SEVEN THEMES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS:

FINDING RELEVANCE TO MODERN REALITY

I.

Outline
A.

B.

C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

SEVEN THEMES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS

Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- Commandment against killing
- God places a strong sense of worth on human life
- Mutual respect: Christians must accord to others what they want others to accord them in
return
- Dignity: Respecting the sense of property of others- no stealing, being envious of others, or
coveting anothers partner
Call to Family, Community and Participation
- Fourth commandment: Honor thy father and mother
- Importance and roles of parents in the formation of the morality of every individual
- Importance of strengthening bonds within a community of faith
Rights and Responsibilities
- Natural rights which come with duties and responsibilities
Option for the Poor and the Vulnerable
- Fairness and justice in society
- Protection against prejudice and harassment
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
- Living within ones means
- Moral responsibility to respect worth and dignity of others
Solidarity
- Justice, love and solidarity in a harmonious society.
- Filial love towards others
Care for Gods Creation
- Humans as stewards of creation
- An act of worship to God

II.
Addendum
LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person
is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social
teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of
human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty.
The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls
on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to
prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that
people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or
enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Scripture
Genesis 1:26-31 God created man and woman in his image.
Deuteronomy 10:17-19 God loves the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.
Psalms 139:13-16 God formed each of us and knows us intimately.
Proverbs 22:2 The Lord is the maker of both rich and poor.
Luke 10:25-37 The good Samaritan recognized the dignity in the other and cared for his life.
John 4:1-42 Jesus broke with societal and religious customs to honor the dignity of the Samaritan
woman.
Romans 12: 9-18 Love one another; contribute to the needs of others, live peaceably with all.
1 Corinthians 3:16 You are holy, for You are Gods temple and God dwells in you.
Galatians 3:27-28 All Christians are one in Christ Jesus.
James 2:1-8 Honor the poor.
1 John 3: 1-2 See what love the Father has for us, that we should be called Children of God.
1 John 4:7-12 Let us love one another because love is from God.

MORAL ISSUES
Abortion
"We must begin with a commitment never to intentionally kill," says Living the Gospel of Life "or
collude in the killing, of any innocent human life, no matter how broken, unformed, disabled or desperate
that life may seem."
From both divine revelation and natural law, we know that there is something special about
human life. We are made in the image of God. Protection of human life and dignity is a natural instinct of
all people and stands at the core of Catholic social teaching. The life and dignity of the human person is
foundational to Catholic social teaching precisely because without it, no other rights have meaning.
Life is a gift from God. Our teaching calls for respect for human life in every situation, but
especially for the most vulnerable. Who can be more vulnerable than a preborn child?
Stem Cells, Cloning
Stem cells have been under study for years but there continues to be debate on whether it is
morally acceptable or not. The moral dilemma stems from the fact that the targeted stem cells are the
ones from embryos and harvesting these would kill the embryo.
"The ends cannot justify the means" is a pillar of ethical argument. In this case, the "means" is the
killing of an innocent human life and the "end" is a cure-which to date has not been forthcoming.
"Embryonic stem cells have never treated a human patient, and animal trials suggest that they
are too genetically unstable and too likely to form lethal tumors to be used for treatment any time soon,"
explains the Bishops' statement. On the other hand, alternative research with adult (non-embryonic) stem
cells has lead to treatments that are already available. This and other information on stem cells and
cloning can be found in a short Q&A suitable for use in bulletins and other teaching instances.
Death Penalty
Consistency in the abhorrence of violence is the hallmark of the Church's teaching on the death
penalty. In the Culture of Life and the Death Penalty the U.S. Bishops also point to the fact that statesanctioned killing diminishes us all, the application of capital punishment is flawed and inconsistent, and
that the state has other ways of punishing criminals. They especially call for compassion and care for the
victims and families of the terrible crimes and evil that leads society to use the death penalty.
War, Terror, Genocide
The Church recognizes the presence of evil in the world and the need of nations to sometimes
defend themselves from great evil. "Just war" principles - which are often misused - spell out stringent
requirements before a nation should enter into any armed conflict. War should always be the last resort.
But terror and genocide can never be justified. They are as intrinsically evil as abortion precisely because
they involve the taking of innocent human life.
CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our societyin economics and
politics, in law and policydirectly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in
community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and
strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society,
seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Scripture
Genesis 2:18 It is not good for man to be alone
Genesis 4:8-15 I am my brothers and sisters keeper.
Leviticus 25:23-43 What you own belongs to the Lord and is given for the good of all.
Jeremiah 7:5-7 If you act justly with one another, God will dwell in the land.
Micah 6:6-8 Act justly, love kindness, walk humbly with God.
John 15:12-17 This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.
Acts 2:43-47 Life among the believers.
Romans 12:4-8 We are one body, individually members one of another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 Rouse one another to love and good works.

