Individual & Social Responsibility

Christians have always seen their social responsibilities as part of their faith. The Christian Social Movement of the 19th century founded by FD Maurice gave its support to improving the appalling conditions of working men of Victorian England. In the 21st century, there are still many unresolved problems, and Christians continue to find ways to play a central role in this.

Christianity has always had a strong commitment to alleviating social injustice. Jesus was concerned for the poor, sick and outcastes of society and St Paul, Jesus’ theological interpreter, gives many instructions about how to respond to those in need.

In modern times, many Christians ranging from William Wilberforce (1759-1833 slavery), Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845 penal reform), William Booth (1829-1912 alcoholism & poverty), Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965 under-developed nations) through to Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968 civil rights), Fr. David Randall (1947-1996 HIV/Aids) and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931- apartheid activist) have felt inspired to respond to the Christian message of applying unconditional love to all humans.