CST Notes
Intro Unit to CST
Scriptural Roots - Lesson 1
Where does CST come from?
Old Testament
New Testament
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Rerum Novarum
Old Testament
The Old Testament is the oldest root of CST.
The prophets advocated for the Israelites and discussed societal problems to help the kings of Israel and Judah see truth.
New Testament
CST principles are also found in the New Testament in the teachings and examples of Christ and His life on Earth.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
The CCC is considered a source of CST because it provides the context to apply the teachings of Jesus to modern-day issues.
Rerum Novarum
"On New Things" is a papal encyclical published by Pope Leo XIII in 1891.
It is an open letter that addressed the condition of the working classes at the time.
Genesis 1:26-31
Key verses about creation and mankind's role.
Then God said, “[ai]Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and [aj]let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth."
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that [ak]moves on the earth."
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the [al]surface of all the earth, and every tree [am]which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;
and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that [an]moves on the earth [ao]which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.
And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Discussion Questions
What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
How does God’s creation show justice and solidarity?
When do we see the idea of people changing in Genesis?
How can we treat others with dignity and respect that God has freely given everyone?
God's Love and Human Relationships
God, a Triune life of love, creates the world freely to participate in His love. His love spills over into creating the world. Love is to desire the good of the other.
Four relationships of human beings:
God
Self
Other people
Creation
Stewards of God's Love
Discovering that they are loved by God, people come to understand their own transcendent dignity.
They learn not to be satisfied with only themselves but to encounter their neighbor in a network of relationships that are ever more authentically human.
Men and women who are made “new” by the love of God are able to change the rules and the quality of relationships, transforming even social structures.
They are people capable of bringing peace where there is conflict, of building and nurturing fraternal relationships where there is hatred, of seeking justice where there prevails the exploitation of man by man.
Only love is capable of radically transforming the relationships that men maintain among themselves.
This is the perspective that allows every person of good will to perceive the broad horizons of justice and human development in truth and goodness.
Paragraph 4 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Pod Discussion
Where do we see the love of God present in our daily lives, society, and Churches? Where could it be better?
Definitions
Subsidiarity
Social Justice
Justice
Mercy
Assignment
Something along the lines of roles and responsibilities we can serve here at MCA
Case studies: Lesson 2 Church's call to CST
Acts 2:42-47
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to [a]prayer.
43 [b]Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and [c]signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all the believers [d]were together and had all things in common.
45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread [e]from house to house, they were taking their [f]meals together with gladness and [g]sincerity of heart.
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to [h]their number day by day those who were being saved.
Discussion Questions
How does the Church live out justice and subsidiarity today?
How are we called to be the hands and feet of Christ?
Mercy
Concerned with the present symptoms of a problem.
Looks for immediate fixes.
Seeks to provide help aimed at temporary results.
Requires no change in social structures.
Advocacy
Concerned with underlying causes of a problem.
Looks for long term solutions.
Seeks to provide help aimed at permanent change.
Tries to change social structure.
Saints
St. Vincent de Paul – Charity and justice for the poor
Dorothy Day (Servant of God) – Advocacy and activism for workers' rights
St. Oscar Romero – Speaking against social injustice and defending human dignity
Pod work/discussion: Individual Saint Selection
Each student POD choose one of the following saints (or Servant of God):
St. Vincent de Paul
Dorothy Day (Servant of God)
St. Oscar Romero
Conduct thorough research on the chosen saint's life, focusing on their actions and writings related to social justice.
Identify specific instances where the saint demonstrated the principles of CST.
St. Vincent de Paul: Focus on his organization of charitable works, his advocacy for the poor, and his emphasis on systemic change.
Dorothy Day: Examine her founding of the Catholic Worker Movement, her commitment to voluntary poverty, her advocacy for workers' rights, and her pacifism.
St. Oscar Romero: Study his homilies, his denouncements of violence and injustice, and his unwavering commitment to the poor and oppressed.
Research the historical context in which the saint lived and worked.
CST Connection
Identify at least three specific CST themes that are clearly demonstrated in the saint's life.
