Social Teachings of the church

The Social Teachings of the Church

• a body of doctrine developed over time by the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization, and the role of the state.

• uphold the family as a sacred and essential institution, emphasizing the importance of marriage, the rights and responsibilities of parents, the dignity of children, and the need for society to support families in their vital role.

• It provides a moral framework for creating a just society.

Core Principals

1. Dignity of the Human Person

2. Common Good

3. Subsidiarity

4. Solidarity

5. Participation

6. Stewardship of Creation

7. Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

8. Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Dignity of the Human Person

Every person is created in God's image and likeness and has inherent dignity. This is the foundation of all social teaching. Human dignity is the basis for human rights and responsibilities.

Common Good

Social conditions that permit people to reach their full human potential and to realize their human dignity. It requires respect for the person, the social well-being and development of the group, and peace and security.

Subsidiarity

A community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions. Instead, the higher order should support the lower order and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good.

Solidarity

We are one human family, regardless of national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are called to work for peace and justice in the world, marked by sharing and concern for others, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Participation

All people have a right to participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. Barriers that prevent people from participating should be removed, and opportunities for participation should be increased.

Stewardship of Creation

We are called to protect the environment and use its resources responsibly for the benefit of all, including future generations. The goods of the earth are gifts from God, intended for the benefit of all.

Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. The dignity of work is safeguarded when workers' rights are respected. These rights include the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

The moral test of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the first claim on our personal and social resources. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who identified himself with the poor.

Rerum Novarum

• Pope Leo XIII (The thirteen) addressed the conditions of industrial workers, defending their rights to fair wages, safe working conditions, and the formation of unions.

First Encyclical

Rerum Novarum

Pope Leo XIII

made rerum novarum in 1891

Quadregismo Anno

• reiterated the principles of Rerum Novarum and introduced the principle of subsidiarity.

Second Encyclical

Quadregismo Anno

Pope Pius XI

made quadragesimo anno in 1931

Mater et Magistra

• addressed global economic inequality and the need for developed nations to assist developing nations.

Third Encyclical

Mater et Magistra

Pope John XXIII

made Mater et Magistra in 1961

Gaudium et Spes

• addressed a wide range of social issues, including poverty, justice, peace, and the role of the Church in the modern world.

Fourth Encyclical

Gaudium et Spes

The Second Vatican Council's document

made Gaudium et Spes in 1965

Populorum Progressio

• focused on the development of peoples, emphasizing the need for integral human development that addresses material, cultural, and spiritual needs.

Fifth Encyclical

Populorum Progressio

Pope Paul VI

made Populorum Progressio in 1967

Laborem Excercens

• reflected on the dignity of human work, emphasizing its subjective dimension and the rights of workers.

Sixth Encyclical

Laborem Excercens

Pope John Paul II

made Laborem Excercens in 1981

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis

• addressed global solidarity and the structural sins that contribute to poverty and injustice.

Seventh Encyclical

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis

Pope John Paul II

made Sollicitudo Rei Socialis in 1987

Centesimus Annus

• commemorated the 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, reflecting on the collapse of communism and the challenges of building a just society in the post-Cold War era.

Eighth Encyclical

Centesimus Annus

Pope John Paul II

made Centesimus Annus in 1991

Caritas in Veritate

• addressed issues of global development, social justice, and the role of charity in addressing poverty and inequality in an increasingly interconnected world.

Ninth encyclical

Caritas in Veritate

Pope Benedict XVI

made Caritas in Veritate in 2009

Laudato Si’

• focused on care for the environment, linking it to the care for the poor and calling for integral ecology.

Tenth Encyclical

Laudato Si’

Pope Francis

made Laudato Si’ in 2015

Application of the social teachings

1. Individual Action

2. Social Justice

3. Advocacy

4. Education

Individual Action

• Individuals are called to live out these principles in their daily lives by practicing charity, working for justice, and advocating for the poor.

Social Justice

• Promoting policies and practices that uphold human dignity, protect the common good, and promote solidarity.

Advocacy

• Working to change unjust structures and systems that perpetuate poverty and inequality.

