Solidarity
Subsidiarity
Unlocking Catholic
Social Teaching
“The social message of the gospel must not be considered a theory, but above all else a basis and a motivation for action.”
Pope St. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 57
Neither Left Nor Right
Human Dignity
The Common Good
“How then should we live?”
– Tolstoy, 1882
“By her social doctrine the Church makes an effective contribution…
Her moral vision in this area ‘rests on the threefold cornerstone of human dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity’.”
We Must Address Today’s Ills
It is our special task to order and throw light upon all the affairs of the world in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ: “let the laity also by their combined efforts remedy the customs and conditions of the world.”
Catholic Social Teaching is Neither Conservative Or Liberal
Just as “Christian charitable activity must be independent of parties and ideologies” (Pope Benedict XVI, 31) it must be reiterated and acknowledged that Catholic social teaching is not an endorsement of or for any political teaching. The Church is clear that none of the magisterial documents are teachings to or for the right or the left. Catholic social teaching is neither liberal nor conservative.
However, there are warnings to both sides of the political spectrum.
Social Justice
It’s Not What You Think
The practice of Catholic social teaching recognizes that, in charity, we have a binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social structures. “Decisions which create a human environment can give rise to specific structures of sin which impede the full realization of those who are in any way oppressed by them”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)
So, What is social justice?
Clothing runs, food drives, home building projects are corporal works of mercy, not social justice. Social justice, which is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority, results when “associations or individuals…obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928)
This correct understanding of social justice was made clear by Pope Francis when he observed: “the duty of social justice… requires the realignment of relationships between stronger and weaker peoples in terms of greater fairness”; (World Day of Peace, 2014) it “upholds the fundamental human right to a dignified life”. (Meeting with Political, Economic, and Civil Leaders in Paraguay)
A hindrance thwarting both the knowledge and practice of Catholic social teaching is the confusion caused by diocesan, parish and university student programs and projects labeled ‘social justice’ — but which are often endeavors of corporal works of mercy.
Why does this matter?
By labeling projects to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless “social justice” we inhibit our ability to distinguish between corporal works of mercy and the practice of Catholic social teaching thus obscuring our recognition that, in charity, we have a similarly binding requirement to confront improper and even sinful social structures – the domain of Catholic social teaching.
What Is The Practical Purpose of Catholic Social Teaching?
To achieve the common good
The common good is the sum total of social conditions which allow people to reach their fulfillment.
It is the result of applying the three principles to governments and economic systems.
What Must I Do?
Our Church Has Issued a Clear Call to Action
Pope St. John Paul II
“A new state of affairs today… calls with a particular urgency for the action of the lay faithful. If lack of commitment is always unacceptable, the present time renders it even more so. It is not permissible for anyone to remain idle.”
Pope Benedict XVI
“Freedom…demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate.”
Pope Francis
Participation in politics is a Christian obligation: “We must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics…”
“Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy.
It is a moral obligation. For Christians, the responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.”
Do you Know the Three Principles of Catholic Social Teaching?
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