▪In the Catholic Social Teaching

Political and Theological

Vision of the Human Person

Opening Prayer – Video

That the spirit of revolutionary change, which has long
been disturbing the nations of the world, should have
passed beyond the sphere of politics and made its
influence felt in the cognate sphere of practical economics
is not surprising…
Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor

▪ The momentous gravity of the state of

things now obtaining fills every mind with
painful apprehension; wise men are
discussing it; practical men are proposing
schemes; popular meetings, legislatures,
and rulers of nations are all busied with it -
actually there is no question which has
taken deeper hold on the public mind.
▪ http://www.vatican.va/content/leo-
xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-
xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html
Political vision of the human
person (based on
Enlightenment ideals)
▪The person is an independent individual who
has rights and responsibilities that are bounded
by legal limits.
▪ Equality is a foundation of the political vision.
▪ The role of the political state is active but
limited – the state must protect rights, promote
the general welfare of its citizens and insure
public order, but should not interfere in matters
of faith.
The first principle of Catholic social teaching is the
correct view of the human person.
And he is called by grace to a covenant with
his Creator, to offer him a response of faith
and love that no other creature can give.
✓ Context: Having vs. Being
✓ Created out of love
✓ In the image and likeness of God
✓ Redeemed by Christ
✓ Gifted with freedom
▪ Human dignity originates from God and is of God
because we are made in God’s own image and
likeness (Gn 1:26-27).

▪ Human life is sacred because the human person is

the most central and clearest reflection of
▪ God among us.
▪ capable of self-knowledge,
▪ of self-possession, and of
▪ freely giving himself and entering into
communion with other persons.
▪ Human beings have transcendent worth
and value that comes from God;

▪ this dignity is not based on any human

quality, legal mandate, or individual
merit or accomplishment.
Poverty differs according to context
The natural worth of a person as a creature
formed in the image and likeness of God

The dignity of the human person is

inviolable and inalienable…
Having vs. Being

▪ Measured by what I have ▪ Characterized by who I

▪ Attitude is to accumulate
or possess
▪ Everything is based on
utility
▪ Believes in the gospel of
secularism
am
▪ Attitude is to develop
one’s potentials
▪ Everything is based on
self-actualization
▪ Professes the gospel of
the Kingdom
This is the basis for the equality of all, regardless of creed,
race, sex, age, color
It can never be taken away, but may either be enhanced or
diminished
Created out of love

▪ The only creature called to

communion with God (GS 17)

▪ The person’s worth stems from

this love of God
Image and Likeness of God
▪The person as caretaker of creation
▪An intelligent and noble master and guardian
▪Not a heedless exploiter and destroyer

▪This is the person’s work!

▪Steward
▪Co-creator?
A Jesus on the side of the poor
Redeemed by Christ
▪ By Jesus’ Incarnation, he united himself
with each person (GS 22)

▪ God’s solidarity with his people

▪ “PAKIKIRAMAY” ng Diyos sa tao

▪ On the cross, Christ showed that

▪ Each person is worth saving
▪ He is one with us in our sufferings
Gifted with freedom
▪Purpose: SELF-ACTUALIZATION

▪“so that he might of his own accord seek

his Creator and fully attain his full and
blessed perfection by cleaving to him.”
(GS 17)
How human dignity is violated
Main categories of violation:
▪Humiliation
▪Instrumentalization or objectification
▪Degradation
▪Dehumanization
 What does the
Church say about the
human person?
Biblical vision of the human person
o The biblical vision of the human person is grounded on
revelation. (Gn. 1:26-27)
o The human person is made in the image and likeness of God.
o Human dignity is understood as flowing from one’s
relationship with God and is not earned or merited. It is
inherent.
o Human dignity is grounded in human freedom. The human
person is free to accept or reject the ongoing self-
communication of God.
o Human dignity is realized and protected in community with
others.
Theological vision of the human person
o The principle of human dignity rests on a foundation of faith
which affirms that God is the source and creator of all life.

o In faith and through faith, the human person is fulfilled. The

concept of human dignity is based on revelation and is
essentially theological in nature.

o The human person is capable of knowing and loving God,

unlike any other creature.

o The human person is to be morally responsible for the

concrete protection of human dignity, and to “do good and
avoid evil.”

o The human person is free. Only one who is free can be

morally responsible.
Standards of
Dignity and
Respect
We walk
the talk.

We
witness to
our faith.
Gifted with freedom
▪ Purpose: SELF-ACTUALIZATION

▪ “so that he might of his own accord seek his

Creator and fully attain his full and blessed
perfection by cleaving to him.” (GS 17)
Encyclicals and Human Dignity
What’s a good life…
 Insight Paper:
1. What challenges and realities present in the
world today pose the most serious threat to
human dignity?
2. How can I uphold the rights of the poor?