St. Joseph Church
Bristol, Connecticut

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti
Pastoral Minister

Charity and Justice

Two Steps of Catholic Service

This chart is a quick reference to the "two steps" of Catholic service. One without the other means that ministry to service is incomplete. Charity without justice reinforces the status quo creating human dependency. Justice without charity, immediate action to feed and cloth etc...,results in brutality and often times death.

"If you want peace, work for justice." -Pope Paul VI
Charity...
Social Service

Scriptural Reference:
Good Samaritan Story

 Justice...
Social Change

Scriptural Reference:
Exodus Story
The Story does not attempt to understand high crime areas. The Samaritan provides only immediate and temporary relief. Moses does not ask for provisions for the Hebrew slave-labor force. He confronts the structural causes of   oppression with the message:
"Let My people go."
One on One Actions Public, group actions
Meet immediate need Planning for the long-term
Direct Service:
food, clothing etc...		 Promote social change in  institutions
Requires repeated actions Resolves structural injustice
Directed at the effects of injustice: Address root causes of social symptoms injustice

Compiled by Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Created 9/26/1998 
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