Church Social Teaching

Introduction

 Catholic Faith is profoundly social. We cannot be called truly

“Catholic” unless we hear and heed the Church call to serve
those in need and work for justice and peace.

 Church is a sign and safeguard of the dignity of Human

Person.

 It is a religious organization whose purpose is to help bring

about the reign of God in history.

 The social mission is “constitutive” not extra curricular or

optional

 Church has a long history of social justice.

 Social justice teachings have their roots in the prophets of

the Hebrew Scriptures.

 This included prophets such as Isaiah and Micah.

 Jesus’ call for justice and compassion for those in need

became an essential part of Christianity.

 Followers were challenged to live as Jesus did.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Principles of Church Social Teaching

Human Dignity
 Human beings are created in the image of God and,
therefore, are endowed with dignity. This inherent dignity
carries with it certain basic rights and responsibilities which
are exercised within a social framework.
 The foundation of all Catholic social teaching is the belief in
the inherent dignity of the human person.
 Human life is sacred, and each person is precious. The
person is made in the image of God. We are called to honor
and give priority to the human person.
 The dignity of the human person is the starting point for a
moral vision for society.
The Common Good

 While the dignity of the human person is affirmed,

individuals live in common with others and the rights of
individuals must be balanced with the wider common good
of all. The rights and needs of others must be always
respected
 The person is not only sacred but also social. The obligation
to “love our neighbor” requires a broader social
commitment.
 Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the good of
the whole society, to the common good.
 How we organize our society – in economics, politics, law
and policy – directly affects human dignity and the capacity
of individuals to grow in community.

The Principle of Solidarity

 Human beings are social by nature and do not exist merely

as individuals. When considering the human community, it
must be remembered that it consists of individuals and
social elements.
 We are one human family, whatever our national, racial,
ethnic, economic and ideological differences.
 We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they
live. Solidarity means that “loving our neighbor” has global
dimensions in an interdependent world.
 Pope John Paul II has called solidarity a virtue, by which one
demonstrates “a firm and persevering determination to
commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the
good of all and of each individual, because we are all really
responsible for all.”
The Principle of Subsidiarity

 Recognizes that society is based on collectives or

communities of people ranging from small groups or
families. This principle affirms that a higher-level community
should not interfere in the life of a community at a lower
level of social organization.
 Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities
--- to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

The Purpose of the Social Order

 The social order must uphold the dignity of the human
person.
 Human dignity can be protected, and a healthy community
can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and
responsibilities are met.
 Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to
those things required for human decency, starting with
food, shelter, clothing, employment, health care and
education.

The Purpose of Government

 The purpose of government is the promotion of the

common good. Governments are required to actively
participate in society to promote and ensure social justice
and equity.
 The government has a positive moral function. It is an
instrument to promote human dignity, protect human
rights, and build the common good.
 In our large society, we cannot always carry out our
responsibilities to others on a one-to-one basis, so a key
function of government is to assist us in fulfilling these
responsibilities and promoting the common good.
The Principle of Participation

 Individuals and groups must be enabled to participate in

society.
 All people have the right to participate in the economic,
political and cultural life of society. This is a fundamental
demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity.
 It is wrong for a person or a group to be excluded unfairly or
to be unable to participate in society.

The Universal Purpose of Goods

 The world’s goods are meant for all. Although the Church
upholds the right to private property this is subordinate to
the right to common use and the overall common good.
There is a social mortgage on private property.
 The economy must serve people, not the other way around.
 People have a right to economic initiative and to private
property, but it is unjust for some to amass excessive wealth
when others lack the basic necessities of life.

The Option for the Poor

 This refers to seeing the world through the eyes of the poor
and standing with the poor in solidarity. This should lead to
action for justice with and on behalf of those who are poor
and marginalized.
 The obligation to evaluate social and economic activity from
the viewpoint of the poor arises from the command to love
one’s neighbor as one’s self.
 The “option for the poor” is an essential part of society’s
effort to achieve the common good. A healthy community
 can be achieved only if its members give special attention to
those with special needs.

Stewardship

 The goods of the earth are gifts from God, intended for the
benefit of all. We are not ultimate owners of these goods,
but rather, the temporary stewards and trustees.
 We are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these
gifts and preserving them for future generations. We are
not merely consumers and users.
 How we treat the environment is a measure of our
stewardship, a sign of our respect for the Creator.

Reflection

 "Every human being is created in the image of God and

redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is invaluable and
worthy of respect as a member of the human family“

 "Every person, from the moment of conception to natural

death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with
that dignity"

 "In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich

and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the last judgment
(Mt. 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor
and vulnerable first“

 "We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in

society, seeking together the common good and well-being
of all, especially the poor and vulnerable"

 "Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers'

and sisters' keepers, wherever they live. We are one human
 family.... Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means
learning that 'loving our neighbor' has global dimensions in
an interdependent world“

 "The Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for

the Creator by our stewardship of creation"