Sociology 3

The Social Teachings of the

Church

I. INTRODUCTION
References

Compendium of the Social Doctrine

of the Church
DeBerri and Hug, et. al. Catholic
Social Teaching: Our Best Kept
Secret. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books,
2003
- social wisdom deeply
rooted in the Catholic
Tradition; they are based
on:
a)Scriptures
b)Traditions
c) Scholastic and
Christian philosophies
d) Contemporary
experience of people of
God struggling to live out
their faith in justice
The Social Mission of the Church
The Churchs Best Kept Secret

1) The documents are abstract, dry in

content and not very attractive to
pick up and read
The Churchs Best Kept Secret

2) The topics frequently are quite

challenging, dealing with
controversial issues and therefore
may disturb readers and make them
uncomfortable
 The Churchs Best Kept Secret

3) A Papal Encyclical is at least, in most

peoples minds are often immediately
associated with disputes, debates and
dissent over the Churchs position on
birth control
The Churchs Best Kept Secret

4) Authoritative statements
nowadays whether from church
or government have less
attraction than acts of authentic
OBJECT OF SOCIAL DOCTRINES

Critical reflection on:

The existing social structures
& collective action
The Social Mission of the Church
Nature of CST
The Catholic
Churchs
developed (and
developing) body
of teachings on
social, economic,
political, and
cultural matters.
http://www.clickexist.com/2013/03/28/the-only-thing-necessary-for-the-triumph-of-evil-is-for-good-men-to-do-nothing-edmund-burke/
The Social Mission of the Church

Why does the Church have

to speak on these matters?
The Social Mission of the Church

1) It is an integral part of the Churchs

evangelizing and spiritual mission
because we are following the own
example of Jesus (CSDC, 66)
The Social Mission of the Church

2) We are an incarnational Church

(CSDC, 60; GS, 1)
The Social Mission of the Church

3) We are
responding to the
questions posed
by humanity
reading the
signs of the
times (GS,
The Social Mission of the Church

4) Love of God is inseparable from

the love of neighbor (Justice in the
World, 34)
The Social Mission of the Church
1 John 4:20

(Matthew 25: 40)

Introductory Concepts:
Think before you act (Mater et
Magistra, nos. 236-241)

SEE-JUDGE-ACT METHOD
Introductory Concepts
Justice and Social Justice
First, what is Justice?
the virtue by which
we respect the inherent
rights of other and
render to them and to
God what is their due
in fairness and
uprightness (cf. CCC,
no. 1897)
Introductory Concepts
Social Justice
Based on the principle
that persons do not live
in isolation - social
beings living in a
community (MM, 219)
Since human beings
are social, justice
should extend to social
relationships.
Introductory Concepts
The two feet of SOCIAL JUSTICE:
JUSTICE & CHARITY
- Justice is the primary way to charity- if
we love others, then we must first of all be
just towards them. (Pope Benedict XVI)
Introductory Concepts
Our lives are our responsibility
Dignity of human
freedom
CCC, no. 1705, Gaudium et
Spes, no. 17, Sirach 15: 14
God created us as
rational beings with
freedom; freedom is an
inseparable part of our
dignity.
Introductory Concepts
Freedom makes
persons responsible
for their actions to the
extent that they are
voluntary (CCC, no. 1734)
It should be free
from undue
pressures and
influences
Introductory Concepts
In summary:
Think before you act
Justice is always better than
injustice
The demand of Justice is higher
than the demand of Charity
My life is my responsibility