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Le blog de la Bergerie Sharing the faith . . . in English . . . et en français! |
In Caritas In Veritate Pope Benedict XVI challenges
us to apply justice, solidarity and charity to every thing we do, whether it
is local or global, for business or for non-profit, from managing finances to
managing the environment, from the ethics of the family to bio-ethic discoveries.
He says that true progress and full development can only come when coupled with
ethical living. The encyclical covers the full spectrum of political issues
and should please the "progressive" among us who will embrace the sections on
"social and redistributive justice, solidarity and the sharing of goods" and
the more "conservative" among us who will praise the parts rejecting "anti-birth
mentality, euthanasia, embryo research and cloning".
But the encyclical is calling us to think outside the box (even the political
parties box) and to apply ourselves to shape a better world, to infuse the economy
with faith and reason and to look at the world as our neighbor. The Pope even
challenges two sacred cows: Technology and Psychology, saying they are not enough,
that because new technologies are fascinating there is the danger of turning
us all into technocrats whose developmental growth in thinking and moral judgment
is actually limited. I'm a big fan of new technologies myself but the Pope is
right to raise some red flags. The encyclical suggests many practical applications,
from a sort of "tax choice" to the reform of the UN, asking for more transparency
and accountability, finding new ways "to manage the global economy; to bring
about timely disarmament, food security and peace; to guarantee the protection
of the environment and to regulate migration". What a bold vision! This is what
the G8 are trying to do on the political level but I think Pope Benedict is
calling for something else, for new solutions and new ways based on the system
of subsidiarity (which is more people oriented and favors local autonomy), in
a true spirit of charity and solidarity (which is the only way to curb profits
and reduce hoarding).
It is quite a challenge and it inspired me to apply its lesson to the Health
Care debate. As a wealthy nation we should be able to improve our current system
(even in the midst of a crises we are still part of the rich nations). The US
Bishops have already outlined 4 crucial criteria, all of them critical to a
reform and streaming from the core of our faith:
Our current system is not fulfilling these criteria yet and
it is usually work-dependent. It is controlled by private insurance even more
than by doctors and it favors people with means who can buy whatever coverage
they need. But others are falling through the cracks, whether they have lost
their jobs (as yours truly), whether they have a pre-existing condition or whether
they are the working poor with no coverage from their "little jobs". To improve
health care, we need to be able to articulate the 4 decisive factors above,
stressing subsidiarity and solidarity, and be ready to propose solutions. Should
the state create neighborhood non-profit health care centers, a sort of medical
Peace Corps or "Heal For America" program? Could faith-based organizations be
included in running such places? Why not allow a hybrid system of government
and private coverage, such as we have in education or in the postal service?
Not everything should be profit driven and the cost of essential drugs should
be reigned in, no matter what the pharmaceutical lobbies are saying. And finally,
since prevention is cheaper in the long run, why not create new jobs dedicated
to improve our own eating & exercise habits and reduce the nation's medical
cost in the long run.
But before anything else, we must understand that working for the common good implies the refusal to be drawn into demonizing political battles, the ability to
work out consensus and the calm determination to stay the course. As people of faith, we have two more advantages: the capacity to instill prayer into this
challenge and the humility to recognize that "God's love gives us the courage to continue seeking and working for the benefit of all". I don't expect Health
Care to be "solved" overnight but what I do expect, starting with myself, is to use my voice for encouragement and not fear, for clarity and not confusion,
and to be faithful - and useful. Or so I try.
Copyright ©2009 Michele Szekely
