Catholic Social Teaching

…an effort by the pastoral teachers of the church to articulate what the broader social tradition means in the era of modern economics, politics and culture.

A Key to Catholic IdentityA Key to Catholic Identity

The central message is simple: our faith The central message is simple: our faith is profoundly social. We cannot be called is profoundly social. We cannot be called truly “Catholic” unless we hear and heed truly “Catholic” unless we hear and heed the Church's call to serve those in need the Church's call to serve those in need and work for justice and peace. and work for justice and peace.

Communities of Salt and Light, U.S. Bishops, 1993Communities of Salt and Light, U.S. Bishops, 1993

OutlineOutline What is Social Justice?What is Social Justice? What does the Bible teach about What does the Bible teach about

social justice?social justice? Why is social justice important?Why is social justice important? What are the major contemporary What are the major contemporary

issues of social justice?issues of social justice?

What exactly is social What exactly is social justice?justice?

Individual IndividualCommutative (Contractual)

Distrib

utive

Contributive

SocietySociety

What does the Bible say What does the Bible say about social justice?about social justice?

Biblical themes of justiceBiblical themes of justice Creation – man is given dominionCreation – man is given dominion

Covenant relationship – God Covenant relationship – God establishes freedom and justice for establishes freedom and justice for His peopleHis people

Community – we are socialCommunity – we are social

Biblical themes of justiceBiblical themes of justice

Anawim -- "the widows, orphans and aliens”Anawim -- "the widows, orphans and aliens” "Is not this the fast that I choose: … "Is not this the fast that I choose: … 77 Is it not to Is it not to

share your bread with the hungry, and bring the share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him…naked, to cover him…- Isa 58:6-7 - Isa 58:6-7

The example of Jesus – the reign of God, the The example of Jesus – the reign of God, the healing of the peoplehealing of the people 1 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all Now the tax collectors and sinners were all

drawing near to hear him. drawing near to hear him. 2 2 And the Pharisees and And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." sinners and eats with them." - Luke 15:1-3- Luke 15:1-3

Community,State of Blessing

Become Owners

Forget thePoor

ForgetYahweh

Create Other Gods

SelfDestruction

Prophets:The Poor

Kill theProphets

Cry out forDeliverance

Restoration

Cycle of BaalCycle of Baal

Why is the idea of social Why is the idea of social justice important to me?justice important to me?

Both and … not Either orBoth and … not Either or

This split between the faith which many profess This split between the faith which many profess and their daily lives deserves to be counted among and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age.the more serious errors of our age. - Vatican II- Vatican II

Long since, the Prophets of the Old Testament Long since, the Prophets of the Old Testament fought vehemently against this scandal and even fought vehemently against this scandal and even more so did Jesus Christ Himself in the New more so did Jesus Christ Himself in the New Testament threaten it with grave punishments.Testament threaten it with grave punishments. - - Vatican IIVatican II

To be Christian one must both have personal piety To be Christian one must both have personal piety (love of God) and work for the good of his neighbor (love of God) and work for the good of his neighbor (love of neighbor)(love of neighbor)

Contemporary Issues of Contemporary Issues of Social JusticeSocial Justice

1891 Rerum Novarum Leo XIII1931 Quadragesimo Anno Pius XI1961 Mother and Teacher John XXIII1963 Peace on Earth John XXIII1965 Church in the Modern World Vatican II1967 The Development of Peoples Paul VI1971 A Call to Action Paul VI1971 Justice in the World Synod of Bishops1979 Redeemer of Humanity John Paul II1981 On Human Work John Paul II1988 On Social Concern John Paul II1991 The One Hundredth Year John Paul II1995 The Gospel of Life John Paul II2009 Charity in Truth Benedict XI

Modern Catholic Social TeachingModern Catholic Social Teaching

Major Themes from Catholic Social TeachingMajor Themes from Catholic Social Teaching

1.1. Human dignityHuman dignity AbortionAbortion EuthanasiaEuthanasia

2.2. Rights and DutiesRights and Duties3.3. Option for the poorOption for the poor

Does this mean welfare?Does this mean welfare?4.4. Stewardship of CreationStewardship of Creation

