Learn justice language of preachers, social ministers told

Published: 2004-02-26

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- To get more justice-related themes into Mass homilies, social justice officials must learn the language of preachers, said Robert Gorman, executive director of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, La. Social justice ministers tend to be issue-oriented, have an action agenda and use terminology such as "social justice" and "distributive justice," said Gorman. "Preachers use a common language of biblical justice based on human relations," with the key phrase being "right relationships," he said. "We need to speak their language." Father Raymond Kemp agreed. He specializes in teaching priests and deacons how to integrate social justice themes into homilies. Gorman and the priest spoke at a Feb. 24 social justice and liturgy workshop during the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington. Biblical justice is based on "right relationships" that people have with God, one another and the environment, said Father Kemp, a Washington archdiocesan priest.

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