Catholic Social Teachings

• Catholic Social Teachings


  The moral teachings of the Church

  A summary of the teachings on social justice issues

  
• Human Dignity


  Every human is created in the image of God and is redeemed by Jesus Christ and is therefore invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family

  
• Principals of Human Dignity


  Each person possesses a basic dignity that comes from God, not from race or gender, age or economic status

  The test of every institution or policy is whether it enhances or threatens human life and human dignity

  We believe people are more important than things/possessions

  
• Obstacles to Human Dignity

  Poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice make it impossible to live a life worthy of this dignity
• The Common Good


  The special conditions that allow people to reach their full human potential and to realise their human dignity

  
• Principals of the Common Good

  People have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, education, health care and employment

  All people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives

  Any denial of these rights harms the persons and wounds the community

  
• Scripture link to the Common Good

  "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for

  this the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew

  
• Subsidiarity


  All people have a right to participate in decisions and activities that affect their lives

  
• Principles of subsidiarity


  Decision making must occur at the lowest level possible by the people most affected by the decisions and activities

  When the needs in question cannot adequately be met at the lower level, then it is not into necessary, but imperative, that higher levels of government intervene

  
• Solidarity


  Standing 'with' others

  
• Principles of Solidarity


  We are one human family regardless of ethnic, cultural, religious or political differences

  Love of thy neighbour has local and global implications

  Solidarity helps us to recognise that we are all interdependent and what affects one of us affects us all, both nearby and far away

  
• Scripture link to Solidarity


  "There neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus"
• Preferential Opinion for the Poor


  We take up the cause of the poor as our own, to serve those most in need
• Applications of Preferential Option for the Poor

  Working with communities who experience poverty, injustice, hunger and oppression regardless of their political, religious or cultural beliefs
• Scripture link to Preferential Option for the Poor


  "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life." - Proverbs
• Participation


  Everyone has a right and a duty to participate in society

  Everyone has the right to participate in those institutions necessary for human fulfilment, such as work, education and political participation
• Applications of Participation


  Ensuring men and women participate in their community development and decision-making activities recognising that all people are the architects of their own process
• Stewardship of Creation


  We have a duty to care for the earth's resources responsibly, as stewards rather than consumers
• Applications of Stewardship of Creation

  Working for the integrity of creation in ways which assist the world's poorest communities to have access to a greater share of the earth's resources, encourage environmental sustainability and equity and respect for the environment
• Scripture link to Stewardship of Creation

  "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into

  the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it" - Genesis