carried out in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching
Three organisations whose work will continue in their own areas of expertise
But together, taking CST to the people of Scotland under the banner of ‘Just Faith’
Responding to diverse needs
Argyll & the Isles
12,000 square miles
25 parishes
Around 12,000 Catholics
Total population of 76,800
29 priests
Paisley
220 square miles
35 parishes
Around 79,400 Catholics
Total population of 342,000
71 priests
Not to stereotype….
Star of the Sea St Charles Borromeo
My ‘Just Faith’…
Taking roadshows to parishes and schools throughout the diocese
Identifying what matters to each parish
Discussing during presentations and a meal
Using music and a ceilidh (in the old ‘visit’ sense of the word) concept to make connections
Using Catholic Social Teaching as a scaffold for all discussion
Our diocese – three deaneries
At least three reasons for welcoming Just Faith:‘I want to inspire a new action group’‘Catholic Social Teaching needs a fair hearing’‘We are stewards of our island – we need to remember why’
Paisley DioceseMy big road show question: ‘What makes you angry?’Your answers: Very different from Argyll & the IslesWhat we share…
All dioceses share the need to promote…
Human dignity
Community and participation
Care for creation
Dignity in work
Peace and reconciliation
Solidarity
…within the framework of our faith
Pray, act, give – remembering that…
‘The theological dimension is needed both for interpreting and for solving present day problems in human society’ (Saint John Paul II)
Lumen Gentium says that the ‘glorious burden’ falls on all the laity to bring the divine offer of salvation…into the reach of all men of all times and all over the world, ‘with whole-hearted personal participation’
Just FaithGiving us that opportunity for whole-hearted participation in the
growth of the ChurchAn exciting project we must style to the needs of our own communities
A chance to give others faith in a better world
Thank you for your time