What We Value / Social Justice

Social Justice

Justice is a call for right relationships – between humans and God, among humans themselves, between humans and their world which is the gift given them by God. Social justice involves right relationships between humans and within all the human institutions they have created.

For centuries, Dominican women and men have been concerned about and involved in promoting justice. St. Dominic de Guzman sold his precious books and created an organization to feed the hungry, when he became aware of the unjust distribution of food in Valencia, Spain, in the 13th century. While the community of Antonio Montesinos and Bartolomé de las Casas preached and worked for justice for the enslaved Indians and Francisco Vittoria developed the first treatises on social justice for the practice of law, Dominican women educated and cared for the poor. Since 1977, the Order has emphasized the importance of the option for the poor and the need to promote justice and peace as essential dimensions of the gospel which is at the heart of our life and preaching.

Dominican Call to Justice

Each year the North American Promoters of Justice and Peace meet to reflect on the justice issues facing the Dominican family. Their collaborative efforts produce the "Call to Justice" document. Click here for a pdf of the 2006 goals.

Corporate Stance

A "corporate stance" is a statement by the Congregation asserting a position on an issue of human rights, social justice, and/or world peace, used as a foundation for action surrounding the issue. The Congregation presently has six corporate stances. Click here for details.

Justice Issues

The Congregation is actively involved in many of the issues promoted by the Dominican Call to Action. The Congregation also responds to issues affecting the local communities served by the sisters and associates. Included in the many justice activities and statements of the Congregation are those involving ecology and good stewardship of the earth's resources and for issues click here