St.

Paul University Surigao

ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
8400 Surigao City, Philippines

LUCERO, Princes Arianne O.

LOSA, ALMA G.
LOSA, ALNA G.

PhD EM – PAULINIAN

1. Why is Catholic Social Teaching essential to our faith?

Catholic Social Teaching is an essential element to our faith, for it is our commitment to the poor and
marginalized, the less fortunate and vulnerable. As humans created in the image and likeness of our God,
we must respect one another and develop a proper understanding of human life and dignity. Catholic
Social Teaching is also about being relational, with God, others, self and to His creation. Each of these
areas need to be harmonious for us to be followers of the Gospel call “to repent and believe in the Good
News” (Mark 1:15).
2. How should Catholic Social Teaching affect our lives, our decisions and our relationships?
Catholic Social Teaching affect our lives, our decisions and our relationships in many ways. It serves us
our guidance specially in good doings, it is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in
the world. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are clear guidelines for us to follow to help bring
about the reign of God. They are addresses to all peoples and not just Catholics to help us form and
sustain right relationships with God, self, others and creation.

3. Given the evolutionary nature of Catholic Social Teaching and the issues of our day, are there
some principles that you would add to the current seven listed in the video?
Aside from the 7 principles listed in the video. The things that should be added was Peace -means
to be in right relationship with God and with each other. Peace is the fruit of Charity and the consequence
of Justice. Peace is not merely an absence of war, it is rightly and appropriately called an enterprise of
justice.

Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, and action-oriented concept. In the words of
Pope John Paul II, “Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence
between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.” There is a close
relationship in Catholic teaching between peace and justice. Peace is the fruit of justice and is
dependent upon right order among human beings.