Catholic Social Teaching
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building
a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern
society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a
tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness
of this tradition is best understood through a direct reading of these
documents. In these brief reflections during September, the Saint Francis
Peace & Justice committee will highlight the key themes at the heart
of Catholic social tradition.
1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the
dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the
human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.
In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and assisted
suicide. The value of human life is being threatened by increasing use
of the death penalty. We believe that every person is precious, that people
are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution
is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
2. Call to Family, Community and Participation
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our
society in economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human
dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. The family
is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened,
not undermined. 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.
3. Rights and Responsibilities
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected
and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected
and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental
right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding
to these rights are duties and responsibilities to one another, to our
families, and to the larger society.
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. 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.
5. Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more
than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in
God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic
rights of workers must be respected – the right to productive work, to
decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property,
and to economic initiative.
6. Solidarity
We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are
one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and
ideological differences. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity
means learning that “loving our neighbor” has global dimensions in an interdependent
world.
7. Care for God’s Creation
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation.
Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement
of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our
faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge
has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
Providing social services & knowing the social teaching of the
Church is an essential part of Catholic faith. Far too many
Catholics are not familiar with the basic content of Catholic social teaching.
We need to share the social mission and message of our Church to be true
to the demands of the Gospel.
Think about ways "how" you have responded to the voice of your neighbor
in need. Think about the motives "why" you responded in the way you
did. Fill in these blanks: “I was _______ and you
_______.” (cf. Matthew 25:31-46)
The following themes are motives "why" we respond to those in need.
Notice that they do not tell us exactly “how” to respond.
-
Life and dignity of the human person - All people are holy, made
in the image of God.
-
Call to family, community and participation - People are both holy
and social; when one suffers, we all suffer.
-
Rights and responsibilities - People have a basic right to life,
food, shelter, health care, education and work.
-
Option for the poor and vulnerable - The "Jesus" test of a community
(of society) is how it treats its neediest members.
-
Dignity of work and the rights of workers - Money, work and business
exist to serve people, not the other way around.
-
Solidarity - We want justice for all people.
-
Care for God's creation - The environment is God's sacred creation.
How does the Catholic Church come to take a particular position on a public
policy issue? The answer is a set of principles, a body of thought,
and a call to action known as Catholic social teaching. |
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A Series of Reflections
on ways to apply Catholic Social Teaching in our daily
decisions from individual members of our parish Peace
& Justice Committee is found here:
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2009-11-15,
on
Care for God's Creation.
2009-11-08
on
who-are-the-poor?
2009-09-06 on Social Teaching
2009-06-00
on Sustainable Technologies
2003-04-20 on Environment.
2002-12-25 on Poverty.
2002-12-08 on WAR.
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