Social Justice: Engaging, encountering the vulnerable in our midst

By Sara Ramirez | Catholic Charities of Central Texas

Our U.S. bishops often say that if we want to know how our society is doing, we must look to see how the most vulnerable are faring. Using this litmus test, how do we score?
But before we can answer this question, we must first ask ourselves, “Who are the most vulnerable?” Merriam-Webster defines “vulnerable” as “capable of being physically or emotionally wounded.” Using this definition, I would say that to be human is to be vulnerable. We all experience physical bumps and bruises as well as emotional pain associated with disappointment and loss. But who among us feel these physical or emotional wounds most deeply? Who are most likely to be wounded by other individuals or societal structures?
The most vulnerable, from a physical perspective, include those who do not have the strength to defend themselves or to escape a harmful situation. Certainly, that includes the unborn innocents who have no voice and no defense against the evils of abortion. The most vulnerable may include children, older adults or persons with disabilities who find themselves victims of abuse and neglect. While we still have work to do in achieving our goals to protect the most vulnerable, we are fighting the good fight. We advocate to overturn Roe v. Wade, we attend safe environment training to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe, and we report inappropriate activities to the proper authorities.
But what about vulnerability that is harder to identify and protect? Those whose voices are not heard, not because they do not speak, but often because we do not listen. I see this vulnerability in those clients who come to Catholic Charities seeking mental health counseling or immigration assistance. I see it in those who have lost their jobs and cannot seem to get out from under the predatory loan they took on to provide for their families.
Most recently, we have all seen the vulnerability of our Black neighbors, who have been targets of violence, discrimination and oppression. Sadly, racism is not new, but there is renewed energy in our communities and in our church to listen to the plights of our neighbors and engage in the work for racial justice.
In the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter against racism, “Open Wide our Hearts,” the bishops write, “As Christians, we are called to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must create opportunities to hear, with open hearts, the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters, if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice.”
Our Catholic faith teaches us that we have an obligation to offer a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. This means that we must prioritize those individuals or groups who remain marginalized. Every person has inherent dignity, made in the image and likeness of God, but those who are victims of injustice deserve the first and the best of what we have to offer.
As to our initial question about how our society is faring, the litmus test shows that we have significant work to do to ensure racial diversity is respected and celebrated. We must continuously work to eliminate racism and those structures that attempt to strip individuals of their God-given gifts and dignity. We must reach out to engage and encounter those who are on the peripheries in order to create real, lasting change.