Catholic Social Justice:

An Overview

THE SOCIAL
MISSION OF THE
CHURCH

CONTEMPORARYtoday(21st century)
MISSION- saving
souls(1Tim. 2:4)
SITUATION- brokenness

Change is happening very fast.

We live in a planetary society or global city.
So much progress in science and technology.
There is a shift from homosapiens to technosapiens.
Our mission must be different and should make a
difference because we are in a world that is
different.
Our mission to uplift morality today must be done with
bold humility. We must be brave, strong and yet
humble.
.

Theology is life not anymore a faith seeking

understanding.
You cannot stop the modern technology of information.
Internet does not expect borders. We have to join the
21st century in our mission .
For the church to continue to exist in the 21st century
she must not remain inward looking but also outward
looking.
Globalization is something to be addressed. It cannot be
stop so we continue with our mission to shape the
world and morality.
Secularization is an independence of culture from
religion which means that we have a new God and that
God is science. Statistically, according to CBCP survey
only 7 percent from 10% goes to church today because
of secularization.
We have to discover a theology of science and
technology.

In globalization theres no more boundaries,

so we do not other the others, do not
descriminate the others. Remain being a
good catholic, let them be attracted by
your charity, your lived faith. Dont convert
them . Let them be inspired by your life and
God will convert them.
Vatican II says all religions are ways to God.
Therefore dont make a fence, dont look
down at other religions.

UNDERSTANDING THE
SOCIAL MISSION OF THE
CHURCH TODAY
In her work of
evangelization, the Church
cannot play deaf to the
great problems of the world
Part of her evangelizing
mission is to teach and
spread the Social Doctrine
of the Church

Social Doctrine of the Church

Inculcates a commitment to justice

THE SOCIAL MISSION OF

THE CHURCH
The core of the Churchs social
mission is to save man in his totality.

PROBLEMS OF TODAYS WORLD

Structural
aspect

Moral aspect

Concerned with the

oppressive social
structures that block
mans total integral
liberation

refers to the
adherence to unjust
concepts and
principles about man
and society, i.e.
prevalence of
inhuman values

THE SOCIAL MISSION OF

THE CHURCH
The Church aims to
correctly form the
peoples conscience
The Church offers values
and principles that must
be respected in a humane
society

THE SOCIAL MISSION OF

THE CHURCH
The Church examines the signs of times and interprets
them in the light of the Gospel and makes moral
judgments on economic and social matters
She condemns abuses, injustices and attacks against
freedom
She struggles for the defense and advancement of the
rights of mankind, esp. of the poor and the oppressed

 the cross of an unhappy distinction of

being the most unsafe country in Asia.
unsavory international distinction of
having the most corrupt civil service and
the most inefficient bureaucracy.
economic deprivation is very glaring.
power is concentrated to a few
the cross of cultural underdevelopment
wrong sense of gratitude and pakikisama.

RESPONSE OF THE PHILIPPINE

CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Church adopts the
stance of constructive
critical collaboration with
civil authorities
The Church desires to
work for cultural change
There is an urgent need of
renewal of both the morals
and morale of the people

RESPONSE OF THE PHILIPPINE

CATHOLIC CHURCH
CBCP proposed five (5) areas of conversion
among the Filipinos:
1. A commitment to the common good above
personal and family interest
2. A commitment to honesty and integrity in public
service
3. An understanding of the destination of the goods
of the earth for all, and of the social dimension
of the right to property
4. Conversion from the consumerist mentality and
5. A profound understanding of the value of human
work

Social change requires adjusting

the social order to the standards
of Christianity!

The Philippine Church envisions a Filipino

society

that is pro human person, pro country,

and pro God (Maka tao,
Maka bayan, at Maka Diyos)

APPROACH: Contextual Approach

CHRISTO-CENTRIC APPRAOCH:
FAITH
must be translated into
ACTION

FILIPINO REALIZATION
our country, together with the
rest of the world, is now in the
midst of crisis.

FACES OF CRISIS
poverty,
injustices,
war,
calamities, soaring prices of
basic
commodities,
transportation
and
fuel,
maltreatment and abuses, etc.

IS THIS A REAL
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?

THE CHURCH DREAMS OF INDIVIDUAL

MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE:

ALIVE AND LIFE-GIVING

FREE AND FREEING
RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE
LOVING AND LOVABLE
CARING AND COMMUNITY MINDED

OVER AND ABOVE ALL

THIS:
The Church dreams of people becoming
persons reflecting Gods image in themselves,
their actions, their beings.
The Church also dreams of a community

that:
1. speaks and listens,
2. a community that discerns and decides
together in implementing their decisions,
3. prays and celebrate their joys and sorrows
together,
4. honestly looks at what they had done and
failed.

SUMMARY OF PCPII:
MAKATAO
MAKABAYAN
MAKADIYOS
MAKA-KALIKASAN

GOAL OF THE CHURCH:

To make all people,
Christians or nonChristians, live in the
spirit of charity, peace,
justice and equality and
with respect of the
whole creation.

