Ramirez, Mina

Dr Mina RamirezPresident, Asian Social Institute (ASI), Philippines & Member of the Pontifical Academy of the Social Sciences Preaching Justice: Dominican Contributions to Social Ethics in the 20th Century” is a much needed book for study and reflection especially by Christian professionals who search for meaning in their life in the light of Faith. The life stories of eminent Dominican priests, and two lay people, significantly contributed to the development of Christian social teachings by their praxis of integrating Science and Christian Faith – the source of a vision of a socio-political, communication and economic order which gives importance to human dignity, common good, social justice, principle of subsidiarity and solidarity. Some of the processes featured in this publication in resolving the social question are still relevant for developing societies. In early and mid-twentieth century, there was already an insight of the value of participatory research, of self-empowerment approaches to instil a sense of human dignity among the marginalized, whose language and culture should be respected and of advocacy towards social legislation to enhance the favourable conditions that would promote ‘fullness of life’ for all without exclusion. Above all, the reader will breathe in, from a reflective reading of the book, a worldview which puts people at the center of development derived basically from the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. How to bring about an economy that gives primacy to the person was a preoccupation already then – and is still, now. Albert Nolan offers a socially engaged spirituality from among those “being sinned against”. Reading the “signs of the times” moves to Spirit-led action. Transforming “structures of sin” into “structures of grace” in and through Christ is responding to the calling towards a radical commitment to newness of God’s struggling people and their social milieu. The twentieth century social ethics writers have not dealt with the ecological dimension of the social question. A foreshadowing of it appears in the social teaching of Arthur Utz (1908-2001) grounded on categories derived from social philosophy and social ethics, with implications for creation theology. While the ecological issue is not yet a subject of concern among the Dominicans of the 20th century, it nevertheless, no doubt, will be picked up by Dominican religious priests, sisters and laity of the 21st century – a challenge in this increasingly globalizing world. May all readers of this precious document be inspired to participate in the circular movement of thought (ideas), inquiry (research) and action towards Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.