1. HISTORY OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

2.  SCV.04 explain how Scriptures can be used in analysing and critiquing personal and social situations.  PFV.02 explore the origin and purpose of Catholic social teaching;  CMV.05 apply Church teaching to contemporary ethical and moral issues.  FLV.03 apply related Church teaching to values and practices that promote or undermine relationships and the sacredness of life.  We will be able to identify and describe the historical and cultural evolution of Catholic Social Teaching.

3. What is Catholic Social Teaching?  If we accept that all people have an essential dignity and are called to participate in the community, then we can say that justice is the presence of loving relationships.  Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the way that the Church examines human society in light of the Gospel and tradition for the purpose of guiding Christians to carry on the mission of Jesus in the world.  It is not a single thing but rather an evolving understanding developed and tested in the context of the real world.

4. What is Catholic Social Teaching? Action on behalf of justice…[are a necessary part]… of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. (Justice in the World, 6) The “…mission of compassion is carried out whenever the church makes Christ’s saving action present in word and deed, primarily through the celebration of the liturgy. But it does not end within the walls of church buildings. Having been transformed by Christ…the church is called to bring his saving presence into the world so that all people might be transformed by his love.” (LJP, 44)

5. What is Catholic Social Teaching?  All phenomena, CST included, must be understood within the context of history and culture: interdependent systems theory.  The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away. (Mat 16.1-4)  Jesus recognizes that in order to decide what an appropriate action is, we need to understand the context of history and culture.

6. How does CST develop? What are the signs of the times today, in this time and in this place? Complete the web with observations describing: 1. The Canadian context, and 2. The global context.

7. How does CST develop: Europe in the nineteenth century was the historical context in which CST was catalyzed and clearly articulated for the first time in 1891 with the encyclical, Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labour) by Pope Leo XIII. 19 th Century Europe Capitalism, Industrial Revolution Capitalism, Industrial Revolution Individualism, Utilitarianism Individualism, Utilitarianism Technologism, Industrialization Technologism, Industrialization Liberalism, Socialism, Communism Atheism, Humanism Atheism, Humanism Urbanism, Empiricism Urbanism, Empiricism

8. How does CST develop?  Not only did society change but so did the influence that the Church had in society.  Piety and worship alone were no longer valued in the same way.  People looked to the Church for advocacy and support; to meet their physical as well as their spiritual needs.  For decades, individual Catholics, lay and ordained had been responding to these issues but Rerum Novarum collected them and gave them authority.

9. What does Rerum Novarum say?  Responds to liberal capitalism but rejects socialism/communism.  Focusses on Gospel values and natural law (those principles, universally experienced, that call us to the fullness of creation).  Describes six overarching themes to guide a just society:

10. What does Rerum Novarum say? 1. Cooperation between classes; 2. The dignity of work; 3. A just wage and worker’s associations; 4. The role of the state; 5. Private ownership of property; and 6. Defense of the poor.  Most significantly, RN, established precedent (& responsibility) for the Church to speak on social matters.

11. What is the legacy of Rerum Novarum?  Review the summaries of the14 major documents which followed Rerum Novarum (consider also, Caritas in Veritate) and identify: 1. What is consistent throughout all documents? 2. What might each document highlight? 3. What might be missing from the documents?

12. What is the legacy of Rerum Novarum?  If you were to write the next document on CST for the Church, what might a paragraph summary say?  Consider the signs of the times today;  Consider which social injustices concern you most;  Consider what responses would be most effective;  Consider what past documents have said;  Consider what scripture and holy tradition might say;  Consider how well it might reflect the witness of Jesus. Be prepared to share and submit the paragraph summary.