ACTIVITY
1.Think about the present situation of the
community where you live in and the situation of
our country, then, answer, the following
questions. (Give at least 2 characteristics for
each.)
a. When will your community be a real
community of faith?
b. When will the Philippines be a happy home for
us Filipinos?
2. After answering the questions above, draw a
symbol that depicts your dream community.

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

- The gospel proclaims that human beings
are made in the image and likeness of
God
- Made in a divine image, we are endowed
with a human soul with two great
powers
1.) Intellect
2.) Free will

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

1.) Human Intellect

Enables us to
recognize and
understand Gods
command to do good
and avoid evil

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

2.) Free will

Enables us to choose
good with the guidance
of our conscience and to
obey Gods law of love

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

- Original sin has weakened us, inclining us to commit
evil by making bad judgments and choosing
lesser goods
________________________________________
Malnutrition is responsible for the death of over five
million children per year
Nearly three billion people, live on
less than $2.00 per day
Over 46 million babies have been
aborted in the U.S. since Roe vs.
Wade

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

Catholic Social Justice Teaching
- The church doctrine (teaching) attempts to
understand how societies work
- It makes moral judgements about economic and
social matters in light of revealed truth

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

Flows primarily from the life
and words of Jesus Christ

Catholic Social Justice

Rooted in teachings of the
Hebrew prophets

Your Catholic Faith & Social Justice

- Aspects of Catholic Social Justice
Teaching
1.) It gives us principles for
reflection
2.) It provides criteria for
judgment
3.) It gives guidelines for action

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Sharing Catholic Social Teaching
- Purpose is to alert Catholics that the Churchs
teaching on social justice is an essential part of our
faith
- The wheel of justice presents the principles of
Catholic social justice.
Our ultimate destination is Gods kingdom
Along the way there are obstacles
The principles on the wheel need to
be applied to smooth out the road that
leads us to God

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Wheel of Justice
Stewardship

Solidarity
Work &
Workers

8
7

Option for 6
the Poor

1
Human
Dignity

Common
Good

Respect
for Life

3 Family

4
Rights &
Duties

Community
Participation

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

1.) Principle of Dignity of the Human Person

- Every person deserves respect

- Our dignity does not come from
what we do or what we have, it
comes from being Gods
special creation

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

2.) Principle of Respect for Human Life
- Every stage of a humans life is precious and worthy
of our respect and protection
3.) Principle of the Call to Family, Community,
& Participation
- People have a right and duty to
participate in society seeking
together the common good and
well-being of all

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

4.) Principle of Rights and Responsibilities
- The essential, fundamental right is the right to life
- Every person has the right to the necessities that
make for human decency
Faith
Food and Shelter
Education
Health care

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

5.) Principle of the Common Good
- Social conditions that permit people to reach their
full human potential and to realize their human
dignity
- Essential elements
1.) Respect for the person
2.) Social well-being and
establishment of the group
3.) Peace and security

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

6.) Principle of the Preferential Option; Love for
the Poor and Vulnerable
- Poor and Vulnerable are our brothers and sisters
- They deserve respect, the protection of their rights,
and justice
7.) Principle of Dignity of Work;
Rights of Workers
- Economy must serve the people, not the
other way around
- Workers rights

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

8.) Principle of Solidarity
- We need to commit ourselves to the common good
- We must work for peace and justice in the world
marked by violence and war
9.) Principle of Stewardship
- We respect our loving Creator by
being good stewards of the
earth

How Christians View the Human Person

-Our view of how humans should act
depends on how we see ourselves
-If we see ourselves created
in Gods image, then we
know we are called to
reflect all the qualities of
the Creator

How Christians View the Human Person

- Foundation of Catholic Social Teaching is that each of us is made

in Gods image:
Each human being has tremendous dignity
Each human being is a child of God
We are special in Gods eyes
We have rights and responsibilities
We have a spiritual nature
God made us for himself
We possess freedom; we must use it responsibly
We are social beings
We image God best when we love one another
God made us co-creators with him
We are wounded by sin and inclined to evil and error

How Christians View the Human Person

- Jesus has much to reveal to us about
who
we are and how we should
treat each
other
- We are saved through Jesus passion,
death and resurrection
-We are to be compassionate
like Jesus

Our Rights as Humans

Right

a claim we can make

on other people and on
society so we can live
a full, human life.

Our Rights as Humans

Universal rights the rights are for
every human being
Inviolable rights these rights are
untouchable because they come from
God
Inalienable rights these
rights are inherent and
beyond challenge

Our Rights as Humans

Peace on Earth
- Named the fundamental human rights:
Right to Life
Moral and Cultural Rights
Right to Worship God
Right to Choose Freely Ones State of Life
Economic Rights
The Right of Meeting and Association
The Right to Emigrate and Immigrate
Political Rights