Charity and Justice by Sr. Gloria Haider
CHARITY AND JUSTICE Many people view charity as very different from justice in that charity equals social service and justice equals social change. Also, charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms; while justice promotes social change in institutions or political structures. All this is true. But there are some ways that charity and justice are in close relationship to each other and effect each other. Many people are involved in individual charitable acts that help their neighbor or community. With these charitable acts they are hoping for social change. Christian churches have social services that they offer to the public. Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Methodist Mission Social Services, and Baptist Community Services are just a few Christian social organizations offering charitable services to the public. These organizations do not directly separate social service from social change. ...