Jesus, Justice, And The Americas: The Intersection Of Spirituality And Social Reform In The Catholic Tradition

Abstract

Currently, United States immigration is a topic of enormous interest in the political sphere. The Catholic Church is a main actor in that debate, prompting interesting questions about the interaction of religion, politics, and justice. However, the study of such questions can confine Catholic social teaching (which comprises 2 millennia of work) to our present time. In this study, therefore, I examine the major themes of the Catholic social message throughout the Church’s history, especially in the Americas. I begin with early Christian figures (60 CE – 313 CE), then I turn to Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484-1566), and finally I analyze the work of Gustavo Gutiérrez (born in 1928). I will outline five key themes in these figures’ writings, as well as demonstrate their central focus on the interconnection of spirituality and social reform. Through my findings, I hope to elucidate a historical perspective that better contextualizes today’s study of Catholicism and social justice.