Office for Justice and Peace
Top Ten Justice & Peace Videos
Steve Colecchi and his staff at the Diocese of Richmond have developed a "Top Ten Video" list of social justice videos.- BRING DOWN THE WALLS (1991)
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum (Catholic Social Teaching). This video introduces the wisdom, power and common heritage of the social teachings of the Church. It is an important tool in the parish's effort to educate and motivate Catholics regarding the church's social doctrine. By putting these preachings into practice in our lives, we can help "Bring Down The Walls of injustice." Produced by the Department of Social Development and World Peace, U.S. Catholic Conference (14 min.) [Catholic social teaching] - BROTHERS AND SISTERS AMONG US (1990)
This video, produced in the Diocese of Joliet, allows poor people to tell their own stories. They share their hopes and dreams as well as the many obstacles that keep them from a life of dignity and self-sufficiency. Produced by the Campaign for Human Development. (16 min.) [poverty] [community organizing] - THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S (1995)
Together, all of us are called to accept responsibility in Christ to contribute to the restoration and protection of a healthy society and environment. With images of the natural gifts of the earth, this video calls us to be accountable for what we do?or fail to do?to respect, preserve, and care for God?s presence in human life and all creation. The 7 themes offered by the U.S. bishops in their pastoral statement Renewing the Earth are presented in this video to help us recognize, embrace, and build communities to champion a faith-filled vision of the Lord?s earth and ecological responsibility. Building peace, preserving a just and sustainable environment, society, and world are not optional ideals but matters of faith and practical necessities for human life. Published by U.S. Catholic Conference. (13 min) [ecology] [Catholic social teaching] - FACES OF THE ENEMY
This video opens with and frequently returns to enemy images taken from propaganda posters and political cartoons of different nations. It shows the various ways we turn our rivals into rats and rapists, dogs and demons, bats and barbarians, abstractions or enemies of God in order to justify war. Published by KQED San Francisco Public Broadcasting. (30 min.) [peacemaking] - GLOBAL SOLIDARITY: A FRAMEWORK FOR PARISHES (1998)
Helping believers connect the Gospel to the world in which we live is one of the greatest challenges parishes face. This videotape summarizes the U.S. bishops? statement, Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes. It offers support for U.S. parishes to act on the gospel mandate to care for all God?s people, wherever they live. The bishops recognize the challenges facing parishes trying to find effective ways to act on this message, they suggest that global solidarity can be woven into what parishes are already doing. Called to Global Solidarity provides a concise, compelling message for parish and school groups, for regional meetings, and for other groups wishing to explore how parishes can respond to the call for global solidarity. Produced by Lumen Catechetical Consultants, Inc. (14 min.) [parish social ministry] [Catholic social teaching] [global solidarity] - I AM ONLY A CHILD (1992)
This video presents a compelling reflection on the state of our children in our nation and world. It is also a vehicle for promoting the Catholic Campaign for Children and the 1991 pastoral statement of the US bishops, Putting Children and Families First. It applies Catholic social teaching to the challenges faced by our Church, nation, and world in meeting the needs of children. It can be used in large or small group discussion, and is suitable for adults and high school youth. Produced for the US Catholic Conference Department of Social Development and World Peace by Lumen Catechetical Consultants. (14 min.) [Catholic social teaching] [poverty] - THE MONDRAGON EXPERIMENT
This is a BBC documentary about the extraordinary network of worker-owned businesses in the Basque region of Spain. Inspired by a priest's vision of Catholic social teachings in action, the Mondragon system of worker ownership is examined in detail. A fascinating account of an economic system based on the human dignity of the worker. Produced by the BBC. (55 min.) [economic justice] [community organizing] [workers? rights] [global solidarity] - POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY (1996)
The U.S. bishops? statement on political responsibility challenges Catholics to participate in public life, using the opportunities of our democracy to help shape a society more respectful of the life and dignity of all and more committed to the common good. Recognizing that we are a diverse community of conservatives and liberals, of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, we are called to reinvigorate the democratic process with civil and principled debate about the values and priorities that will determine our future. The bishops? 1995 statement Political Responsibility: Proclaiming the Gospel of Life, Protecting the Least Among Us, and Pursuing the Common Good is summarized here to provide a concise compelling version of this message for use by individuals, parishes, and dioceses. Published by the U.S. Catholic Conference. (17 min.) [political responsibility] [Catholic social teaching] [parish social ministry] - THE SEAMLESS GARMENT (1992)
In this video people are interviewed about their personal commitments to the consistent ethic of life, or "seamless garment," as taught by the Catholic church. They share key experiences in their lives that shaped their opposition to abortion, capital punishment, war, and other forms of violence. This video is the best available in showing how these basic life issues are interconnected. (28 min.) [respect life] [abortion] [peacemaking] [death penalty] - SHELTER BOY
This is a segment of Fox Broadcasting Company?s television magazine show, The Reporters. It explores the problems of a homeless family in a San Francisco shelter. You will not easily forget the story of the young boy in this homeless family. Published by Fox Broadcasting Co. (30 min.) [homelessness] - VOICES FOR DEVELOPMENT (1990)
This video introduces viewers to the international development process and its strong foundation in Catholic Social Teaching. In the video, we hear people from around the world define their perspectives on development efforts. Voices for Development demonstrates the strong links between faith and social justice. It highlights how our faith tradition calls on us to work in partnership with the people in developing countries as they strive to achieve a life of full human dignity. Created by Catholic Relief Services. (20 min.) [global solidarity] [Catholic social teaching]
