Prizing dignity of work

"They're not making enough to support their family in a dignified way," she said. "They have to make choices about the basics to pay for. They aren't making enough for health care, food or [to pay for] energy costs."

The U.S. bishops recently re-expressed their concern for low-wage workers when Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles and chairman of the bishops' domestic policy committee, penned a Labor Day 2001 message.

"Across the United States," he wrote, "many low-wage workers seeking meaningful employment and trying to achieve self-sufficiency find it difficult to meet their needs and those of their families. Some struggle to find decent and affordable housing, health care, or safe child care. The restructuring of the welfare system to focus on work --bolstered by a strong economy and tight labor markets -- has reduced the welfare rolls significantly. But enthusiasm for falling welfare numbers should be tempered by the reality of persistent poverty and wages too meager to provide for a family's needs. Many may be leaving welfare; too few have left poverty."

Rights

"We don't do well with this," Sister Cathy told The Evangelist. While people may be informed about the struggle of workers in Third World countries, she noted, Catholics in New York don't have to look beyond than their own state to encounter those suffering in the workplace (see separate article).

As consumers and employers, Catholics can help improve those conditions, she said. Consumers can improve work conditions by researching working conditions before buying a product, purchasing only products with a union label, and voicing concern to stores about products made in sub-par working conditions.

One way employers can make a difference is by giving a young person the opportunity for a job. Sister Cathy explained that some people have grown up without role models and don't know how to function in the world of work.

"Welfare is a vicious cycle," she said. "People grow up without role models and work skills. We need to give young people chances."

Globalization

"Because of our nation's economic power and unique role in this process, Catholics in the U.S. have a particular responsibility to reflect and act on these matters."

In the workplace, Sister Cathy said, Catholics need to look at the decisions they make and the effects these decisions will have on people around the world.

"Horrible things are going on with globalization," she continued. "I don't think they're horrible people, but people get caught in the system. There are people making bad decisions, and there is greed, which leads to sweat shops and child labor."

Work as gift

"In Genesis, we come to understand that human beings, created in God's image, share in the tasks of the Creator through their work," Cardinal Mahony stated. "In Catholic social teaching, work is for the person, not the person for work."

Seeing work as a continuation of God's creation can be an ongoing process, Sister Cathy said, adding: "It's a constant process of reminding ourselves. Work is part of our stewardship; it is giving of ourselves."

(03-07-02) [[In-content Ad]]