James 2:14-17 Our faith is dead if we ignore others in need.
1 Peter 4:8-11 Serve one another with the gifts you have received.
1 John 3:16-18 We ought to lay down our lives for one another.
1 John 4:19-21 awrfzsgThose who love God must love their brothers and sisters.
Tradition
Family
The long-range future of a nation is intimately linked with the well-being of families, for the family
is the most basic form of human community. The first and fundamental structure for a "human ecology" is
the family founded on marriage, in which the mutual gift of self as husband and wife creates an
environment in which children can be born and develop their potentialities, become aware of their dignity
and prepare to face their unique and individual destiny.
Community/Participation
But God did not create man as a solitary, for from the beginning male and female he created
them (Gen. 1:27). Their companionship produces the primary form of interpersonal communion. For by
his innermost nature man is a social being, and unless he relates himself to others he can neither live nor
develop his potential.
In order that the right to development may be fulfilled by action: (a) people should not be
hindered from attaining development in accordance with their own culture; (b) through mutual
cooperation, all peoples should be able to become the principal architects of their own economic and
social development.
In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a
moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear
Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, It is necessary that
all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is
inherent in the dignity of the human person. As far as possible, citizens should take an active part in
public life.
Application in our lives
Responsibility to be active participants
o In the lives of our family members
o In our community
o In those lives who are in our community
Called to be active participants
o In our social life
o In our economic life
o In our political life
By using the values of our faith, we must
o Shape our decisions
o Shape our actions
Issues faced by the teaching
Gay Marriage
o The Catholic faith teaches that a marriage should be between a man and a woman
o This is shown in the Bible in the story of Adam and Eve
Racism- Racism has no place in a Christian community, one that is in union with Christ
o Racism can separate a community and a family
o Catholic faith teaches us that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to excel
Defacing of property/graffiti is turning your back on the call to community
o We are called to keep our community a nice and safe place to live
Divorce
o When a marriage doesn't work, some people get a divorce and end the marriage
o Marriage is unity made by God and is therefore unbreakable
o You are supposed to stay with your spouse in good times and bad

o Divorce goes against the beliefs of the Church and separates a family
Abortion
o A baby is a gift from God, and and when a pregnant woman decides to abort her baby
she is going against the Church and turning her back on the call to family
Homeless People
o Homeless people live on the streets and often starve and suffer in extreme temperatures
o They have an extremely hard life and as a community it is our job to protect, cloth, and
feed the homeless

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

RIGHT (Human Rights)
- are moral principles that set out certain standards of human behaviour
RESPONSIBILITY
- ability to response to needs of the society
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can
be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has
a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these
rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Every person has a fundamental right to life the right that makes all other rights possible. Each
person also has a right to the conditions for living a decent life food, health care, housing, education
and employment. We have a corresponding duty to secure and respect these rights for others and to fulfill
our responsibilities to our families, to each other and to our larger society.
Gospel Reference
Genesis 1:26-27
o
"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may
rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,
and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

