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Principles of Catholic Social Teaching Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Common Good and Community Principle Preferential of Option Subsidiarity For the Poor Dignity of Economic Rights the Human and Justice Person Responsibility All Justice is rooted in the dignity of the human person. Our Stewardship dignity comes from Global God and not from of God’s Solidarity human and Creation accomplishments or Development attributes! 1. Dignity of the Human Person 2. Common Good and Community 3. Option for the Poor 4. Rights and Responsibilities At the core of all Catholic moral The common good comprises of "the How do we treat those members of There is a reciprocal relationship and social teaching is the sum total of social conditions which our society that are most vulnerable between rights and responsibilities; development and understanding allow people, either as groups or as – people who are poor, weak, each right has corresponding of a healthy anthropology rooted individuals, to reach their fulfillment marginalized, the sick? Jesus invites responsibilities. Human rights must in scripture and Catholic faith more easily" (CCC 1906). The goods of us to follow his example – to stand be guaranteed if human dignity is teaching. The inherent dignity of the world are for all and these gifts are on the side of the poor. This option going to be promoted and protected. the human person which comes to be shared rather than possessed. for the poor is so essential that we The right to life and a right to those from God and the right to have While there are benefits to private often refer to it as the ‘fundamental’ things required for human decency that dignity respected from ownership, Private property does not and ‘preferential’ option for the poor. (i.e. basic needs just employment) conception to natural death is core constitute for anyone an absolute and When expressed in a healthy manner are fundamental to the welfare of to the Gospel. Human life is unconditional right. No one is justified this option affects all our words and each person and thus to the health of sacred, for each person is made in in keeping for their exclusive use what actions so that they favour the poor. the community. the image of God. This principle is they do not need, when others lack the starting point for a moral necessities (cf. Populorum Progessio, When we practice this option for the This principle teaches us that we are vision for society. no. 23). Each of us has a responsibility poor we acknowledge that the to both serve and be served by the to contribute the common good. (Cf. dignity of all, especially those affect y institutions of the world and that we CCC 1924-25) poverty, must be promoted. At the are responsible for each other. same time, we are saying that we are all brothers and sisters and we are ‘our brothers and sisters keepers’! Poverty not only hurts its victims but also the whole community. • Catechism 1701-1706; 1929- • Catechism 1878-1882; 1905-1912 • Catechism 2443-2349 • Catechism 1913-1917 1933 We Believe: We Believe: We Believe: We Believe: • that the Divine Image is • that we are called to live in community • that God has called us to serve the • that we have been present in each and every • we are called to love God, love neighbour and needs of those who are poor blessed by God with person work for peace • that when we serve those who are innate dignity • that I am truly myself, • that by nature we need to live in community affected by poverty, those who • being made in God`s reflecting the Divine Image, • we develop our human potential when we are marginalized, those who are image we are blessed when I am living and serve others and through dialogue lost, we serve Jesus with inalienable rights; contributing to the community • that we are most fully alive in community – we • that when we serve those who are these rights are integral • that all life, from the moment are spiritual beings and we are also social lost, marginalized, lost we become to our human nature of conception to the moment beings truly who we are called to be • that the right to life is a of natural death, has value • our actions, choices and words affect others • that as members of the church we right of all people from and should be protected • we are interdependent truly live the Gospel when we care the moment of concept • that God has willed each of us • promotion and protection of one’s dignity can for God’s dear ones to natural death for our God’s own sake only be done while promoting and protecting • poverty has many forms (material, • that we have a right to • that we should avoid the all people’s innate human dignity religious/spiritual, social, cultural) those things required for temptation of categorizing • that we are called to take care of each other • that our possessions belong to all human decency and individuals according to the and to provide for each other’s needs people human living (basic concerns in their lives • the common good calls us to respect each and • that the demands of justice must needs, jobs, education, • that reason and free will is an every person be enjoyed by all etc.) expression of the Divine Image • the inalienable rights of each person is to be • that we are called ensure that • that with every right and that each of us is called to respected by all people and public authorities justice is not replaced by charity comes responsibilities use the gift of free will • we are called to work for peace, stability and • that social action has two feet – • we have responsibilities responsibly security charity and social action to each person, to family • each of us is a body-soul unity • each group is called to develop its social well- • we are called to feed the hungry, and all of society • that the voice of God can be being and the development of the group itself sheltering the homeless, clothing • that we are called to discerned using reason and • as a human family, it is our responsibility to the naked, visiting the sick and both serve and be served faith provide for the different needs of all people imprisoned, and bury the dead by the institutions of the • that the voice of God urges (food, hygiene, education, alleviating the • that we are called to have a love world each of us to do what is good miseries of people who have become refugees that prefers those who are • we are responsible for and avoid evil dispersed throughout the world, and assisting oppressed by poverty each other – we are our • that we are obligated to those who are migrants and their families) • the goods of the earth are to brother` and sisters` follow this voice of God – • the common good is always oriented towards serve the needs of all people keeper which is heard in our the progress of persons • we are responsible for conscience ensuring the rights of others are fulfilled Reflection Questions: Reflection Questions: Reflection Questions: Reflection Questions: • Do I understand that life • Do I see myself as an important, • How do I ensure that I am ready • Am I ready to stand up for the begins at conception? contributing member of different to serve those who are poor? rights of all people? • Do I understand that human communities (family, church, • How do I, and the communities I • Can I distinguish between rights dignity comes from God and school, work, neighbourhood, belong to, participate in the and desires? not from human etc.)? corporal works of mercy (feeding • Who am I responsible for? accomplishments or • Who is my neighbour? the hungry, sheltering the • Am I taking care of myself and attributes? • Do I respect others? homeless, clothing the naked, others? • Do I understand that each • How might I move beyond visiting the sick and imprisoned, • When I think of my rights, am I person has certain rights that indifference to concern for others? and burying the dead)? ready to name my flow from his/her dignity? • Do I think of my words, actions, and • “You shall not steal” – This responsibilities? • Do I understand that human attitudes affect others? commandment asks me to be a • Is my ability to respond rights are accompanied by • Do I invite others to share their person of justice and charity. (responsibility) informed and responsibilities? gifts? How do my habits prohibit or formed by love, faith, and hope? • Do I feel called to love God • Do I put people first? encourage me to be a person of • Do I understand that each and neighbour? • How do I address the needs of justice? person has the right to life and to • Through my words and others? • Do I see that the fruits of the decent human living (, to food, actions, do I bear witness to • How do I respect the dignity of earth and the fruits of our labour clothing, health care, education the dignity of each person? others while respecting the dignity are to be enjoyed by all? and employment, etc.)? • Do I see all people as my of my own God given dignity? • Do my shopping habits consider • With which institutions am I neighbour? • Do I see the value and the limits of practices of fair trade, the rights involved? • Do I see each person as ‘my private ownership? Do I of the workers, fair wages, etc.? • What are practical and other self’? understand that private property is • Do I respond in great love to theoretical mission statements • Do I guard myself from not an absolute and unconditional those who are poor, of the institutions to which I prejudices, selfishness, greed right? marginalized and/or lost? belong? and pride? • How do I contribute to the common • Do I prefer to respond the needs • What responsibilities do I have to • Do I understand, that God has good? of those who are poor? my neighbour, my family, to self, given me the ability to • Do I promote peace and social • Are my/our habits, attitudes, to work, to God? respond (responsibility) in development? policies, and procedures • Do I exercise my rights and love? addressing the needs of those responsibilities to the society • How do I form and inform my who are poor? (e.g.
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