Michael Voris: Do you think there is an abuse of the Church’s social doctrine by people in the Church advancing social justice?
Bishop Schneider: I think yes, and this is important to clarify. Social justice is not the first task of the Church. Otherwise, Jesus and the apostles would have told us. We must always be faithful to Christ and to the apostles because our faith is Catholic and Apostolic.
In the time of Jesus and the apostles, there were many social problems and injustices, but addressing them was not the first concern of the Church’s mission. The primary concern was to guide souls to heaven. Of course, the Church Fathers spoke out against social injustice when it occurred, but it was not their main task.
Our first responsibility is to spread the truth about the will of God and His commandments. When this truth is embraced, the world will improve and change naturally. If we focus primarily on temporal issues like social justice, we are addressing only temporary matters, not eternal destiny. Of course, sin against social justice is a sin, and it will be judged by God, but this is only one aspect. People must first know the truth about Jesus Christ, about God’s commandments, and the Gospel. Christ incarnate is our Savior; there is no other way to be saved.
Therefore, the first task of bishops and clergy is to spread the Gospel directly and administer the mysteries of God, as Saint Paul said: we are administrators of the mysteries of God, administratores mysteriorum Dei. This is the primary responsibility: to give the mysteries of God, eternal life, and grace through the sacraments and the teaching of the Church.