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Religious leaders

are people who have authentic discernment who guide, direct or influence others (A priest, pope, rabbi, imam or monk) through leadership and live by faith by excising their leadership through different structures and processes

Religious structure

The organised systems or ways things are arragnged to help soemthing work properly (the structure of the catholic church includes the pope, bishop , priests and lay people

Religious belief

something a religion holds to be true about life, God, the world or people

Religious teaching

Lesson or message based on a belief, usually taught by religious leaders or texts

Religion

A system of beliefs and practices that guides how people live. They vary in insights and understandings about life which are expressed through religious beliefs, teachings and practices and vary in aspects of their religion

Second vatican council (1962-1965)

A ecumenical council whihc updated the churchs approach to the modern world, promoted mass in local languages instead of latin and encouraged dialogue with other religions.

Social justice teachings

The church’s strong positions on climate change, poverty and workers’ rights (laudato si’)

Use of technology

the church spreads its message though social media, livetream masses and online catechism

catholic functions

The various roles, such as responsibilities and practices within the Catholic Church. The functions are teaching and safeguarding the christian message, providing for the growing holiness of believers and governing the church in jesus’ name

To teach

To be the principal teacher in the diocese and preach the world of god to the people in the diocese and by teahings others to teach in his name, namely priest, teachers, catechists and others, teach the truth

To sanctify

to ensure that sacraments are administered and to ordain priests to serve in the diocese and to travel around the diocese to administer the sacrament of confirmation and to confirm

To Govern

to meet the needs of the local community (material, social, personal and spiritual) and training and supplying priests for parishes as well as ensuring church laws are being observed. A bishoop has the power to make the church laws and judge in church matters.

Tradition (capital T)

The unchanging core teachings of the Catholic Church passed down from Jesus and the apostles, such as the Trinity and the sacraments.

tradition (lowercase t)

Customs or practices that have developed over time in the Church, like certain prayers, music, or use of candles, which can change with culture and time.

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, held by the Pope and bishops, responsible for safeguarding and explaining the teachings of Jesus.

Synod

A gathering of bishops (and sometimes laypeople) to discuss important issues in the Church and decide how to respond, often resulting in official Church documents.

Slavery

The practice in which one person owns another person, treating them as property with little to no rights.

Intrinsically Evil

In Catholic teaching, something that is morally wrong by its very nature and can never be justified (e.g., slavery).

Sicut Dudum (Pope Eugene IV)

Condemned enslavement of Canary Islands’ people; demanded freedom within 15 days.

Sublimis Deus (Pope Paul III)

A papal bull issued by Pope Paul III in 1537 declaring the enslavement of indigenous peoples “null and void” and describing enslavers as allies of the devil.

In Supremo (Pope Gregory XVI

An 1839 papal bull by Pope Gregory XVI reiterating opposition to slavery and forbidding the defence of the slave trade.

Pope Leo XIII’s Anti-Slavery Declarations

Statements in 1888 and 1890 forcefully condemning slavery and urging its abolition, especially in South America and Africa.

Canon Law (1917) on Slavery

Official Catholic Church law specifying that selling a human being into slavery or for any evil purpose is a crime.

Abolition

The act of ending or legally prohibiting slavery.

John Wesley

Methodist preacher who campaigned against slavery and supported abolitionist efforts.

Slave Trade Act (1807)

British law that abolished the slave trade within the British Empire.

Slavery Abolition Act (1833)

British law that ended slavery throughout most of the British Empire.

Atlantic Slave Trade

The large-scale, systematic trading and transport of enslaved Africans to the Americas from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Modern Slavery

The ongoing illegal exploitation of people through forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of servitude, affecting millions globally.

Human Trafficking

The illegal trade of humans for purposes such as forced labour, sexual exploitation, or slavery.

Ownership of people

Enslaved individuals were treated as the property of their owners, with no legal rights or personal freedom.

Slavery

The practice in which one person owns another person, forcing them to serve and treating them as property with little to no rights.

Indentured Servitude

A system where a person agrees to work for a set period in exchange for passage, housing, or other needs; not technically slavery but often exploitative.

Ancient Greek Slavery

A system where captured men were often killed while women and children became domestic slaves; later warfare increased the need for agricultural slaves.

Roman Empire Slavery

A sophisticated slave system involving captives from inside and outside the empire; slaves could be in domestic service, skilled roles, agriculture, mining, or gladiator combat.

Manumission

The granting, earning, or purchase of a slave’s freedom, dependent on the owner’s will and conditions.

Middle Ages Slavery

In Western Europe, slavery continued but was less systematic; captives, criminals, and debtors could be enslaved, and Vikings actively traded slaves.

Atlantic Slave Trade

The large-scale capture, transport, and sale of Africans to the Americas, a lucrative but brutal system from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Abolition

The movement to end slavery and the slave trade, gaining momentum in the 18th century and resulting in legal bans in various nations.

Modern Slavery

Contemporary forms of slavery affecting millions worldwide, including forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, and sexual exploitation.

Debt Bondage

A form of slavery where people are forced to work to repay debts, often with interest that makes repayment impossible, trapping families for generations.

Forced Marriage

A modern slavery practice where individuals are made to marry without consent, often involving exploitation and abuse.

Organ Harvesting

The illegal removal of organs from victims, sometimes linked to modern slavery networks.

Human Trafficking

The illegal trade and movement of people for purposes like forced labour, sexual exploitation, or slavery.

Forced Labour

Enslaved people were made to work without pay often in harsh and dangerous conditions such as plantations, min es or households

Loss of human rights and dignity

Slavery denied people their basic human dignity, breaking apart families, restricting movement and removing the ability to make personal choices

Racial and social justificiation

in many contexts, including the transaltanitic slave trade, slavery was justified by racist beliefs and systems that claimed certain group were inferior

Violence and punishment

Enslaved people were often controlled through physical punishment, threats and abuse to maintain obedience

Generational slavery

In many systems, chidlren born to be enslaved people automatically became slaves, continuiing the cycle

Economic dependence

Entire economies, particularly in the americas during theh 17th-19th centruries relied heavily on exploitation of enslaved labour

Denail of education and culture

Enslaved pepople were often prevented from learning to read or write and were discouraged or fobidden from practising their own cultural or religious traditions

How did christians respond to slavery in the US?

Some christians supported it using the bible as evidence whilst oter opposed it as it went against christian teaching that all are made in the image and likeness of god

Supermo Apostolatus

A papal encyclical wirtten by Pope Gregory VI in 1839 during the time of the transalantic slave trade in whcihc Pope Gregory called it a shame to humanity and encouraged all cathlics to stop participating in this activity as it went against christian belief and natural law

Sublmis Dues

Written by pope pal III in 1537 which went against the enslavement and poor treatment of indigenous and african people in america and stating how they are make in God’s image and likeness and deserved human dignity and freedom

Indentured servitude

Working for a set time to repau a debt not always comsidered slavery but cn be exploitative

Ancient civilisations

Slavery common in Greece, Rome, and elsewhere; slaves used for domestic work, agriculture, mining, and as gladiators.

Early Church

Tolerated slavery as part of society; Paul urged fair treatment of slaves and equality in Christ (Gal 3:28, Philemon). Some Christians freed slaves or redeemed them.

Church Fathers

Some (e.g., Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom) condemned slavery outright.

Middle Ages

 Church opposed enslavement of new converts (e.g., Canary Islands, 1435).