It’s not Just Work – Dignity for All Workers
Sunday 17th February 2019Today marks Racial Justice Sunday. It is a day on which we all called to earnestly pray for an end to racism and racial inequality in our country. The theme this year is Dignity of Work, looking at how all people must not be exploited or face discrimination and hatred in their work.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for human masters”
Colossians 3:23
Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop on Migration and Asylum for the Bishops Conference writes:
“In a world steeped in violence, conflict, and discrimination, the Gospel demands that we acknowledge the dignity of the human person, the necessity of building peace, prosperity, justice for all.
In Octogesima Adveniens and Gaudium et Spes, St Paul VI teaches that “all people have a right to work
… to lead a worthy life on the material, social, cultural and spiritual level”. We are therefore called to ensure people are not exploited while they work, and to open our hearts to those who face this hatred. “As you did this to the one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me…”
In our task as disciples of Christ, our responsibility is to make sure people are treated with dignity at work and are not exploited. Migrant communities and those suffering from racial abuse are particularly vulnerable to being drawn into unjust working conditions and labour exploitation.”
News and information regarding Racial Justice Sunday is available on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales website: www.catholicnews.org.uk/racial-justice-sunday-2019
A prayer For those facing exploitation
O God,
Gracious God,
From your abundance all gifts and skills are bestowed,
Making us participants in your work of creation.
By the word of your Son,
Confront our greed,
Challenge us when we treat people as means of profit,
Or discriminate unjustly against our fellow human beings.
Raise us up to new life in your service
That in all our works
Begun, continued and ended in you
We may glorify your holy name.
Through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,
Amen.
