A. Maher • June 21, 2018

PRINCIPLES of SOCIAL TEACHING and the CATHOLIC CHURCH


1

Principle of ‘The Dignity of the Human Person’

  • Created in the image of God
  • Regardless of any differentiating characteristics
  • Simply being human establishes your dignity

2

Principle of ‘Respect for Human Life’

  • Right to life, from conception to natural death
  • Every stage of development and decline – worthy of respect and protection
  • Respect for the sacredness of life is part of a good and just society

3

Principle of ‘Association’

  • Tradition proclaims, the person is not just sacred but social
  • We organise our families – our politics – our economics – our laws
  • Association gives the individual the capacity to grow
  • Protect dignity and promote good

4

Principle of ‘Participation’

  • People have a right and a duty to participate society, to promote good and protect vulnerable
  • Work – form of continuing participation in God’s creation
  • Basic rights of workers to be protected, fair wage, right to organise and join unions

5

Principle of ‘Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable’

  • We will be judged on how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the homeless
  • WHY? Because the good of society as a whole requires it

6

Principle of ‘Solidarity’

  • We are one human family
  • Solidarity calls on us to respond
  • Not just with charitable works but towards Social Justice

7

Principle of ‘Stewardship’

  • Moral responsibility to look after our environment
  • Stewardship also relates to how we look after our personal health and how we use our talents

8

Principle of ‘Subsidiarity’

  • Responsibilities and limits of government
  • Restrict limits of higher authority only to that which is necessary

9

Principle of ‘Human Equality’

  • Equality of all persons comes from their essential dignity
  • Treating equals equally is one way of defining justice and fairness
  • Social and cultural discrimination in fundamental rights, – not compatible with God’s design

10

Principle of ‘The Common Good’

  • Social conditions allowing people to reach full potential and realise their human dignity
  • Opposite of unbridled individualism
  • Helps maintain balance, harmony and peace among groups, neighbours, regions and nations

From A Lenten Talk delivered by A. Maher on 28 March

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