God made the world and everyone else around us. We need to respect others as
well as ourselves.
Deuteronomy 30:19
o
"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life
and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

All life is precious and should be respected. It is implying that abortion is wrong.
Leviticus 25:35
When someone is reduced to poverty, we have an obligation to help.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth to speak on behalf of those in needs.
Matthew 25: 31-46
Just as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.
We live our lives by a subconscious philosophy of freedom and work. Freedom according to
Natural Law is the empowerment of good. Being free we have responsibilities. With human relationships
we have responsibilities towards each other. Having the right to life must mean that everyone else has a
responsibility towards me. To help sustain and develop my life. This gives me the right to whatever I need
to accomplish without compromising the mission of others, and it lays on others the corresponding
responsibility to help me. All justice is the power of God compensated solely in terms of individual
relationships.
Basic Human Rights
Life
Food
Shelter
Education

Health Care
Employment
Political, Cultural, and Religious Rights

Homelessness
Homeless - A condition implying that a human lacks a regular dwelling place and an adequate
night-time residence
Starvation
Hunger - "A continuous lack of the nutrients necessary to achieve and maintain optimum health,
well-being, and protection from disease."
Malnutrition - A general term used to describe an insufficient diet or nutrition
Starvation - A state of exhaustion due to a lack of food consumption
Illiteracy
Uneducated - Lacking the intelligence of one who has completed school
Illiterate - Having inadequate reading and writing skills
Unemployment
Unemployment
o Occurs when adults are without jobs, but have actively been searching for a job for the
past four weeks or longer
o More than 200 million people worldwide are without jobs.
o Unemployment is the main cause of homelessness and poverty in the United States

OPTION FOR THE NEEDY AND VULNERABLE

Scripture teaches us that God has a special concern for the poor and the vulnerable. The
church calls on all of us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. We were all created equal so we
must also treat each other equal. We shouldnt let the rich become richer and the poor to be poorer.
Fairness and justice must be practiced within our society, balance should be done, mainly to protect the
poor and the vulnerable. The needs of the poor are the priority because they have the most urgent moral
claim on the conscience of the nation. Come to think of it, sometimes we dont get what we want and we
complain about that, but we never thought that some people will never have what we already have. A
fundamental measure of our society is how we care for and stand with our poor and vulnerable brothers
and sisters.
Marginalization

Marginalization refers to a situation in which a person is, through one mechanism or

another, unable to get access to the necessary means to acquire a basic livelihood. In developing
countries this is an acute problem: landless peasants leave rural areas for the city and are unable to find
stable paid work. They live in shanty towns and week out a marginal existence in various ways: as
scavengers in refuse dumps, as street venders, as informal day laborers, and so on.

DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to
make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation. If the dignity of work is to be
protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and
fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
A. VERSES IN THE BIBLE THAT SUPPORT THIS THEME
1. Genesis 2:1-3 God rests on the seventh day.
2. Genesis 2:15 God settles man in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
3. Deuteronomy 5:13-15 The Sabbath is for everyoneall are allowed to rest from their work.
4. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with
others.
5. Deuteronomy 24:14-15 Do not withhold wages from your workers, for their livelihood

depends on them.
6. Sirach 34:20-22 To deprive an employee of wages is to commit murder.
7. Isaiah 58:3-7 To observe religious practices, but oppress your workers is false worship.
8. Jeremiah 22:13 Woe to him who treats his workers unjustly.
9. Matthew 20:1-16 All workers should be paid a just and living wage.
10. Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
11.Luke 3:10-14 Practice integrity in your work.
12. Luke 12:13-21 Ones worth is not determined by an abundance of possessions.
13. James 5:1-6 Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.
B. WHY MAN SHOULD WORK?
1. Work is, as has been said, an obligation, that is to say, a duty, on the part of man.
2. Man must work, both because the Creator has commanded it and because of his own
humanity, which requires work in order to be maintained and developed.
3. Man must work out of regard for others, especially his own family, but also for the society he
belongs to, the country of which he is a child, and the whole human family of which he is a
member, since he is the heir to the work of generations and at the same time a sharer in building
the future of those who will come after him in the succession of history.