Provide concrete examples from the saint's life to illustrate how they lived out each chosen CST theme.
Explain the connection between the saint's actions and the modern interpretation of the CST themes.
Contemporary Application
Identify a contemporary social justice issue that is relevant to the saint's work.
Examples:
St. Vincent de Paul: Modern poverty, homelessness, food insecurity.
Dorothy Day: Workers' rights, immigration, economic inequality.
St. Oscar Romero: Human rights violations, political oppression, violence against the poor.
Analyze how the saint's example can inspire and inform contemporary efforts to address this issue.
Propose specific actions that individuals and communities can take to live out the saint's legacy in the face of this contemporary challenge.
Living out Catholic Social Teaching - Lesson 3
Four Types of Justice
What are the 4 types of justice?
Commutative Justice
Distributive Justice
Legal Justice
Social Justice
Commutative Justice
Known as the justice of exchange.
Calls for fairness in agreements and exchanges between individuals or private social groups.
Requires we respect the dignity of others and responsibly fulfill our obligations.
Distributive Justice
Known as the justice of sharing.
Just distribution of the resources that God intends for us all to use and share.
Governments have the responsibility to make sure that everyone’s basic needs are met.
Legal Justice
Requires citizen's obligations to obey the laws of the larger society.
Example: Following the speed limit.
Social Justice
This justice strives to guarantee the equal rights of all people to contribute in the social, political, and economic institutions of society.
Example: exercising your right to vote or right to free speech.
7 Catholic Social Teachings
Life and Dignity of the Human Person: This principle emphasizes that human life is sacred and that every person has inherent dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Call to Family, Community, and Participation: People have a right and duty to participate in society, seeking the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Rights and Responsibilities: Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: This principle encourages us to imitate Christ's love for the poor by working to create a society where the needs of the poor are always considered first.
Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: Work is an expression of our dignity and an expression of our involvement in God's creation. People have a right to decent work, fair wages, and private property.
Solidarity: Recognizing that we are all part of one human family, we must work together to build a just and peaceful world.
Care for Creation: We are called to be stewards of God's creation, respecting all life and having concern for all people.
Our call to action - Part 1
Research a specific social, economic, and environmental challenges facing New Orleans.
Consider factors such as:
Poverty and income inequality
Housing and homelessness
Environmental issues (e.g., coastal erosion, flooding)
Racial injustice and inequality
Education and healthcare disparities
Immigration and refugee issues
The impact of past disasters (e.g. Hurricane Katrina)
Identify local organizations and initiatives in New Orleans that are working to address these challenges.
Our call to action - Part 2
Develop a proposal for a service or advocacy project that addresses a specific need in New Orleans, grounded in one or more of the CST themes.
Your proposal should include:
A clear description of the problem you are addressing.
A detailed plan of action, including specific activities and timelines.
An explanation of how your project embodies the chosen CST themes.
A reflection on the potential impact of your project.
A plan for how to collaborate with existing organizations.
Consider how you would incorporate the local Catholic Church into your plan.
Grading Rubric
Research (10 points): Depth and accuracy of research on CST and New Orleans issues.
Analysis (10 points): Clear and insightful connection between CST themes and New Orleans challenges.
Proposal (10 points): Feasibility, creativity, and alignment with CST principles.
Presentation/Paper (5 points): Clarity, organization, and effective communication.
Understanding Terms - Lesson 4
Equality vs. Equity
Equality: The state of being equal. All people receive the same benefits and supports.
Equity: Fairness according to need. Individuals are given different supports to make it possible for them to have equal access.
Original Sin & Free Will
Original Sin: A condition shared by humanity in which, motivated by pride and our own ego, we choose to reject God and wound those around us.
Free Will: The power we possess to perform deliberate actions based on our own personal choices.
Inequality in our world
Personal Sin
Personal sin is when we individually choose to violate a moral law or fail to love.
Personal sin comes in 2 types:
Mortal Sin: threaten your option for heaven
Venial Sin: weaken the grace in your soul
Personal sins, in turn, lead to social sins.
