Dignity of Work
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In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected -- the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property and to economic initiative. |
The
recognition of the value work and what it brings to an individual and community
has been apart of the Catholic tradition since at least the time of St. Benedict
(6th century). During the 1500 years of its existence, the Rule of
St. Benedict organizes the monastic day into regular periods of communal and
private prayer, sleep, spiritual reading, and manual labor – ut in omnibus
glorificetur Deus, "that in all [things] God may be glorified" (cf. Rule ch.
57.9). How
might God be glorified by my work today? How might I glorify God by recognizing
the work others have done?
Though the
prices on some fair trade items might be more expensive than some stores, the
prices reflect the true value of the work and time the worker has put into
making the product. From the chocolate we eat to the coffee we drink - these
are simple ways we can show solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the
world and the work that they do.
Overview | Human Dignity | Common Good | Rights and Responsibilities | Option for the Poor | Participation
Dignity of Work I Stewardship of Creation I Solidarity I Role of Government I Promotion of Peace
This page was last updated on 04/07/2008