CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT

Social Primer

CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT

Churchs Best Kept Secret

SOCIAL DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH

CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT

UNDERSTANDING & MISCONCEPTIONS

MISCONCEPTIONS
A ready made answer to technical problems It does not give or we cannot find solution in them Vagueness of approach

UNDERSTANDING
Pronouncements of implications of faith Religious, Moral Interpret Social Realities Does not claim to solve technical, structural problem Realization of Justice & Liberation Does not present an ideological society

SOURCES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL DOCTRINE

Natural Law Old Testament New Testament

SOURCES
Natural law:
God-given = no right to change Rules whereby creatures are governed by the Creator Derived moral obligations or duties Moral principles known by the intellect

SOURCES
Old Testament
Love of God and neighbor Release those in bondage Justice is a task of all AMOS denounced cheating MICAH & ISAIAH desist greediness

SOURCES
New Testament
Love of God, neighbor & enemies Compassion for needy Wealth? Life abundance Goods = for all Labor = right: to work, just wages Christian obligation = needs of others are satisfied

Social Doctrines

Rerum Novarum
P. Leo XIII Care for the Poor Rights of Workers Private Property Duties of Workers & Employers Return to Christian Morals Role of Public Authority

May 15, 1891

Quadragesimo Anno
Role of the Church Responsible Ownership Labor & Capital Public Authority Just Social Order Capitalism vs. Communism P. Pius XI

May 15, 1931

Mater et Magistra
P. John XXIII Just Remuneration Subsidiarity Agriculture Economic Development Role of the Church International Cooperation Social Relationships

May 15, 1961

Pacem in Terris
P. John XXIII Rights & Duties Role of Public Authorities Common Good Christian World Order International Relations Disarmament

April 11, 1963

Gaudium et Spes
II Vatican Council Human Dignity Common Good Signs of the Times Public Responsibility Respect of Families Right of Culture Justice & Development Peace

Dec. 7, 1965

Populorum Progressio
Human Aspirations P. Paul VI Structural Injustice Church & Development New Humanism Common Good Economic Planning International Trade Peace Mar. 26, 1967

Octogesima Adveniens
P. Paul VI

May 14, 1971

New Social Problems: Urbanization Aspirations & Ideas: Role of local Churches Duties of Individual Christians Christians New problems: greater justice Call to Action: responsibility

Justice in the World

Mandate of Justice Right to Development Justice as Christian Love Education of Justice International Action Statement of the Synod of Bishops

Nov. 30, 1971

Evangelii Nuntiandi
P. Paul VI Personal Conversion Church & Culture Justice & Liberation Universal & Individual Churches Gospel & NonChristians

Dec. 8, 1975

Laborem Exercens
Dignity of Work Capitalism & Socialism Property Unions Employment Spirituality of Work P. John Paul II

Sept. 14, 1981

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis

P. John Paul II Authentic Development North/South Gap East / West Bloc Solidarity Option of the Poor Structures of Sin Ecological Concerns

Dec. 30, 1987-88

The Church and Racism

Racism Pontifical Justice and Anti Semitism Peace Commission Human Dignity Solidarity Conscience Formation

September 1988 visit of PJPII South Africa (1989 released)

Redemptoris Missio
P. John Paul II Liberation Base Communities Local Churches Inculturation Poverty

1990 Released Jan. 22, 1991

Centesimus Annus
Human Dignity Human Rights Justice Development Peace Economic Systems P. John Paul II

May 15, 1991

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Chaired by Card.
Ratzinger Common Good Human Dignity Solidarity Love of the Poor Participation Peace

30th year of II Vat

Council 1992

Evangelium Vitae Gospel of Life

Conscience Formation Human Dignity and Life Abortion Euthanasia Death Penalty Conscientious Objection P. John Paul II

1995

Contribution to World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Pontifical Council
for Justice and Peace

2001

Racism Discrimination National Reconciliation Development Education Affirmative Action Freedom of Conscience

Familiarization of Social Teaching of the Church 1. Author, 1st Social Doctrine 2. 100th year anniversary of Rerum Novarum 3. Chair of Catechism of the Catholic Church 4. English title of Evangelium Vitae 5. The encyclical by Pope Pius XI 6. Five (5) titles with authors that are not mentioned above

Major Themes
1. Human Dignity 2. Rights and Duties 3. Solidarity 4. Community / Common Good 5. Subsidiarity 6. Preferential Option for the poor 7. Human Work 8. Stewardship of Creation

1. Human Dignity
Sacred Basis of moral vision Image & Likeness Love God & neighbor What will sustain? Love & Justice

2. Rights and Duties

Given to human beings by God
= inherent = not given by society

F. Rights = Basic Condition = social justice Protecting human dignity

3. Solidarity
A firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good ... because we are all really responsible for all."
Pope John Paul II Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 1988, no. 38.

Hunger

Suffer

Poverty vs. Wealth

Signs of the times Am I my brothers keeper

4. Community / Common Good

Sacred & Social Communal

The social nature of the human person is given in order to live and grow in community.
Human Dignity The betterment of the person and the improvement of society depend on each other
Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes -

5. Subsidiarity
State has a positive moral/function
As an instrument: promote human dignity protect human rights build the common good assist citizens

6. Preferential Option for the Poor

Special attention: widows, orphans, aliens Followers of Jesus must care for the poor in special way A necessary element of the common good

People serves Economy Economy serves People People = important than capital Workers have rights Right to economic initiative and private property

7. Human Work

limitations

8. Stewardship of Creation
Book of Genesis The goods of the earth are gifts from God. Not ultimate owner Entrust w/caring Not for ourselves For future generations

Social Teaching of the Church

End