Catholic Social Teaching :The Common good

Lesson By the end of the lesson the students will understand: What is meant by Catholic Social Teaching (CST) What the seven components of CST are How this is supported by the life and ministry of Jesus How this relates to our life and work today

The common Good put into action The Common Good is when the Golden Rule is put into action in the world. The Common Good is a Catholic Social Teaching. (CST)

Catholic Social Teaching The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Modern Catholic Social Teaching began with Pope Leo XIII in 1891. When he issued his Pastoral Letter: On the Condition of the Working Class. (Rerum Nervarum) Catholic Social Teaching applies the Gospel to bring about social justice and social love for all people. Essential part of the Christian mission.

Catholic Social Teaching   CST is the Catholic Church’s doctrine (stance) in matters of: Poverty and wealth Economics Social organization The role of the state

THE seven PRINCIPALS There are seven fundamental principles of the Church’s Social Teaching. They are: The Dignity of the Human Person The Common Good/Solidarity Care for God’s Creation Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Call to Family, Community, and Participation Dignity of Work and Rights for Workers Rights and Responsibilities

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING CST tells us how to love our neighbour in all our social relationships, in all the groups and structures of society. Matthew 25: 35-45 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. This scripture applies to all the groups of society as well as individuals.

Where did they come from?

THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON We are created in God’s image and God loves us. We are called to recognize in others God’s image and love. We must respect each persons human dignity and their rights and choices as a person. Or, as Pope John Paul II wrote: You cannot be in proper relationship with God, with out being respectful of the dignity of each person whom God loves infinitely.     Our God-given dignity as human persons with human rights comes from having been created by God and being capable of knowing, loving and glorifying God, unlike all other earthly creatures. We are all children of the one God. We are brothers and sisters to each other. Our respect for each person’s human dignity is the basic principle of Catholic Social Teaching. Our human rights flow from our dignity as human persons.

THE COMMON GOOD Common – applying to each person without exception Good – that which contributes to human flourishing A foundation to all Human Rights. The common good means achieving the conditions that make it possible for all to come to their full potential as persons and to become all that God intends them to be.  

THE COMMON GOOD Refers to all social conditions that make human fulfillment possible. It is made up of three conditions : Respect for the person The social well-being and development of the group as a whole. Peace , the stability and security of just order All Catholics have a mission to work for the common good of society. We do this by bringing gospel values to bear on social issues through social action.

CARE FOR GOD'S CREATIONS Our care of the Earth is a kind of participation in God's act of creating and sustaining the world. We show our respect for the Creator by our care of creation (the planet) We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE How are our most vulnerable members faring in the world? “God’s People” In a society there is a deepening division between rich and poor. CST instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first!

CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize in a society  directly affects human dignity and the ability of individuals to grow in community.  Family and marriage is a central social institution that must be strengthened and supported. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society seeking together the common good and well- being of all.

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS The economy must serve people LETS PAUSE HERE, what does this mean? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1dEqSxkB4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ77o706BfM Our economy right now is set up to serve private interest People that are poor are lazy, those that are rich were motivated and self driven…right? EVERYONE has the same chance…right? 2nd video

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS There must be dignity in work and rights for workers. People have the right to decent and productive work, fair wages, private property and economic initiative.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Human dignity and community can be achieved if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Duties and responsibilities must be met to one another, to our families, and to the larger society help to achieve this as well.

SOLIDARITY Solidarity is much more than charity. It is the application of treating the other as another self. Think: Golden Rule! It is looking at another person and not turning away Rather taking an active interest in the origin of his or her condition (put yourself in someone else’s shoes) Pope John Paul stated: “God has created us to live in solidarity. This means to live in union with one another, supporting one another, committed to the common good, the good of all and each individual, because we are all responsible for all.” (John Paul II: Social Concerns of the Church 38.4) We are all our brothers and sisters’ keepers. We are one family. This leads to choices that promote and protect the good of all. Pope John Paul’s description of solidarity tells us what a family, parish, school or any organization should be like: the members supportive of one another, concerned for the needs and good of all.