Half-yearly

• Sanctity


  The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or morally pure
• Stewards


  People who are responsible for taking care of something or managing its resources
• One of the key themes in Catholic social tradition

  • The belief in the sanctity of human life and the recognition of the dignity of every human person
  • The call to foster family, community, and participation
  • The affirmation of the dignity of work and the rights of workers
• Key principles of Catholic Social Teachings

  • Sanctity of Human Life and Dignity of Every Person
  • Call to Family, Community, and Participation
  • Rights and Responsibilities
  • Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
  • The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
  • Solidarity
  • Care for God's Creation
• Sanctity of Human Life and Dignity of Every Person

  Fundamental Belief: Every human life is sacred and possesses inherent dignity
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation

  • Social Nature: Humans are social beings; family and community are central to human dignity
  • Participation: Individuals have a right and duty to engage in society, contributing to the common good
  • Support: Marriage and family should be supported and strengthened as key social institutions
• Rights and Responsibilities


  • Human Rights: Essential for protecting human dignity and achieving a healthy community
  • Basic Necessities: Fundamental rights include the right to life, food, shelter, education, and employment
  • Duties: Responsibilities to one another, families, and society to uphold these rights
• Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

  • Moral Test: Society's integrity is measured by its treatment of its most vulnerable members
  • Priority: Prioritising the needs of the poor and vulnerable ensures justice and equity
• The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

  • Work's Value: Work is a form of participating in God's creation and is fundamental to human dignity
  • Workers' Rights: Protection of rights, fair wages, safe conditions, and the right to organise
  • "Fight for $15" movement aims to raise the minimum wage to a livable level
• Solidarity


  • Unity: All humans are part of one family, regardless of differences in nationality, race, or economic status
  • Global Responsibility: Duty to care for each other across the globe, promoting justice and peace
  • Peacemaking: Commitment to justice is essential for achieving lasting peace
• Care for God's Creation

  • Stewardship: Respect for the Creator is shown by caring for creation
  • Environmental Responsibility: Protecting the planet and ensuring sustainable use of resources
  • Ethical Dimension: Environmental issues have moral and ethical implications that demand action
• The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy

  • Feed the Hungry
  • Give Drink to the Thirsty
  • Clothe the Naked
  • Shelter the Homeless
  • Visit the Sick
  • Visit the Imprisoned
  • Bury the Dead
• Matthew 25:35-36: 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
• James 2:15-16: 'If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?'
• Caring for Our Common Home & Stewardship of Creation

  • Responsibility as God's children to care for Earth
  • Earth is a gift from God, reflecting His love and effort
  • God's creation deemed "good"; hence, it must be protected
  • CST urges collective responsibility to preserve the environment
• The Common Good


  • Treat the Earth with respect and care
  • Ensuring a fair and healthy world for future generations
  • Addressing environmental injustices collectively
  • Purpose of humanity to follow God's will and path to righteousness
  • Working for the common good means: Serving others, Serving the Earth
• Environmental Rights


  • Everyone has the right to see the Earth in its natural, undamaged form
  • Destruction and deterioration violate this right
  • Participation in society should consider the welfare of future generations
  • Applying the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31) to environmental actions ensures consideration for future generations
• Dignity of the Human Person

  • Every person is made in God's image, indicating inherent dignity and sacredness of life regardless of circumstances
  • Homelessness deprives people of their fundamental rights
• Preferential Option for the Poor

  • Prioritising the well-being of the poor and powerless in society
  • Emphasises following in the footsteps of the Lord by prioritising the poor
• 1 Samuel 2:8: 'He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.'
• Matthew 5:3: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'
• Responsibility in decision-making


  • Responsibility plays a fundamental role as it encompasses accountability for the consequences of our actions or choices
  • Individuals bear the responsibility to carefully consider the potential outcomes and impacts of their choices
  • By acknowledging and accepting this responsibility, individuals are compelled to make decisions that are informed, ethical, and aligned with their values and obligations
• Moral decision vs personal decision

  Personal decisions are centred around individual wants and needs, moral decisions reflect a deeper consideration of ethical principles and the broader implications for both oneself and others within the community or society
• Catholic Social Teaching (CST)


  • CST are writings by Popes and other Catholic leaders, often encyclicals, about social issues that affect society
  • They can help address issues such as: Hunger, Poverty, Conflict, Environment, workers rights, Migration, Trade
• Oppressed workers demanded justice, the Pope stated "The State should watch over these societies of citizens banded together in accordance with their rights"


  1891
• Pope in 1891


  Pope Leo XIII
• Stages of Moral Development

  • Pre-conventional
  • Conventional
  • Post-conventional
• Pre-conventional stage


  • Morality is determined by the mere power of outside authority
  • Individuals follow the rules to avoid punishment or gain rewards without considering the underlying ethical principles
  • Characterised by a self-interest first perspective
• Conventional stage


  • Individuals focus on the expectations of others in terms of what is right and wrong
  • Moral reasoning is primarily based on external ethics
  • Characterised by a desire to follow rules and please authority figures
• Post-conventional stage


  • Personal ethics and human rights come into play
  • Individuals are able to think beyond societal norms and laws, and instead focus on universal ethical principles
  • More likely to consider the consequences of their actions on a broader scale, rather than just personal gain
• Obstacles that affect a person's decision making

  • Parents
  • Friends
  • Schooling/education
  • Drugs
  • Influence of media
  • Mental health
• Cognitive capacity


  • Limits ability to think through and plan decisions
  • Rash, poorly thought-out decisions with harmful consequences
• God and his relationship with his people in the Old Testament

  • Mentor and Guide: God is seen as a mentor, guide, and protector for His people
  • Correct Worship: God calls people to the correct worship of the one true God
  • Ritual Purity: Emphasises the importance of maintaining ritual purity
  • Sexual Morality: Highlights the need for sexual morality
  • Just Behaviour: Advocates for just behaviour in society
  • Contextual Understanding: God ensures people understand and adhere to His teachings in their context
  • Survival and Flourishing: God's guidance ensures the survival and success of humanity, keeping them on the righteous path
• Social Justice and Covenants in the Old Testament

  • Noah: Building the Ark to save animals from the flood, highlighting the importance of caring for all living beings
  • Spreading Righteousness: Warned others about impending judgement, promoting justice
• Decisions under stress leading to negative outcomes
• God's relationship with his people in the Old Testament

  • Mentor and Guide
  • Correct Worship
  • Ritual Purity
  • Sexual Morality
  • Just Behaviour
  • Contextual Understanding
  • Survival and Flourishing
• Social Justice and Covenants in the Old Testament

  • Noah
  • Moses
  • Abraham
  • Amos
  • Micah
• Synoptic Gospels


  The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which describe events from a similar point of view, as contrasted with that of John
• The Canaanite Woman's Faith

  1. Jesus travels to the district of Tyre and Sidon

  2. A Canaanite woman cries out for mercy

  3. Jesus initially ignores her

  4. The woman persists

  5. Jesus is impressed by her faith and heals her daughter
• Jesus Cures Many People

  1. Jesus travels to the Sea of Galilee

  2. He cures the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others

  3. The crowd glorifies the God of Israel