By Stephen Kelly
The spirituality of work was the subject of a talk and discussion presented by the Young Christian Workers' Movement on August 31 in Croydon Park.
Michael Fallon, Catholic priest and theologian, said that each worker has a right to be actively involved (with mind, heart, soul and strength) in how their own work is organised. This is so the interest of one group does not override the interests of the collective.
The discussion began with the experience and aspirations of young workers. Maryanne, aged 20, spoke of the insecurity and sense of worthlessness she felt in the casual jobs she has held while studying to be a teacher. She spoke of having to wear lipstick and look pretty as a waitress, while she was paid a flat rate of pay on all days. Her shifts were reduced for asking for a Saturday night off, and in one case she was dismissed the day she went on holidays.
Maryanne contrasted this with the fulfilment she had in prac teaching, and how she looked forward to using her talents in a permanent job.
James, 22, spoke of all the jobs he had had. The one he enjoyed most was at a fast food chain, where he was given the responsibility of being the assistant manager. One Monday he and the rest of the staff turned up to find the store cleared. The owners, bankrupt, had fled, leaving pay outstanding.
In light of this, Michael Fallon underlined the point that the worker is a person first, hardly a commodity, a thing. Work is key to the human question, as it is the way people have fulfilment and contribute to building a better society. It is the key factor in the way we coexist in nature. He said that work must liberate people, not enslave them. Enslavement occurs where spirituality is neglected.
Spirituality is experienced as we become aware of ourselves as possessing a unique human dignity. This happens "when my true self connects with the inner reality of others and of the real world of which I am a part". It happens when people relate as equals, recognising their different gifts — as "heart speaks to heart". As individuals or as a collective, people believe they deserve better and are able to bring about change.
A constant point made in the discussion was the power that a boss has over a worker in a workplace. Michael drew a
parallel with Jesus on the cross. Although Jesus' murderers had power over him, they did not have control. Jesus never gave them control, as he refused to see them as they saw him, as a thing. He never stopped seeing them as people. As we look at injustice, as we look at the crucifixion, we must fix our attention on the person trapped and recognise the cross as false.
Michael's talk echoed a central point of Catholic social teaching, that labour has priority over capital: that capital as the means of production is the product of work, and should be at the service of work.
Pope John Paul II has said: "Everything that is at the service of work, technology, factories, etc, is the result of work", and that the means of production should serve labour.
He has also said that in the same way, "Private property does not constitute for anyone an absolute and unconditional right. This right is understood within the broader context of the right common to all to use the goods of the whole creation."