Stewardship vs. EnvironmentalismStewardship vs. Environmentalism5.5. Role of GovernmentRole of Government

Subsidiarity and SolidaritySubsidiarity and Solidarity Individualist and Collectivist errorsIndividualist and Collectivist errors CapitalismCapitalism

6.6. Promotion of PeacePromotion of Peace Just War TheoryJust War Theory

Human DignityHuman DignityThe human person is the The human person is the

fundamentalfundamental and and foundationalfoundational concern of the social teaching of concern of the social teaching of

the Church.the Church.

Human DignityHuman Dignity

The person is sacred, made in The person is sacred, made in the image of God.the image of God.

A corollary to the claim that A corollary to the claim that human beings are creatures human beings are creatures made in the image of a made in the image of a Trinitarian God is that people are Trinitarian God is that people are created for love. We exist for the created for love. We exist for the purpose of entering into the purpose of entering into the experience of loving communionexperience of loving communion..

AbortionAbortion The first right is the right to lifeThe first right is the right to life

50 million babies killed since Roe v 50 million babies killed since Roe v Wade became the lawWade became the law

This is the most pressing social This is the most pressing social injustice of our dayinjustice of our day

EuthanasiaEuthanasia The right to life is not only for those The right to life is not only for those

who are useful to societywho are useful to society

No person has a right to take his own No person has a right to take his own lifelife

Human suffering has become Human suffering has become redemptive because of the crossredemptive because of the cross

Rights and DutiesRights and DutiesRights are bestowed on human beings Rights are bestowed on human beings by God and grounded in the nature and by God and grounded in the nature and

dignity of the person. They are not dignity of the person. They are not created by society, but rather, are created by society, but rather, are

inherent in the very nature of every inherent in the very nature of every person.person.

RightsRights Civil / politicalCivil / political

Freedom of speech, freedom of Freedom of speech, freedom of assemblyassembly

These rights are a form of immunity These rights are a form of immunity from unjust interferencefrom unjust interference

Economic / socialEconomic / social Basic material necessities that are Basic material necessities that are

required to live a decent liferequired to live a decent life Life, food, clothing, shelterLife, food, clothing, shelter

DutiesDuties People have a right to adequate People have a right to adequate

employment, but they also have a duty employment, but they also have a duty to work and a responsibility to provide to work and a responsibility to provide adequate income for their families.adequate income for their families.

The Catholic tradition insists that both The Catholic tradition insists that both personal personal andand social responsibilities are social responsibilities are necessarynecessary

Option for the PoorOption for the PoorRemember the “widows, Remember the “widows,

orphans, and aliens.”orphans, and aliens.”

Option for the PoorOption for the Poor The "preference" or "option" for the poor, The "preference" or "option" for the poor,

then, gives Catholics a certain angle of vision, then, gives Catholics a certain angle of vision, a way of looking at society that has a bias in a way of looking at society that has a bias in favor of the weak and powerless. It is a favor of the weak and powerless. It is a perspective that examines personal decisions, perspective that examines personal decisions, policies of private and public bodies, and policies of private and public bodies, and power relationships in terms of their effects on power relationships in terms of their effects on the poor.the poor.

This “preference” is a necessary element of This “preference” is a necessary element of the common good.the common good.

Does this mean welfare?Does this mean welfare?Yes and No.Yes and No.

Help those who are truly powerless.Help those who are truly powerless.

For you always have the poor with you…For you always have the poor with you…- Matt 26:11 - Matt 26:11

……If any one will not work, let him not eat.If any one will not work, let him not eat.- 2 Thess 3:10- 2 Thess 3:10

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and eats for a lifetime.Teach a man to fish and eats for a lifetime.

Stewardship of Stewardship of CreationCreation

The goods of the earth are The goods of the earth are gifts. gifts.

We hold them in trust, as We hold them in trust, as stewards.stewards.

