Religion

In 1886 the Catholic bishops of the United States published a pastoral letter entitled Economic Justice for All. There were two main reasons for this letter: first of all they wanted to illustrate an understanding of the nature and reason for economic activity from the view of the Catholic and theological thought; furthermore they also wanted to evaluate the workings of the American economy, both from a national and international point of view. As the letter states, "Every perspective on economic life that is human, moral, and Christian must be shaped be three questions: What does the economy do for people? What does the economy do to people? And how do people participate in it?" This pastoral letter symbolizes the most aspiring effort of the Catholic bishops of the United States. The bishops also put forth another aspiring effort to make the ideas and insights of people throughout the United States a reality.

Even though the bishops of the United States were

trying their best to make this a lasting and historical document, it unfortunately found a way to generate considerable controversy. There were critics who said that the bishops were going into an economic battlefield where they have little experience. However, this is a chance for the American people to help out and give their support to not only the bishops but the poor people too. The bishops were hoping that the Economic Justice for All will eventually have an impact, both on the political perspective and also the economic realities of the United States citizens. The Catholics in the United States hope that the social justice will set the stage for reflection and action for the future. Because of the many Catholics here in the United States the dioceses started to put forth their efforts in doing what was needed to get this program on its feet. This is what started the beginning of a new awareness of the relationship between the struggle for economic justice and the mission of the church. Even though there

were many people working hard the question still remains: When hard times start to arise will the American people create the opportunity for the poor to find a job in this economic and socialistically dominated world. If indeed the

American economy is willing to accept, the pastoral can provide a powerful building block of the policies and programs which are necessary to create a society that will be for the justice for all. If we choose to accept this idea of Economic Justice for all, the one thing we must do is put our words and ideas into action.

Over the past years these bishops have come together as a catholic group to partake and expand the government's role in the poor and needy. The bishops discussed how they can create an economic policy for the future and put it into action. This term, Economic Justice for All, is a national challenge. As the letter states, "for millions in the United States today, the promise of the American Dream, freedom for all persons to develop their God-given talents to the full remains unfilled." This raises another question: Can the American Dream still be attained? If we follow the guide lines in the pastoral letter we can find the answer. It reminds us of our obligation to be active in our society. It also challenges us to look at the effectiveness of our nation's economy and try to create a

more effective one. The first step is how we are to our fellow people. The next step is for the letter to serve the people not for the people to do what the letter says. The third major reason how the letter affects us is we have the right to participate in the economy and to fulfill that right. This letter also challenges us in all the injustices that are in our American society, particularly the "War on Poverty."

Our first step on eliminating the war on poverty is to generate jobs that free people from poverty. In our Catholic teachings in the American society work is essential in having human dignity and most of all freedom. Over the past years there have been some progress made in the opportunities in jobs for the poor. For instance, the state's welfare program and also the more chances people have in finding jobs that will benefit them.

There are also many other factors in the Economic Justice for All for instance hunger. The poor spend about 40 percent of their income on food. Which doesn't last very long. The effects of the hunger problem in the American Society are infant deaths, premature births, and low birth weight infants. Taxes are another major concern. A system

of taxation also leaves a major impact on the poor. There should be a system to raise for the public needs of society especially for the poor. A tax system should also be built according to how much each individual makes per year. And also people below a certain margin should not be required to meet these taxations.

In regard to the good that is happening, there are also many people who are displeased with the Economic