Justice and Love: two dimensions, one reality. On the Deus caritas est encyclical

Abstract

After a brief introduction on the whole Deus caritas est encyclical, the article approaches the three parts of the document most relevant to social Christian belief: the service of charity as a task constituent to the Church (nos. 19–25), justice as an autonomous political reality, although ethically supported (nos. 26–29) and charitable and voluntary activities (nos. 30–39). Among the essential questions covered, special reference is made to the role of the State in the search for fair social order, in which each and every person should partake of social benefits, the role of social doctrine as a fundamental basis when proposing guidelines for discussion by society as a whole, and the stance the Church should adopt as regards the political venture for a fairer society: the Church should be present in the fight for justice. The article concludes with a general reflection on the social question.