C. WHAT CAN WORK DO TO MAN?

Work is a good thing for man-a good thing for his humanity-because through work man
not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfilment as a human
being and indeed, in a sense, becomes "more a human being."
D. THE RIGHT TO WORK
In many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because

a. work opportunities are limited (through unemployment or underemployment), or

b. because a low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it, especially the
right to a just wage and to the personal security of the worker and his or her family.
All people have the right to economic initiative, to productive work, to just wages and benefits, to
decent working conditions, as well as to organize and join unions or other associations.
As the Church solemnly reaffirmed in the recent Council, "the beginning, the subject and the goal
of all social institutions is and must be the human person." All people have the right to work, to a
chance to develop their qualities and their personalities in the exercise of their professions, to
equitable remuneration which will enable them and their families "to lead a worthy life on the
material, social, cultural and spiritual level" and to assistance in case of need arising from
sickness or age.
WHAT IS LABOR OR TRADE UNIONS?

All these rights, together with the need for the workers themselves to secure
them, give rise to yet another right: the right of association, (that is to form
associations for the purpose of defending the vital interests of those employed in the
various professions).

SOLIDARITY

Solidarity is feeling of unity between people who have the same interests and goals. It is
the unity as a group or class that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives and
standards.

Solidarity builds on an understanding of the person as social by nature. No one exists as

an isolated monad. No matter the particulars of our family, culture, or class context, each human person is
formed in and influenced by relationships with other people. While this claim might seem basic and

uncontestable, it leads to a further claim regarding the value of interdependence between individuals and
peoples.

For John Paul II, solidarity as a moral virtue begins with a personal conversion, an interior
attitude, conviction, or commitment. Noting that there are many obstacles to integral development, the
pontiff especially encouraged people to reflect upon and change their spiritual attitudes.

Social Principle of Solidarity

But solidarity is more than an interior disposition. The Compendium also describes
solidarity as a social principle or as a guide for personal and social behavior. Every Christian should
endeavor to more fully develop this personal virtue of solidarity so that one really feels responsible for the
wellbeing of others and not just content to care for oneself. For John Paul II, this personal virtue motivates
one to take personal action. But the true task of solidarity goes beyond individual actions.

For John Paul II, solidarity transforms interpersonal, national, international, and even
cosmological relationships. It leads to an ever-expanding circle of concern that helps the Christian to have
genuine empathy with the suffering of others and to be motivated to work against systems of oppression.

Theology of Solidarity

The theological grounding of solidarity as both virtue and social principle is Christological
at its core: Jesus of Nazareth is the living sign of that measureless and transcendent love of God-with-us,
who takes on the infirmities of the people, walks with them, saves them and makes them one. The
theological dimensions of solidarity emphasize the incarnational view of this vision of discipleship: ones
neighbor becomes the living image of God to be loved even if an enemy, with the same love with which
the Lord loves him or her.

Jesus is the model of solidarity through his teachings, ministry with marginalized peoples,
confrontation with structures of injustice, and ultimately his death and resurrection. The ultimate task of
solidarity for the contemporary Christian is to discern how best to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Strategies for Building Solidarity in Todays World

As Christians whose lives are supposed to be patterned after the love of God poured out
in the life of Jesus, the goal of living in solidarity with others can seem overwhelming. Scholars writing on
this important principle of Catholic social doctrine can give us more to reflect on as we remain vigilant in
our attempts to practice this important virtue and principle.

Engaging the stories of other peoplethrough nurturing new friendships, watching

documentary films, reading a variety of news stories from around the world, and many other wayscan
take us out of ourselves and re-shift the stable ground beneath us. These conversations can help us to
see what we take for granted, and can prod us towards deeper discernment about how the Spirit is calling
us to identify with the concerns of others in a more profound and personal way.