Stewardship vs. EnvironmentalismStewardship vs. Environmentalism The Dominion of man over nature

maintains the proper order of nature and more closely resembles stewardship and conservation than environmentalism

Environmentalism is a disordered tendency that seeks to elevate the earth and all of nature above man (i.e. worship of creation instead of the Creator)

The Role of GovernmentThe Role of GovernmentThe state has a positive moral function. The state has a positive moral function.

It is an instrument to promote human It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and dignity, protect human rights, and

build the common good.build the common good.

What Political Systems does the What Political Systems does the Church endorse?Church endorse?

The Catholic Church does not put forward The Catholic Church does not put forward any form of government as the only one to any form of government as the only one to be usedbe used

We might see human rights as providing the We might see human rights as providing the

framework within which societies must framework within which societies must operate. This framework does not operate. This framework does not determine the specifics of social determine the specifics of social organization and practice but it does set the organization and practice but it does set the limits within which a good society functions. limits within which a good society functions.

Subsidiarity and Subsidiarity and SolidaritySolidarity

The guiding principles for a The guiding principles for a just governmentjust government

SubsidiaritySubsidiarity

One should seek assistance at One should seek assistance at the closest level to the agent or the closest level to the agent or agency in need.agency in need.

““No bigger than necessary, no No bigger than necessary, no smaller than appropriate."smaller than appropriate."

SolidaritySolidarity As a virtue, solidarity, in the words of John As a virtue, solidarity, in the words of John

Paul II, is not a feeling of vague compassion Paul II, is not a feeling of vague compassion but a “firm and persevering determination to but a “firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good” commit oneself to the common good” - - Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, #38Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, #38

It is solidarity that enables people to devote It is solidarity that enables people to devote themselves “to the good of all and of each themselves “to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really individual, because we are all really responsible for all”.responsible for all”. - - Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, #38Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, #38

Individualist ErrorsIndividualist Errors Libertarianism champions laissez-faire Libertarianism champions laissez-faire

free market capitalism, minimal state free market capitalism, minimal state activity in public life and personal activity in public life and personal liberty in cultural matters. liberty in cultural matters.

This theory is individualistic in the This theory is individualistic in the extreme and promotes the liberty of extreme and promotes the liberty of the individual to the detriment of the the individual to the detriment of the common good.common good.

Collectivist ErrorsCollectivist Errors Socialists opposed laissez-faire capitalism and Socialists opposed laissez-faire capitalism and

encourage state intervention, even control, of the encourage state intervention, even control, of the economy. economy.

Personal liberties are to be overridden in the Personal liberties are to be overridden in the name of the good of society. name of the good of society.

Socialism is antithetical to religion due to its Socialism is antithetical to religion due to its materialism.materialism.

Family and other social groups are overwhelmed Family and other social groups are overwhelmed since it is collectivist in the way it relates the since it is collectivist in the way it relates the individual to the state.individual to the state.

The Truth is in the MiddleThe Truth is in the Middle

The Catholic social teaching has been The Catholic social teaching has been generally understood as more generally understood as more attentive to issues of community than attentive to issues of community than libertarianism allows while not ignoring libertarianism allows while not ignoring the values of personal freedom as it the values of personal freedom as it charges socialism does. So one might charges socialism does. So one might see Catholic social teaching as a see Catholic social teaching as a tradition that tries to strike a balance tradition that tries to strike a balance between two faulty extremes. between two faulty extremes.

The Role of Government The Role of Government & Economies& Economies

Is capitalism a legitimate Is capitalism a legitimate economic model?economic model?

Proper CapitalismProper Capitalism

"If by capitalism is meant an economic "If by capitalism is meant an economic system which recognizes the fundamental system which recognizes the fundamental and positive role of business, the market, and positive role of business, the market, private property and the resulting private property and the resulting responsibility for the means of production, responsibility for the means of production, as well as free human creativity in the as well as free human creativity in the economic sector, then the answer is economic sector, then the answer is certainly in the affirmative..." certainly in the affirmative..."

