CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING:
AN OVERVIEW
WHAT IS Catholic Social
Teaching?
It is the Church's reflection on
human beings in society. It grows and
develops over time to respond to the problems of every age.
Where does Catholic Social
Teaching COME FROM?
From Scripture
From moral reasoning
From the writings of Popes and Bishops.
What is the METHOD of
Catholic Social Teaching?
It begins with God and
recognizes:
God acts in history
God is present in all reality.
God's revelation is ongoing
It names the conditions which
have an impact on persons
It reads the signs of the times (Globalization,e.g.)
It looks at the realities of the
world through the eyes of faith.
(Death penalty, e.g.)
It dialogues with social,
political, economic and cultural questions.
It raises moral and ethical questions.
It focuses on the person in
society.
It defends the dignity and worth
of the persons because they are made in the image
of God. (Immigrants)
It asks about the direction of
"progress" and asks who benefits or suffers. (Extremes
of wealth and poverty)
It strives to form the
Christian community
It acts as a call to awareness,
discernment and action as a Christian in the world.
It aims to form consciences.
It stresses the Gospel call to love of God, neighbor, the earth and self.
It tries to break through blindness to the preferential option for the
poor.
It calls for a response that
will lead to transformative action.
It presents principles. It does
not offer a complete model.
It aims to work in union with all people of good will for a better world
for humankind.
It recognizes that this process is ongoing
Adapted from Education for Justice.
www.educationforjustice.org
.
To provide education informed by the social teaching of the Church, so
that parishioners may become more aware of the injustices both in our
local community and throughout the world, and