Education

• Educating others about the Social Teachings of the Church and inspiring them to take action.

Fair Wages and Workers' Rights

• Action: Catholic organizations advocate for living wages, paid sick leave, and safe working conditions.

• Example: Supporting legislation that increases the minimum wage or protects the rights of workers to organize and form unions.

Care for the Environment

• Action: Implementing sustainable practices, promoting renewable energy, and advocating for environmental protection policies.

• Example: Catholic parishes installing solar panels, organizing community clean-ups, and supporting policies to reduce carbon emissions.

Support for Immigrants and Refugees

• Action: Providing assistance to immigrants and refugees, advocating for just immigration policies, and promoting integration.

• Example: Catholic Charities offering legal services, language classes, and resettlement assistance to refugees, and advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.

Affordable Housing

• Action: Building and supporting affordable housing initiatives, advocating for policies that address housing shortages, and assisting the homeless.

• Example: Catholic organizations partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for low-income families, and advocating for increased funding for housing assistance programs.

Healthcare Access

• Action: Supporting policies that expand access to healthcare, providing healthcare services to the uninsured, and advocating for healthcare reform.

• Example: Catholic hospitals providing charity care to low-income patients, and advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and other healthcare programs.

Education for All

• Action: Supporting Catholic schools, advocating for equitable funding for public education, and providing scholarships and educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.

• Example: Catholic schools offering tuition assistance to low-income families, and advocating for policies that promote educational equity.

Peace and Nonviolence

• Action: Promoting peace through dialogue, advocating for arms control, and supporting nonviolent conflict resolution.

• Example: Catholic organizations engaging in interfaith dialogue to promote understanding and cooperation, and advocating for diplomatic solutions to international conflicts.

Food Security

• Action: Supporting food banks, community gardens, and programs that address hunger and malnutrition.

• Example: Catholic parishes organizing food drives, volunteering at food banks, and supporting policies that combat food insecurity.

Criminal Justice Reform

• Action: Advocating for alternatives to incarceration, supporting rehabilitation programs, and working to end the death penalty.

• Example: Catholic organizations providing legal assistance to prisoners, advocating for sentencing reform, and supporting programs that help former inmates reintegrate into society.

Global Solidarity

• Action: Providing aid to developing countries, advocating for fair trade policies, and supporting international development initiatives.

• Example: Catholic Relief Services providing humanitarian assistance to communities affected by natural disasters, and advocating for policies that promote sustainable development.

Deuteronomy 15:4

"However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you."

• This verse emphasizes the ideal of a society without poverty and the responsibility to care for those in need.

Care for the Poor and Vulnerable bible verses

1. Deuteronomy 15:4

2. Leviticus 19:9-10

3. Deuteronomy 24:19-21

Leviticus 19:9-10

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God."

• This law ensures that the poor have access to food and resources.

Deuteronomy 24:19-21

"When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."

• This law provides for the needs of the vulnerable.

Justice and Righteousness bible verses

1. Micah 6:8

2. Isaiah 1:17

Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

• This verse summarizes the essence of God's expectations: justice, mercy, and humility.

Isaiah 1:17

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

• This verse summarizes the essence of God's expectations: justice, mercy, and humility.

Sabbath and Jubilee Years bible verses

1. Exodus 23:10-11

2. Leviticus 25

Exodus 23:10-11

"For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest their crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove."

• The Sabbath year provides rest for the land and sustenance for the poor.

Leviticus 25

• This chapter outlines the laws for the Jubilee year, including the return of land to its original owners and the freeing of slaves, promoting economic equality and justice.

Old testament verses

1. Deuteronomy 15:4

2. Leviticus 19:9-10

3. Deuteronomy 24:19-21

4. Micah 6:8

5. Isaiah 1:17

6. Exodus 23:10-11

7. Leviticus 25

New testament verses

1. Matthew 22:39

2. Luke 10:25-37

3. Matthew 25:31-46

4. Luke 6:20-21

5. Luke 4:18-19

6. James 5:1-6

7. Luke 3:11

8. Acts 2:44-45

9. Acts 4:32-35

Love of Neighbor bible verses

1. Matthew 22:39

2. Luke 10:25-37

Care for the Poor and Marginalized bible verses

1. Matthew 25:31-46

2. Luke 6:20-21

3. Luke 4:18-19

Matthew 25:31-46

• The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats teaches that our salvation is tied to how we treat the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned.