Social Sin
Social sins are societal violations of human dignity and the promotion of inequality.
Examples of Social Sin: Racial injustice, world hunger, genocide, etc.
Social sin is also a manifestation of original sin.
Activity
How we see social and personal sin demonstrated today in our society with examples
Unit 2: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Lesson 1: Scriptural Roots
Psalm 139
Key verses:
Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to thee, the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with thee.
For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise thee, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well;
my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance; in thy book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Discussion Questions about Psalm 139
What does it mean to say that God's Spirit and presence are everywhere? How is this different from thinking of God as being only in one specific place (like a church)?
How might this idea of God's constant presence offer comfort or challenge us in different situations?
What does it mean to be "fearfully and wonderfully made"? What aspects of yourself make you feel "wonderful"? What might feel "fearful" in the sense of being awe-inspiring or complex?
John 9
The story of the man blind from birth being healed by Jesus.
Key Ideas:
As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth.
And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”
Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
When He had said this, He spit on the ground, and made mud from the saliva, and applied the mud to his eyes.
and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he left and washed, and came back seeing.
[The pharisees] answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out….
Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.
Discussion Questions about John 9
What were the different reactions of the neighbors to the healed man? Why do you think they reacted this way?
Why were the Pharisees so skeptical and resistant to the idea that Jesus had healed the man? What were their concerns?
What does Jesus' statement, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be displayed in him," reveal about God's purposes in suffering?
What does the mud and washing in the Pool of Siloam symbolize? Why might Jesus have chosen this method of healing?
What does Jesus mean when he says the Pharisees are blind?
How to have Life and Dignity
Everyone is made in the image and likeness of God
It can not be earned
It can not be taken away
Everyone should be treated with respect
Everyone is entitled to the same basic rights and responsibilities
We are called to help others
What is the Bible telling us?
The inherent dignity of every human person stems from being created in God's image.
This dignity is not dependent on any external factors, such as social status, abilities, or achievements.
The Bible calls us to respect and protect human life and dignity in all circumstances.
Pod Discussion
Each pod pick a different scripture passage that helps illustrate that everyone is given human dignity freely.
Lesson 2: Church's Call
Historical Context
During the time of colonization of the New World, indigenous people were treated as lesser and enslaved by European colonists.
Spanish Theologians argued that the indigenous population should be treated with the same dignity and rights of Europeans.
The Pope, in 1537, wrote that the indigenous people, and any one else discovered by Christians, should be treated with dignity, respect, and should not have their property taken away.
Quotes on Human Dignity
“The world exists for everyone, because all of us were born with the same dignity. Differences of color, religion, talent, place of birth or residence, and so many others, cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all. As a community, we have an obligation to ensure that every person lives with dignity and has sufficient opportunities for his or her integral development.” (Pope Francis, On Fraternity and Social Friendship [Fratelli Tutti], no. 118)
“Human persons are willed by God; they are imprinted with God's image. Their dignity does not come from the work they do, but from the persons they are.” (See St. John Paul II, On the Hundredth Year [Centesimus annus], no. 11)
Key Concepts
The Human being is made by and for God, which means each person has an infinite worth and dignity.
God creates each person unique and unrepeatable. There will never be another human being that is identical to another human being.
Every person, regardless of race, status, or ability, shares in an equal dignity.
Any attempt to reduce a human being for their social, political, or economic worth does violence to the dignity of the person.
More Quotes
“Our defense of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection. We cannot uphold an ideal of holiness that would ignore injustice in a world where some revel, spend with abandon and live only for the latest consumer goods, even as others look on from afar, living their entire lives in abject poverty.” (Pope Francis, Rejoice and Be Glad [Gaudete et Exsultate], no. 101)
“Every individual…is intrusted to the maternal care of the Church. Therefore every threat to human dignity and life must necessarily be felt in the very Church’s heart.” (Pope John Paul II, Evangellium Vitae)
Sins Against Dignity
Sins against the dignity of the person take three forms:
The destruction of life because it is seen as non-valuable: abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, and murder.
