“A crisis of solidarity. Solidarity in confronting the crisis.”

In these times of such deep and extended crisis, different sectors of the Society of Jesus in Spain have gathered together to share a series of reflections, questions and proposals. We believe they have a place in a plural society like the Spanish one. We are not assuming to impose these reflections on anyone, simply offering them as a contribution to the public debate. We do so based on the Gospel values and from a Christian sensibility that we believe can be understood by everyone, although it may not be fully shared by everyone.
In October 2015, the different sectors of the Society of Jesus in Spain (university, educational, pastoral, social and Jesuit communities) published a shared document “A crisis of solidarity. Solidarity in confronting the crisis.” It is the first joint document of all sectors in the Spanish Society of Jesus, and includes the internal dialogue and agreements among the different ways to face and feel the reality surrounding us. During the elaboration process, hundreds of people close to the Ignatian family belonging to Christian communities participated in the effort, including local apostolic platforms and individuals who offered their reflections, which were gathered by an editorial board made up of three Jesuits.
The document aims to encourage reflection based on an analysis of the reality, engaging from a Christian and ethical perspective and offering these reflections to our society, suggesting alternatives and action proposals for political and individual consideration; stimulating our own responsibility from an institutional and personal view, and asking ourselves how we can contribute to facing these issues; encouraging readers to be affected by reality, to be open and aware of these issues. In short, the document seeks to “express our dissatisfaction, but not from a pessimistic or hopeless perspective, but from a creative and searching spirit.”
Solidarity as key to interpreting reality
The question that many have launched is: “why focus on solidarity?” The answer is that we believe solidarity is key to understanding what is taking place for three reasons. First of all, the crisis is a consequence of the weakening of solidarity; second, the crisis is favoring a lack of solidarity and third; the crisis is also leading to the flourishing of unheard of solidarity-based initiatives.
In order to face these challenges, we want to go back to some principles we consider to be inalienable because they inspire the social welfare state model from its origins, so that the importance of placing the human person at the center is reinforced, and so that the common welfare of society and social rights that guarantee equal opportunities for everyone are upheld.
We commit ourselves
Maybe one of the most striking points of the document is the last chapter where the commitments are highlighted, since it is not only about reflecting on social realities and making suggestions but also asking ourselves how the Society of Jesus as a whole, including Jesuits and collaborators, can respond to reinforce solidarity, inspired by Ignatian spirituality.
In order to support the dissemination of the document, a website has been launched so that the full document can be read in English and Spanish. We invite you to read it with the hope that it can be a tool to grow in self-awareness and also a chance to evaluate the work and scope of action of our institutions. It is an invitation to continue deepening in the analysis of our social realities and the causes behind them.
http://crisis-solidaridad.jesuitas.es/