Luke 6:20-21

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh."

• Jesus identifies with the poor and promises them blessings.

Luke 4:18-19

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

• This passage from Isaiah, quoted by Jesus, outlines his mission to uplift the marginalized

Justice and Economic Fairness bible verses

1. James 5:1-6

2. Luke 3:11

James 5:1-6

• This passage condemns the rich who exploit workers and accumulate wealth unjustly.

Luke 3:11

"John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.'"

• John the Baptist calls for practical sharing and economic justice.

Community and Sharing

1. Acts 2:44-45

2. Acts 4:32-35

Acts 2:44-45

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."

• This passage describes the early Christian community's commitment to sharing resources and caring for one another.

Acts 4:32-35

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had...and there were no needy persons among them."

• This passage further emphasizes the communal sharing and care for the needy in the early church.

Specific social teachings about family

The Church views the family as the fundamental unit of society and emphasizes its importance for the well-being of individuals and communities.

Core Principles Related to Family

1. The Nature of the Family

2. The Importance of Marriage

3. The Rights of the Family

4. The Role of Parents

5. The Dignity of Children

6. The Family and Society

The Nature of the Family

• The Church teaches that the family is a divine institution, established by God from the beginning of creation.

• It is based on the marriage between one man and one woman, which is a lifelong, exclusive, and loving partnership open to the procreation and education of children.

The Importance of Marriage

• Marriage is seen as a sacred covenant that reflects the love between Christ and the Church.

• It is intended to be a permanent and faithful union that provides stability and security for the couple and their children

The Rights of the Family

• The family has inherent rights that must be protected by society and the state. These rights include:

  • The right to freely choose one's state of life (including the right to marry or remain single).

  • The right to establish a family and to have the means to support it.

  • The right to the protection of the stability of the marriage bond and the institution of the family.

  • The right to the religious freedom and education of children.

  • The right to physical, social, political and economic security, especially for poor and sick families.

  • The right to housing suitable for family life.

  • The right to expression and to representation, either directly or through associations, before the economic, social and cultural public authorities and lower bodies.

The Role of Parents

• Parents have the primary responsibility for the education and upbringing of their children.

• They are called to be the first educators in faith, teaching their children about God and the values of the Gospel.

• Parents should provide a loving and supportive environment that fosters the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of their children.

The Dignity of Children

• Children have a right to be born, loved, and raised in a stable family environment.

• They should be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

• Society has a responsibility to support families in their role of raising children.

The Family and Society

• The family is the foundation of society, and a healthy society depends on strong and stable families.

• The state should enact policies that support and strengthen families, such as providing economic assistance, affordable housing, and access to healthcare and education.

• Families have a responsibility to participate in the life of society and to work for the common good.

Specific Teachings from Church Documents

1. Familiaris Consortio

2. Amoris Laetitia

Familiaris Consortio

one of the specific teachings from the Church Document

• dedicated to the role of the Christian family in the modern world. It emphasizes the importance of marriage and family life, the rights and responsibilities of parents, and the need for society to support families.

Pope John Paul II

an apostolic exhortation,one of the specific teachings from the Church Document, made in 1981 by ______

Amoris Laetitia

One of the specific teachings from the Church Document

• focuses on the beauty and challenges of love in marriage and family life. It affirms the Church's teaching on marriage and family while also offering pastoral guidance and support for families in complex situations.

Pope Francis

an apostolic exhortation, of the specific teachings from the Church Document, made in 2016 by ___

Marriage Preparation

The Church emphasizes the importance of thorough marriage preparation to help couples understand the nature of marriage and prepare for the challenges of family life.

Family Ministry

Many parishes offer programs and support groups for families, providing resources and opportunities for fellowship and growth

Advocacy

• Catholic organizations advocate for policies that support families, such as tax credits for families with children, affordable childcare, and parental leave.