The reduction of the human being’s worth to a certain characteristic about them.
Prostitution: Reduction of the person to their sexuality.
Slavery and unjust work conditions: Reduction of the person to their manual labor.
The individual or society ignoring the needs of others because it is not their problem.
Ignoring the plight of those who are poor, disabled, or suffering.
The Church works to remind people of their dignity and expose injustices done to human dignity.
Core Belief
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred.
This belief is the foundation of all of the other principles of CST and the moral vision for a society.
Womb to Tomb
The Catholic Church teaches that we should protect the dignity of all life from conception until natural death.
By promoting life from womb to tomb, we are promoting a culture of life!
Questions
What are some Catholic organizations you are familiar with that you feel meet this criteria?
Do we feel the church has a consistent standing on Life and Dignity for all people?
Assignment/Discussion
Something along the lines of researching a Catholic organization that helps protect the life and dignity of all
Find how the church is doing: public policy, education, serving the poor and vulnerable, health care, global AID
Lesson 3: Saints in Social Justice
Saints
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
A Saint who lived out this principle by serving the poorest of the poor and defending the unborn.
St. Peter Claver
A Saint who lived out this principle by serving enslaved population in Columbia and being a witness to love in this situation.
Lesson 4: Living Out Catholic Social Teaching
Modern Topics
Abortion
Euthanasia
Death penalty
Sex trafficking
Human trafficking
Cloning (other genetic selections as well)
Environmental crisis
Human Trafficking
Modern-day slavery:
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. It involves the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion.
It's not just about physical chains; it's about control and manipulation.
Different Types of Trafficking
Sex trafficking:
Forcing someone into commercial sexual acts.
It's important to dispel the myth that this only happens to adults; many victims are minors.
Labor trafficking:
This involves forcing someone to work against their will.
Examples include:
Forced labor in fields or factories.
Domestic servitude.
Construction work.
Myths About Trafficking
Dispelling myths:
It's important to make the following points:
Trafficking happens in all communities, not just in other countries.
Victims can be any age, gender, or nationality.
Traffickers are not always strangers, they can be people the victim knows.
Death Penalty
Violation of Human Dignity:
Church now views the death penalty as an attack on the inviolable dignity of the human person.
Possibility of Error:
Run the risk of executing innocent people, which is irreversible.
Alternatives Exist:
Modern penal systems have effective ways to protect society without resorting to capital punishment.
Life in prison can protect society, and give the criminal a chance to repent.
Arguments Against Death Penalty
Cycle of Violence:
Argue that the death penalty perpetuates a cycle of violence, rather than breaking it.
Focus on Rehabilitation:
Explain the Church's emphasis on rehabilitation and redemption, believing that even those who have committed grave crimes can change.
The teaching of Jesus:
Relate the teaching to Jesus's message of forgiveness, and redemption.
Assignment
Some assignment on these topics
Lesson 5: Catholic Social Teaching Application
What can we do?
Treat everyone with respect: This seems basic, but it means truly valuing every individual you encounter, regardless of their background, beliefs, social status, or any other differences. Practice active listening, empathy, and kindness in your interactions.
Challenge prejudice and discrimination: Speak out against derogatory jokes, stereotypes, and discriminatory behavior you witness. Stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized or mistreated. Be mindful of your language: Use inclusive and respectful language. Avoid terms that dehumanize or demean others.
More Actions
Value the lives of others: Respect the physical and emotional well-being of those around you. Avoid actions that could harm them. Practice forgiveness and reconciliation: Recognize the inherent dignity even in those who have wronged you. Be open to forgiveness and working towards reconciliation. Care for your own well-being: Recognizing your own dignity is crucial. Take care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Key Principles to Remember
Consistency: Living out human dignity isn't a one-time act, but a consistent way of being and acting.
Universality: Human dignity applies to every single person, without exception.
Action-Oriented: This teaching calls us to move beyond simply believing in human dignity to actively working to uphold it.