CATHOLIC

SOCIAL

TEACHIN

G :THE

COMMON GOOD

LESSONBy the end of the lesson the

students will understand:What is meant by Catholic Social Teaching (CST)

What the seven components of CST areHow this is supported by the life and ministry of Jesus

How this relates to our life and work today

THE COMMON GOOD PUT INTO ACTION

The Common Good is when the Golden Rule is put into action in the world.

The Common Good is a Catholic Social Teaching. (CST)

The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Modern Catholic Social Teaching began with Pope Leo XIII in 1891.

When he issued his Pastoral Letter: On the Condition of the Working Class. (Rerum Nervarum)

Catholic Social Teaching applies the Gospel to bring about social justice and social love for all people.

Essential part of the Christian mission.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

 

CST is the Catholic Church’s doctrine (stance) in matters of:

Poverty and wealth EconomicsSocial organization The role of the state

THE SEVEN PRINCIPALSThere are seven fundamental principles

of the Church’s Social Teaching.

They are:1. The Dignity of the Human Person2. The Common Good/Solidarity3. Care for God’s Creation4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable5. Call to Family, Community, and

Participation6. Dignity of Work and Rights for Workers7. Rights and Responsibilities

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

CST tells us how to love our neighbour in all our social relationships, in all the groups and structures of society.

Matthew 25: 35-45 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

This scripture applies to all the groups of society as well as individuals.

 

Where did they come from?

THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

We are created in God’s image and God loves us. We are called to recognize in others God’s image and

love. We must respect each persons human dignity and their

rights and choices as a person.

Or, as Pope John Paul II wrote:

You cannot be in proper relationship with God, with out being respectful of the dignity of each person whom God loves infinitely.

 

 

THE COMMON GOODCommon – applying to each person without exceptionGood – that which contributes to human flourishing

•A foundation to all Human Rights.

•The common good means achieving the conditions that make it possible for all to come to their full potential as persons and to become all that God intends them to be.  

THE COMMON GOOD Refers to all social conditions that make human

fulfillment possible. It is made up of three conditions :1. Respect for the person2. The social well-being and development of the group as

a whole.3. Peace , the stability and security of just order

All Catholics have a mission to work for the common good of society. We do this by bringing gospel values to bear on social issues through social action.

We show our respect for the Creator by our care of creation (the planet)

We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.

Our care of the Earth is a kind of participation in God's act of creating and sustaining the world.

CARE FOR GOD'S CREATIONS

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE How are our most vulnerable members

faring in the world? “God’s People”

In a society there is a deepening division between rich and poor.

CST instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first!

The person is not only sacred but also social.

How we organize in a society  directly affects human dignity and the ability of individuals to grow in community. 

Family and marriage is a central social institution that must be strengthened and supported.

We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society seeking together the common good and well-being of all.

CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION

The economy must serve people

LETS PAUSE HERE, what does this mean?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1dEqSxkB4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ77o706BfM

Our economy right now is set up to serve private interest

- People that are poor are lazy, those that are rich were motivated and self driven…right?

- EVERYONE has the same chance…right? 2nd video

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF

WORKERS

There must be dignity in work and rights for workers.

People have the right to decent and productive work, fair wages, private property and economic initiative.

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF

WORKERS

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Human dignity and community can be achieved if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.

Every person has a fundamental right to

life and a right to those things required for human decency.

Duties and responsibilities must be met to one another, to our families, and to the larger society help to achieve this as well.

SOLIDARITY Solidarity is much more than charity. It is the application of treating the other as another

self. Think: Golden Rule!

It is looking at another person and not turning away Rather taking an active interest in the origin of his or

her condition (put yourself in someone else’s shoes) Pope John Paul stated: “God has created us to live in

solidarity. This means to live in union with one another, supporting one another, committed to the common good, the good of all and each individual, because we are all responsible for all.” (John Paul II: Social Concerns of the Church 38.4)