Culture Wars, Social Justice, & The Spiritual Works Of Mercy

I tend to read a lot. I read books and articles. Most of what I read concerns history, theology, and politics. Sometimes these topics are mixed and overlapping. Furthermore, I do not limit myself to just reading those with whom I agree. I often read others with whom I disagree. What I find troubling among some progressive Catholics I read is the identifying Catholic moral teachings (and those who discuss them) as merely engaging in the culture wars. For example, click here, here, and here. As I read these authors, I often wonder: what role do the spiritual works of mercy play for these Catholics?

In this article, I discuss the spiritual works of mercy (SWM) and their importance, not only in inner-Catholic communication, but also in all aspects of public and private life. If truth exists and relates to reality, and Catholics think of SMW as true, the SWM must exist outside of Catholicism.

Furthermore, as seen in the closing of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) at the USCCB, a fund focused on the corporal works of mercy (CWM), the two exist (SWM and CWM) simultaneously, not exclusively of each other. Through providing grants to organizations that stand in opposition to Church teaching, CCHD divorced SWM and CWM. Therefore, it no longer represented Catholicism and the USCCB.

What are the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church places the SWM and the CWM together. It states:

2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God…

Here, the Church teaches that SWM and the CWM (together called the works of mercy) originate from the same source: charity (love). A person possesses bodily necessities, yes, but they equally possess needs of the spirit as well. If the Church does not separate the works of mercy, neither should those who claim the name Catholic (including Catholics at the CCHD).

A Closer Look at the SWM

Drawing from the whole of Catholic tradition, the USCCB’s website goes into great detail defining the SWM. For the sake of brevity, I highlight only the SWMs that seem to trigger a condemnation for engaging in culture wars.

Counseling the doubtful

Everyone has moments of doubt in their faith journey. Nevertheless, we should always remember that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and turn to him along our way.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise. (Prov 19:20)
The Cross of Christ: “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor 1:25)
Has someone asked you for advice? Orient your response to Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Follow Christ with the witness of your life so that others may see God’s love revealed in your actions.

Moreover, we see in the SWM an affirmation of Truth as a person – Christ. Truth exists and therefore exist for everyone, not just Catholics. Sadly, if Catholics (or others who accept the truth as Truth) express this view publicly, they get branded a culture warrior. To those who embrace a relativized view of reality, an affirmation concerning Truth seems unseemly and uncouth, as being against “just getting along.”

Instructing the ignorant

Learn about our faith and be open to talking with others about our beliefs. There is always something more to discover about our faith.

Know your faith! Read through the USCCA to find out more about the Catholic faith and how to live it.

Not a trigger on the surface, however, those who know their faith tend to get labeled as culture warriors, as they also tend to fall into the more conservative camp. Now, some progressive Catholics also know the faith, but many refuse to defend the Church’s moral teachings, especially on sexual morality.

Admonishing the Sinner

Do not judge but be supportive in helping others find their way and correct their mistakes. Together we can learn to walk more closely with Christ.

In humility we must strive to create a culture that does not accept sin, while realizing that we all fall at times.
Don’t judge, but guide others towards the path of salvation. (see Mt 7:1-2)
When you correct someone, don’t be arrogant. We are all in need of God’s loving correction.

Oh boy… Nothing triggers the branding of culture warrior more than acknowledging sin’s existence. Going beyond this to “admonish the sinner” goes beyond the pale (totally unacceptable). The “presumption” of Catholics who desire “to create a culture that does not accept sin” smacks of judgementalism to those who deny sin as any real spiritual threat. Well, unless the “sin” involves the environment or CWM—sins that point outward instead of inward.

Forgiving Injuries

Forgiving others is difficult at times because we do not have God’s limitless mercy and compassion. But Jesus teaches us that we should forgive as God forgives, relying on him to help us show others the mercy of God

Participate in the Sacrament of Penance.

Not sin again! Man, those culture warriors sure do hammer on sin (and the cure for sin—repentance, confession, and contrition). Forgiveness is powerful. If we allow God to forgive us, we forgive others. A major part of forgiveness involves contrition and the desire to sin no more. This, too, gets lumped in with culture wars if overemphasized.

What Happened to the CCHD?

At the onset, I mentioned the downfall of the CCHD. The USCCB meant for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to provide grants to needy organizations to promote justice and human dignity. Sadly, as reported by Micheal Hichborn at the Lepanto Institute, 66 grants provided by the CCHD in 2020-2021 went to organizations in direct violation of CCHD policy and Catholic moral teaching. To view their findings, please click here. The grants provided by the CCHD to organizations that support abortion, contraception, and sexual disorder scandalizes the faithful, especially those who contributed financially. In short, the CCHD could not work to promote justice and human dignity at the same time it funded injustice and indignity. The USCCB acted correctly in shutting it down.

Final Thoughts….

As shown above, works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal, exist as one. To paraphrase our Lord, what does it profit a man to provide for his physical needs at the expense of his soul? Christ calls all Catholics to care for both the corporal and the spiritual needs of others. This balance does not equate to engaging the culture wars. It equates to faithfully following Christ. To lessen the role of the SWM is to lessen the full mission of the Church in the world.