Merton/Cardijn Option #4.

Today, we will look at Joseph Cardinal Cardijn's Vision of the Fundamental Option.

For readers who are not very familiar with Joseph Cardijn, he was a Belgian priest and cardinal and the founder of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement, along with other movements focused on the Catholic Social Teachings. His ethical vision and pastoral practice are deeply connected to what modern theology calls the "fundamental option"—a concept in Christian ethics that describes a person's basic orientation or decisive choice toward good (God) or evil.

Cardijn’s Ethical Vision

Cardijn's approach to ethics centers on the dignity and vocation of the human person. He emphasized that everyone possesses an inherent and inviolable dignity regardless of status or ability. This dignity is rooted in the person's freedom and responsibility to choose and act:

"I am a being who can choose... I am free and above all I am responsible. Being responsible means that you can answer for your whole life.... That is why I have duties. A person essentially has duties and must perfect itself and become increasingly a person."

Cardijn insisted that every person is called to realize their vocation and mission on earth, to become more fully themselves, and to respond to God's call. This process of becoming—of personal and social transformation—requires conscious, responsible choices that reflect a fundamental orientation toward the good.

The Fundamental Option: Definition and Relevance

The "fundamental option" in Christian ethics refers to the basic, underlying direction of a person's life, shaped by a decisive commitment to God and the values of the Gospel. (If you are not a believer in God, think humanity, think Aristotle, think Eudaimonia) is not just about isolated actions but about the core choice that gives unity and meaning to all particular decisions. This concept was articulated in 20th-century Catholic theology as a way to understand how individuals grow morally and spiritually over time, moving beyond simply following rules or laws.

Louis Monden, S.J., whose work influenced the articulation of the "fundamental option," described it as a framework for Christian ethics that addresses the deeper existential choice each person must make—whether to orient their life toward God and the good or away from it.

The fundamental option aligns with the following principles:

• Human freedom allows individuals to make profound, life-defining choices.

• Actions, though significant, derive their moral weight from the overarching orientation of the person.

• Conversion or reorientation can fundamentally reshape one's ethical direction.

Cardijn and the Fundamental Option

Cardijn's work was a beacon of empowerment, particularly for young workers. It inspired them to recognize their worth, act with moral integrity, and transform their lives and environments in light of Christian values. He is best known for the "See-Judge-Act" methodology, a practical approach to ethical reflection and action.

See-Judge-Act Method: Cardijn's practical framework encourages people to observe reality (see), evaluate it in the light of faith and philosophy (judge), and take transformative action (act). This method fosters the development of a fundamental orientation toward justice, dignity, and solidarity and instills hope and optimism for a better future.

• Personal Responsibility and Freedom: Cardijn highlighted that each person must make their own choices, and these choices shape who they become. This echoes the fundamental option's focus on the person's basic orientation and the cumulative effect of their decisions.

• Dignity and Vocation: For Cardijn, every person has a mission and is called to respond to God's invitation. The fundamental option is lived out in the ongoing process of becoming more fully human, embracing one's vocation, and acting for justice and the common good.

Integration with Broader Christian Ethics

Cardijn's vision is part of a larger tradition in Christian ethics that emphasizes both personal transformation and social responsibility. The 'Merton-Cardijn Option,' as described by contemporary commentators, integrates the contemplative depth of Thomas Merton with Cardijn's activist engagement. This option calls for a life that balances inner wholeness with outward action for justice. It encourages individuals to cultivate a deep, contemplative understanding of their faith and the world and engage in active, transformative action to bring about justice and change.

"Choosing a 'Merton-Cardijn option' means living a life committed to personal authenticity, spiritual depth, and active participation in creating a just society rooted in the gospel values and teachings."

Legacy

Cardijn's method and the concept of the fundamental option remain influential in:

• Catholic social movements (e.g., liberation theology, worker justice initiatives, family movements, student movements, Vatican II initiatives).

• Modern ethical discussions on structural sin and systemic change.

• Youth and worker apostolates emphasize active faith engagement with movements of labor, democracy, and peace in the world.

Conclusion

Joseph Cardijn's ethical vision embodies the fundamental option by insisting that everyone must freely and responsibly orient their life toward God, human dignity, and justice. His legacy invites individuals and communities to make a foundational choice for the good, expressed through ongoing action and personal growth. This approach remains deeply relevant in contemporary Christian ethics and moral life discussions.

Cardijn's methodology is a practical embodiment of the fundamental option, enabling individuals to continually re-evaluate and align their lives with ethical and spiritual principles. His legacy remains influential in Catholic social thought and ethics, demonstrating how faith and action can converge to address modern challenges.