Solidarity is intimately connected with another principle, the preferential option for the
poor. Christians must look at the problems of the social order and their solutions primarily from the
viewpoint of people who are poor and powerless.

Real solidarity begins when it is no longer a matter of we and they because this is how
we generally experience it. It begins when we discover that we all have faults and weaknesses. They may
be different faults and weaknesses according to our different social backgrounds and our different social
conditions and we may have very different roles to play, but we have all chosen to be on the same side
against oppression. Whether were in Europe or South Africa, whether were black or white, whether we
were brought up in a middle class or working class, we can be on the same side against oppression, well
aware of our differences. We can work together and struggle together against our common enemy, the
unjust policies and systems, without ever treating one another as inferior or superior, but having a mutual
respect for one another while recognizing the limits of our own social conditioning.


Genuine solidarity invites each Christian to see ones own good as intimately connected
to the good of another. It means engaging in mutual work, side-by-side with our brothers and sisters
around the world, to promote the full flourishing of each and every person and community. It is a task that
will take us a lifetimeand longerto complete. But that is not a reason to delay.

CARE FOR GODS CREATION

Care for God's Creation is the seventh Catholic Social Teaching theme that calls us to act
as stewards towards what God has created. It teaches us that everything that God has created is
important and we are to show it the respect it deserves. God created everything in his own image and
likeness, and it is a requirement of our faith to affirm that it is in good condition. Care for God's creation is
our responsibility as humans to care for the earth. We can do this by recycling and planting new gardens
to make what God created beautiful. We also have the responsibility to care for the living too. As humans,
we must treat each other as equals and as God's creation. Many people today around the world do not
listen to this and awareness must be brought to this issues.

Some examples of these issues like this are: Human-Trafficking, Slavery, and Murder of
another human. Since we must take care of the other humans who are part of God's creation, we must
take care of ourselves. We must always remember we are a part of God's creation and our body is a
temple and we must respect it. Other things we must respect and care for in God's creation are animals.
Animals are an important part of God's creation and therefore we cannot abuse them and not care for
them.

Important Definition:
Steward- A person who utilizes and manages all resources God provides for the glory of God and
the betterment of his creation

A Few Issues:
1. Homelessness

Homelessness is a major issue in our society today and is sometimes caused by

drug addictions, mental illness, domestic violence, abandonment, poverty, unemployment, etc.
We can work together as Catholics to end this issue by giving money to them and charities that
support them, raising awareness, and possibly, if you knew the person who was homeless, invite
them to stay with you until they can get back on their feet.
2. Starvation

Starvation is a major issue in this theme because when humans are unable to
properly feed themselves, their bodies become malnourished, which can lead to sickness or even
death. We can work to end this issue by donating food or money to charities that feed the hungry,
working in soup kitchens, and raising awareness of this major issue.
3. Abuse

Abuse is a major issue in this theme because when someone is abused they are
not being respected. We can work to end this issue by raising awareness, and making sure we
treat everyone around us with respect.
4. Pollution

Pollution is a major issue in today's society, and it is usually not given the
attention it deserves. People do not realize that it is important to care for all that God has created,
and that polluting is deliberately ruining God's creation. We can work to put an end to this issue
by cleaning up local parks or areas in your community, raising awareness, and joining
organizations that work to prevent environmental issues.

III.

References
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/
http://www.cacatholic.org/index.php/resources/catholic-social-teaching/catholic-social-teaching/
http://thecatholicspirit.com/special-sections/legislative-guide/7-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching/
http://www.cctwincities.org/MajorThemesCatholicSocialTeaching
http://cst2012.wikispaces.com/Call+to+Family%2C+Community%2C+and+Participation
http://cst2012.wikispaces.com/Rights+and+Responsibilities+of+the+Human+Person
http://cst2012.wikispaces.com/Care+for+God's+Creation
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solidarity
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/compendium-commentary-solidarity/