Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Respect for the Dignity of Every Human Being  Human person’s dignity derives from the fact that each person is created in the image of God

Persons are created in the image of God, the Trinity  Humans are created to be in relationship – first, family then broader relationship of community, local and global

Injustice is rooted in Sin  Humans assert their will over the will of God and the result is Injustice  Lesson of Adam and Eve

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching  1. Life and Dignity of Human Person  2. Call to participate in family and community  3. Rights and Responsibilities of the person, community  4. Option for the poor and vulnerable  5. Dignity of work and rights of workers  6. Solidarity  7. Care of God’s Creation

Scripture and Tradition  Catholic Social teaching is based in Scripture and Tradition  Major Concepts: World filled with Light and Shadow Why is there Suffering? Justice: the Reign of God’s goodness The Compassionate Way of Jesus

World filled with Light and Shadows  Light and Joy/Shadows and Suffering  Response to suffering: do something/do nothing  Do nothing: Hopelessness /Individualism  Do something: Interest in others/Compassion  Compassion moves people to ease the suffering of others; it moves them to love.

Why is there Suffering?  God created human beings in God’s image. God created them good, made to be in relationship, and free.  Sin disrupted humanity’s relationship with God, with themselves, with each other, and with all creation.  Grace, God’s transforming Love, restores the goodness of creation and at the end of time, grace will renew all of creation in a “new heaven and a new earth”.  Grace is the reason Christians can find hope amid suffering.

Justice: the Reign of God’s Goodness  God does not cause suffering, does not want suffering, acts to save people from suffering.  Scripture shows God acting with compassion for the poor, oppressed, weak, and marginalized.  God calls the people to Justice, a loving relationship among humans, God, and Creation.

 Injustice is a condition where humans have put obstacles in the way of the loving relationships intended by God; preventing life from flourishing the way God intends.

The compassionate Way of Jesus  The Incarnation is God’s choice to lead humans out of suffering and death.  Jesus preached the Kingdom of God present on earth, a kingdom of love and justice.  Jesus wanted to turn a society built on selfishness into one built on Love.  The true love of God is shown by loving others.