- John Paul II Centesimus Annus, - John Paul II Centesimus Annus, #42#42

False CapitalismFalse Capitalism "But if by capitalism is meant a system in which "But if by capitalism is meant a system in which

freedom in the economic sector is not circumscribed freedom in the economic sector is not circumscribed within a strong juridical framework which places it at within a strong juridical framework which places it at the service of human freedom in its totality, and the service of human freedom in its totality, and which sees it as a particular aspect of that freedom, which sees it as a particular aspect of that freedom, the core of which is ethical and religious, then the the core of which is ethical and religious, then the reply is certainly negative"reply is certainly negative" (Ibid.). (Ibid.).

John Paul is wary of a capitalism which exalts John Paul is wary of a capitalism which exalts freedom to the extent that justice, rights, the freedom to the extent that justice, rights, the common good and human dignity are sacrificed. A common good and human dignity are sacrificed. A false capitalism takes one part of human freedom, false capitalism takes one part of human freedom, economic liberty, and makes of it the whole story.economic liberty, and makes of it the whole story.

Balanced CapitalismBalanced Capitalism

Perhaps a fair summary of the Perhaps a fair summary of the position of Catholic social teaching position of Catholic social teaching on capitalism is that it gets a on capitalism is that it gets a conditional approval; it is not conditional approval; it is not inherently wrong but false renderings inherently wrong but false renderings of capitalist economics must be of capitalist economics must be opposed.opposed.

Promotion of PeacePromotion of Peace““If you want peace, work for If you want peace, work for

justice.”justice.”Pope Paul VI, 1972, World Day of Peace Pope Paul VI, 1972, World Day of Peace

MessageMessage

Promotion of PeacePromotion of Peace Peace is not just the absence of war.Peace is not just the absence of war. - -

Vatican II, Vatican II, The Church and the Modern WorldThe Church and the Modern World, 1965, #78, 1965, #78

Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings. upon right order among human beings.

Peace is richly and appropriately called "an Peace is richly and appropriately called "an enterprise of justice“enterprise of justice“ - Is. 32:17- Is. 32:17

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of Godbe called sons of God - Matt 5:9- Matt 5:9

When peace is not When peace is not possible what do we do?possible what do we do?

Just War TheoryJust War Theory

Just WarJust War "The Church's teaching on war and peace "The Church's teaching on war and peace

establishes a strong presumption against war establishes a strong presumption against war which is binding on all; it then examines when which is binding on all; it then examines when this presumption may be overridden, precisely in this presumption may be overridden, precisely in the name of preserving the kind of peace which the name of preserving the kind of peace which protects human dignity and human rights" protects human dignity and human rights" (Gaudium et Spes, #70).(Gaudium et Spes, #70).

Modern Catholic teaching has pretty much Modern Catholic teaching has pretty much restricted the use of violent force to resistance to restricted the use of violent force to resistance to another's aggression. This is a just cause.another's aggression. This is a just cause.

However making a case for a just cause is just the However making a case for a just cause is just the beginning of the process.beginning of the process.

Just WarJust War Competent authority: Competent authority:

any decision to go to war must be made by the any decision to go to war must be made by the person or persons who are duly empowered to person or persons who are duly empowered to act on behalf of the common good.act on behalf of the common good.

Comparative justice: Comparative justice: this refers to the need to determine which side this refers to the need to determine which side is sufficiently right in its complaint about the is sufficiently right in its complaint about the other sideother side

Right intention: Right intention: closely linked to just cause, this criterion calls closely linked to just cause, this criterion calls for scrutiny of the motivation for warfor scrutiny of the motivation for war

Just WarJust War Last resort: Last resort:

all reasonable peaceful alternatives must be all reasonable peaceful alternatives must be tried before taking up armstried before taking up arms

Probability of success: Probability of success: although often hard to assess, the idea is to although often hard to assess, the idea is to avoid senseless or irrational use of forceavoid senseless or irrational use of force

Proportionality: Proportionality: this refers to some calculation of whether the this refers to some calculation of whether the good to be obtained by war outweighs the good to be obtained by war outweighs the harm which will be causedharm which will be caused

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