Beyond interdependence

Interdependence between people and nations is a form of solidarity. Aided by advances in technology, solidarity as interdependence has been expanding rapidly. Communication, information and commerce are being exchanged at a pace never before seen.

Yet despite this growth in interdependence, inequalities, exploitation, oppression and corruption continue to be a significant part of the human experience. For this reason, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church states that the acceleration of interdependence must be accompanied by “equally intense efforts on the ethical-social plane.” Our failure to do this leads to the consequences of injustice being felt on a global scale. (192) Solidarity, then, must be understood not only as interdependence and a social principle, but also as a moral virtue.

Solidarity as a moral virtue

The Compendium expounds on this notion of solidarity as a moral virtue. Specifically, solidarity “determines the order of institutions.” The Church speaks of “structures of sin” that distort the relationships between people and nations, and the need to transform these into “structures of solidarity through the creation or appropriate modification of laws, market regulations, and juridical systems.” (193)

Getting back to the basics

This understanding of solidarity as both a principle and a moral virtue invites us to reflect upon the two great commandments. Jesus presented these as the foundation of “the whole law and the prophets.” (Mt 22:40) The first commandment tells us to love God with our whole selves. The second commands us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Scripture is clear that we cannot love the God we do not see apart from loving the neighbor we do see. (1 Jn 4:20) The fulfillment of the first commandment is therefore inseparably linked with our fulfillment of the second. Of course, the second stipulates that we love our neighbor as ourselves. We do this by working for their greatest good, just as we would do for ourselves.

Treating each person and humanity as a whole as another “self” is at the heart of the principle and virtue of solidarity. It calls us to see individuals and nations as part of one human family, which, as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds us, transcends national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.

For further reflection

In his First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul observes that God constructed the body “so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” (12:24–26)

• How does this passage express the principle and virtue of solidarity?
• How is the principle and virtue of solidarity expressed in my life?
• How might God be calling me to greater expression of the principle and virtue of solidarity?

Who said that?

“Today if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other – that man, that woman, that child is my brother or my sister.”

a) Pope Francis

b) St. Basil

c) St. Teresa of Calcutta

d) St. John Paul II

Answer: c) St. Teresa of Calcutta in her book, Love: A Fruit Always in Season.