Key Principle of Catholic Social Teaching

Human Dignity

Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision for society.

The principle of human dignity is grounded in the idea that the person is made in the image of God. The person is the clearest reflection of God among us. We are required to honor the human person, to give priority to the person

Community and the Common Good

In a culture driven by excessive individualism, our tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social. Human dignity can only be realised and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society.

How we organise our society, in economics and politics, in law and policy, directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. The obligation to "love our neighbor" has an individual dimension, but it also requires a broader social commitment. Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the good of the whole society, to the common good.

Rights and Responibilities
Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency-starting with food, shelter and clothing, employment, health care, and education.


Option for the Poor and the Vulnerable

A basic moral test of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation.

The obligation to evaluate social and economic activity from the viewpoint of the poor and the powerless arises from the radical command to love one's neighbor as one's self.
The option for the poor is an essential part of society's effort to acheive the common good. A healthy community can be acheived only if it's members give special attention to those with special needs, to those who are poor and on the margins of society.


Participation
All people have a right to participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. it is fundamental demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity that all people be assured a minimum level of participation in the community.
It is wrong for a person or a group to be excluded un fairly or to be unable to participate in society.

Dignity or Work/Rights of Workers

The economy ust serve the people, not the other way around. All workers have a right to productive work, decent and fair wages and to safe working conditions. They also have a fundamental right to organise and join unions.

People have a right to economic initiative and private property, but these rights have limits. No one is allowed to amass excessive wealth when others lack the basci necessities of life.

Stewardship of Creation

Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. The goods of the earth are gifts from God, intended for the benefit of all.

We humans are not the ultimate owners of these goods, but rather, the temporary stewards. We are intrusted with the responsibility of caring for these gifts and preserving them for future generations.

Global Solidarity

Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. Solidarity means that "loving our neighbour" has global dimensions in an interdependent world.

John Paul II has called solidarity a virtue. It is the virtue, he says, by which we demonstrate "a firm and perservering determination to commit oneself to the common good...because we are all really responsible for all."

Constructive Role for Government

Becausewe are social beings, the state is natural to the person. Therefore, the state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good.

One of the key functions of government is to assisst citizens in fulfiling their responsibility to others in society. Since, in a large and complex society these responsibilities cannot adequately be carried out on a one-to-one basis, citizens need the help of a government in fulfilling these responsibilities and promoting the common good.

Promotion of Peace

Pope John Paul II, "Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collabration and binding agreements."

1.       List the 5 issues social justice aims to cover

5 social justice issues that social justice aims to cover are;

·         Poverty

·         Child Labour

·         Refugees

·         Homelessness

·         Hunger

2.       In your own words explain what is meant by human dignity

Human dignity is believing that everyone is of worth and that have self-respect. Every human is made in God’s image and made by God.

3.       What is meant by a moral vision for society?

Aiming to do well for all levels in society.

4.       Which of the 5 social justices relates to human dignity?

All of the above issues relate to human dignity.

5.       Give an example of a community that you are part of.

Stella Maris College community

6.       How is this community both Sacred and Social?

Stella Maris College is a catholic girl’s school and we uphold the catholic faith. It is social because of our connection with our friends here.

7.       What is the major test of a moral society?

How a community treats their most vulnerable members of society.

8.       In what way does our community look after the poor?

Vinnies, Salvos, Red Cross, World Vision, Caritas, Medicare, soup kitchens, meals on wheels, mission beat and the church.

9.       What are every human’s fundamental rights?

Every human has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency-starting with food, shelter and clothing, employment, health care and education.

10.   What is the role of the government in maintaining human rights?

To promote human dignity, protect human right and build the common good.

11.   Who is responsible for assisting the government to achieve its goals?

All people are responsible by voting.

Poverty Reduction

A summary of the issue

Imagine.......being so hungry that you have already eaten the seeds for next years planting, not knowing where your next meal will come from. Not having a roof over your head and nowhere to go. Being really sick and not being able to see a doctor. Your family and friend around you are dying from preventable dieses but you cannot afford to help them. Not being able to bury your dead.  You cannot read or write because you cannot go to school and you have no hope of getting a job. You are powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom with no hope of change. Living your life one day at a time.  This is poverty.

There are different levels of poverty.  Poverty at a national level means a country may have insufficient economic resources to invest in education, health, infrastructure, political and legal systems and public institutions, which can lead to instability and civil unrest. This is not fair and injust. In developed countries, deep and persistent poverty is a serious social problem but is less widespread than in developing countries. Poverty is often concentrated in certain segments of society, mostly defined by region, by age, or by social group.

Poverty occurs in different countries for many different reasons.

·       Lack of education is one main reason that poverty exists in such countries like Africa. Families that lack education often cannot afford to send themselves or their children to school. This leads to being illiterate and makes it extremely difficult to find a job and make a living.

·        Other reasons that poverty occurs are that many people are unable to work (handicapped) and have to rely on others for everyday needs.

·       Natural disasters are a huge cause of poverty as cyclones and fires can destroy crops and houses and these are the necessities that victims need to survive each day.

·       Corrupt governments are a cause of poverty in countries like Zimbabwe. These governments are significant causes for civil wars and this leads to crops, land and houses being destroyed.

What can be done about the issue?

Poverty is a worldwide issue but it can be resolved. There are many charity groups that are trying to reduce poverty such as make poverty history, caritas, Oxfam, world vision and lots more. These charities raise money to help people in poverty in 3^rd world countries. At Christmas time many charities have programs that people can buy things like goats, chickens, blankets, mosquito’s nets and lots more this is one way that poverty can be reduced or reduced.

There are thousands of different charities that are taking part and helping to end poverty. One of these includes- Make Poverty History- MPH is an Australian government organization that works towards abolishing Poverty. MPH raises money and collects unwanted but usable items and gives them to poverty struck countries over the world. You can help in different ways including donating money and unperishable foods, blankets and clothes that you no longer need, volunteering to help for various organizations and buying from stores such as Oxfam who give the money earned to help end poverty.

By Jessica Collings and Lucy Chen

Lady Justice

Lady Justice is the Roman Goddess of Justice. She is depicted as a graceful lady wearing a blindfold, carrying scales and holding a sword.

The blindfold- Lady Justice wears a blindfold to represent that every one is equal and that justice is blind.

The scales- She also carries a pair of scales. The scales symbolises the balance of every body and that no one is above anyone else. They also possess the ability to weigh sides of a situation to see which is the truth.

The sword- The sword she carries represents power and authority of the people deciding the case. It is also a means of punishment for the dishonest and the guilty.

Social Justice Issues

• Abuse and vandalising of human rights
• Education- In some parts of the world people can not afford or are not allowed to go to school.
• Work- Woman in some countries are not permitted to work and therefore can not make a living.
• Poverty
• Discrimination such as racism
• Sexism
• rights for homosexuality

What Is Social Justice

A fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural laws conforming to the natural law, that all persons irrespective of race, religion, gender, origin and possession, are treated equally and without prejudice