In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. Nevertheless, this complexity can be summarized imperfectly in terms of seven key principles of Catholic social teaching. These teachings are derived from: the Gospels and the words of Christ; papal statements and encyclicals; and Catholic bishops’ statements and pastoral letters. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict. Life and Dignity of the Human Person (Spanish) The activities of the Wolfington Center are informed by the following principles of Catholic Social Teaching as articulated by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops. It is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor . No human being should have their dignity or freedom compromised. 1397). Every person--regardless of race, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, employment or economic status, health, intelligence, achievement or any other differentiating characteristic--is worthy of respect. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007), No. CST 101 is a collaborative 7-part video series about Catholic Social Teaching Principles, with accompanying discussion guides, posters and handouts, presented by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services on Catholic social teaching. Catechism of the Catholic Church (United States Catholic Conference, Inc., 1994), No. The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. The foundation and guiding principles for all our work is Catholic social teaching, a body of thought on social issues that has been developed by the Church over the past hundred years. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic Social Teaching Is Social Catholic social teaching is deeply concerned about fostering and preserving natural human relationships. Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. Catholic Social Teaching’s vision of a just society is grounded in biblical revelation, the teachings of the leaders of the early church, and in th… The notion of "social justice"--the term, by the way, coined by the Jesuit mentor of Pope Leo XIII, Luigi Taparelli (1793-1862), and based upon the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas--is "the justice that regulates social relationships according to the criterion of observance of the law." The Catholic Church has a wide-ranging and many-layered collection of teachings about social justice issues. Therefore, we who are made in God's image share this communal, social nature. On Fraternity and Social Friendship (Fratelli Tutti). The dignity of every person, independent of ethnicity, creed, gender, sexuality, age or ability, is the foundation of CST. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored. 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. United States Catholic Bishops, Brothers and Sisters to Us, 1979, No. This is the bedrock principle of Catholic social teaching. It is not what you do or what you have that gives you … 1935, quoting Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes, No. 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. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. 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 the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. 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. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. Call to Family, Community and Participation (Spanish) Poster for Adults in English and Spanish The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers (Spanish), Handout for Adults in English and Spanish 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. Since then, a Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and Racism. Life and Dignity of the Human Person The first social teaching proclaims the respect for human life, one of the most fundamental needs in a world distorted by greed and selfishness. As the term ‘social’ implies, these teachings do not only exist to serve your immediate family and friends, or just Catholics. Washington, D.C. More on Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers. It provides a vision for a just society in which the dignity of all people is recognised, and those who are vulnerable are cared for. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor. At the core of CST is the common good. 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. recovery of sight to the blind"(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with "the least of these," the hungry and the stranger (cf. For a general introduction to Catholic Social Teaching visit this page. Catholic social teaching is complex, linked with changing social conditions and deepening understandings of both the work of God in history and ethical principles. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Audio only: Questions Covered: 18:12 - What is the proper response for a Catholic … The economy must serve people, not the other way around. We believe in the triune God whose very nature is communal and social. Catholic Social Teaching is the body of Church doctrine that describes how Catholics are called to transform the world by proclaiming and living the Gospel. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Copyright 2005, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Without the family being at the core, these social institutions will erode and eventually break apart. We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. "Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith.". The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. 39. We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Care for God's Creation (Spanish) Ray East, and Joan Rosenhauer discuss the dignity of work and the rights of workers. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. For a copy of the complete text of Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (No. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. 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. . All our programs are people-centred with empowerment at their heart. Solidarity (Spanish) People do not lose dignity because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.” There is a close relationship in Catholic teaching between peace and justice. Catholic Social Teaching is the tradition of papal reflection about how we live this vocation for the common good in our world. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation. Modern Catholic social teaching is said to have originated in 1891 with the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum. The U.S. Catholic … It should include Catholic nonofficial social thinking (“CNOST”). God the Father sends his only Son Jesus Christ and shares the Holy Spirit as his gift of love. In this video, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Msgr. Download Share. People are never tre… A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity…. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. A full understanding can only be achieved by reading the papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents that make up this rich tradition. Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. In our relationship with God, we experience the conversion of heart that is necessary to truly love one another as God has loved us. 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. This summary should only be a starting point for those interested in Catholic social teaching. See, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Tools for Social Justice-Hispanic Ministry Collaboration, CST 101: The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers, Call to Family, Community and Participation, The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, Quotes from Pope Francis on Issues of Life, Dignity, Justice and Peace, Vocation of the Business Leader: A Reflection, Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, Superhero of Justice Activity for Elementary students, Reflections on the Joy of the Gospel for Those Serving in Ministry, Explore more inspirational selections here. Catholic Social Teaching is the Church’s best-kept secret not because the Church hides it, but because the way we have been taught to see keeps us from seeing what is, in fact, in plain view. Handout for Children in English and Spanish ISBN 1-57455-315-1. Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish) DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON All people are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. Human dignity comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment. Principles of Catholic social teaching. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. How it guides our work:Poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice make it impossible to live a life commensurate with this dignity. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. Our economics, politics, laws, policies, and social institutions must therefore defend marriage and the family. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. The Catholic Church has a history of social teaching that goes back centuries and provides a compelling challenge for living responsibly and building a just society. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. . liberty to captives . ©2020 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Experience the richness of your faith... visit our store, No video provider was found to handle the given URL. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. More on Life and Dignity of the Human Person. Modern Catholic Social Teaching, rooted in Scripture and articulated through a tradition of written documents, has evolved over time in response to the challenges of the day. Catholic social teaching applies Gospel values such as love, peace, justice, compassion, reconciliation, service and community to modern social problems. ©2020 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Experience the richness of your faith... visit our store, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Tools for Social Justice-Hispanic Ministry Collaboration, papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents, Call to Family, Community, and Participation, Explore more inspirational selections here. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition. 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. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - One of the foundational concepts of the Church's social doctrine is personhood. Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. It shines the light of the Gospel on the social justice issues that arise in the complex network of relationships in which we live. With human dignity at its centre, a holistic approach to development founded on the principles of CST, is what Pope Paul VI called ‘authentic development’. God reveals himself to us as one who is not alone, but rather as one who is relational, one who is Trinity. Is Catholic Social Teaching Marxist? 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… It is an essential part of the Catholic faith. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable (Spanish) Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Consideration of racism is grounded in fundamental scriptural beliefs: equal dignity of all people, created in God’s image; and Christ’s redemption of all. 1). Publication No. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, "To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren" (no. 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. 433. We are called to reach out and to build relationships of love and justice. First, Catholic social thought should not be restricted only to what is called Catholic social teaching (“CST”), which comes only from the popes and conferences of bishops. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. 1 Paul VI, For the Celebration of the Day Of Peace (Rome: January 1, 1972). by Fr. 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. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. Text is drawn from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (Washington, DC: USCCB, 1998) and Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2003). Catholic Social Teaching draws on experience because we believe that God continues to communicate with us through the people, places and events of human history. The person is not only sacred but also social. . Poster for Children in English and Spanish, Foundational Catholic Social Teaching Documents, Quotes from Pope Francis on Issues of Life, Dignity, Justice and Peace |  En Español, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, In the Footsteps of Jesus | En Español, Church Teaching on Environmental Stewardship, Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish, Resources and Tools from the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, Caritas in Veritate Study Materials and Session Guides, Vocation of the Business Leader: A Reflection, from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching (En Espanol), Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restorationatholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, Superhero of Justice Activity for Elementary students (from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Archdiocese of Baltimore), Reflections on the Joy of the Gospel for Those Serving in Ministry (from Catholic Charities USA), On Fraternity and Social Friendship (Fratelli Tutti). ---from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions. USCCB Communications Catholic Social Teaching addresses issues concerning matters like oppression, subsidiarity, social organisation, social justice, and wealth distribution. 5-315 Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. 29. Published July 25, 2008. This commitment arises from our experiences of Christ in the eucharist. The emphasis is on people over things, being over having. "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" (Reflections,p. Catholic Social Teaching sums up the teachings of the Church on issues of justice between groups in society, and with creation. Catholic social teaching emerges from the truth of what God has revealed to us about himself. There are many other thinkers, usually neglected, such as von Ketteler, Sturzo, and John A. Ryan. Nations must protect the right to life by … Religion. Mark Brumley • 7/15/2020. Catholic social teaching upholds that the person is sacred, but that the person is also social. Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching covers all spheres of life – the economic, political, personal and spiritual. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Mt 25:45). CST 101 is a 7-part video series by the USCCB and Catholic Relief Services on Catholic Social Teaching. Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity. What the author doesn't mention is that there is a new Catholic theology and it hasn't anything to do with salvation. Its roots are in the Hebrew prophets who announced God's special love for the poor and called God's people to a covenant of love and justice. They are to improve the lives of entire communities. . More on Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. All of Trócaire's work, in Ireland as well as overseas, is informed by Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity. 5-281) and other social teaching documents, call 800-235-8722. Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching (CST) offers a way of thinking, being and seeing the world. More on Call to Family, Community, and Participation. These teachings make use of reason, tradition and experience as well as Scripture to respond to social justice issues. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated by a variety of Church authorities. Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the official teaching of the Church on the social order, impacting on all dimensions of society, including the economic and the political. That is, the good of the community. Our commitment to the Catholic social mission must be rooted in and strengthened by our spiritual lives. Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore has inherent dignity. 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